ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has admitted to the leaking of the personal data of passengers.

Informing the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, the PTA revealed that travel agents and civil aviation personnel leak the data of the passengers even before they reach the mobile registration counters.

The leaked passport number and ID card number of the passengers are used to register mobile phones in their name. When wanting to register their mobile phone at the airport, the passengers come to know that there are mobile phones are already registered in their names.

The passengers are then bound to pay customs duty on mobile phones.

The PTA has been receiving hundreds of complaints in the regard.

The PTA informed the committee that the case has been referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The government of Pakistan had earlier launched the online registration system with the help of Customs and PTA. The online registration system became operational from February 15.

The passengers are required to enter details of their travel documents, passport and travel history to register their mobile phones online.

Similarly, one free phone allowed to the passengers to bring to Pakistan can also be registered online.