As part of an extensive step to ensure digital responsibility, the federal government has initiated a phased action to suspend over 4.9 million mobile phone SIMs booked against expired or canceled Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs).
The decision was taken by the Ministry of Interior based on recommendations made by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), and is being executed by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
A total of 4,906,611 SIMs are registered against CNICs which have not been renewed or which are of deceased persons, according to official statistics.
These SIMs will be deactivated uniformly in phases, based on the year the CNIC had lapsed. The step is intended to stop the misuse of mobile networks with fake or dormant identities, a move regarded as essential to strengthen national security.
The operation will have its first phase targeting SIMs associated with CNICs which expired in 2017 and will be blocked by June 30, 2025. SIMs on CNICs which expired in 2018 will be blocked from July 31, while those associated with CNICs for 2019 will be blocked by August 31.
Furthermore, the procedure will repeat every month, with SIMs linked with CNICs that expired in 2020, 2021, and 2022 being blocked on September 30, October 31, and November 30 respectively.
At the last step, all mobile SIMs provided on CNICs which expired in 2023, 2024, and 2025 will be blocked till December 31, 2025. This deadline gives users sufficient time to update their CNICs and not face any interruption in mobile services. The Ministry of Interior requested citizens to verify and update their identity records in a timely fashion.
The government informs that the campaign would be instrumental in making Pakistan’s digital environment secure by preventing identity fraud and only allowing verified users access to telecommunication services.
