Pakistan has initiated a phased crackdown on over 4.9 million mobile SIM cards registered under expired, cancelled, or deceased citizens’ identity cards, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) announced on Tuesday.
The move, directed by the interior ministry, instructs the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to enforce NADRA’s recommendations in an effort to prevent the misuse of mobile networks through invalid or fraudulent identities.
A NADRA spokesperson confirmed that 4,906,611 SIMs will be gradually blocked, targeting IDs that were never renewed or belonged to deceased individuals. The blocking process will follow a scheduled timeline:
- June 30, 2024 – SIMs linked to IDs expired in 2017
- July 31 – IDs expired in 2018
- August 31 – IDs expired in 2019
- September 30 – IDs expired in 2020
- October 31 – IDs expired in 2021
- November 30 – IDs expired in 2022
- December 31 – IDs expired in 2023, 2024, and 2025
NADRA stated that the measure is intended to “strengthen national security and ensure a more secure digital ecosystem.” Citizens are advised to renew their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) promptly to avoid service disruptions.
This step is part of broader efforts to enhance regulatory compliance and curb illegal SIM usage across the country.
