ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): In a significant step towards enhancing security and ensuring digital accountability, the federal government has initiated a phased operation to deactivate over 4.9 million mobile phone SIMs distributed against expired or canceled Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs).
The instruction was issued by the Ministry of Interior, based on the recommendations of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), and is being implemented by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
As per official statistics, 4,906,611 SIMs are listed against CNICs that were either not renewed or belonged to deceased persons.
These numbers will be deactivated automatically in phases, according to the year the CNIC has lapsed. The action is intended to avoid misuse of mobile services using fictitious or dormant identities, a measureregarded as pivotal in enhancing national security.
The operation will begin with the blocking of SIMs associated with CNICs that expired in 2017 by June 30, 2025. SIMs on CNICs that expired in 2018 will be blocked by July 31, and those associated with 2019 CNICs will be blocked by August 31.
This exercise will be repeated every month, where SIMs linked to CNICs expiring in 2020, 2021, and 2022 would be blocked by September 30, October 31, and November 30, respectively.
In the last phase, all mobile SIMs provided on CNICs expiring in 2023, 2024, and 2025 will be blocked on December 31, 2025. This will give customers a sufficient time frame to update their CNICs and ensure there is no halt in mobile service. The Ministry of Interior has also encouraged citizens to update and confirm their identity records on a timely basis.
The authorities have said that the campaign will be crucial in ensuring Pakistan’s digital environment by limiting identity fraud and only allowing confirmed users access to telecommunication services. The public has been informed to renew CNICs that have expired to prevent inconvenience and ensure undisturbed mobile connectivity.
