In a sweeping effort to tighten digital security and curb identity misuse, the federal government has unveiled a multi‑phase operation to deactivate nearly 5 million mobile SIM cards registered to expired Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs). The initiative, announced at a high‑level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, aims to ensure that all active SIM connections in Pakistan are tied to valid, up‑to‑date identification.
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Phase I: Targeting Pre‑2017 Expired CNICs: Under the first phase, SIMs issued against CNICs that expired in 2017 or earlier will be blocked immediately. The Ministry of Interior, working closely with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), has instructed all mobile operators to suspend these connections without delay. This move is expected to affect approximately 4.9 million SIMs nationwide.
Subsequent Phases: Widening the Net: After clearing the backlog of pre‑2017 expirations, the campaign will extend to CNICs that have expired since 2018, followed by CNICs cancelled due to deaths or fraud. Officials say this phased approach will allow telecom companies to manage the technical and customer‑service challenges of verifying identity documents on a massive scale.
Driving Digital Accountability: Minister Naqvi emphasized that blocking inactive or invalid SIMs is crucial for preventing criminal exploitation—including phone‑based scams, terrorism financing, and identity fraud. “By ensuring every mobile connection is anchored to a live CNIC, we will vastly improve traceability and deter misuse,” he stated during his visit to NADRA headquarters.
Complementary Reforms: In parallel, Naqvi directed NADRA to roll out facial recognition technology nationwide by December 31, 2025, replacing fingerprints for identity verification in remote regions. He also laid the foundation stone for a 10‑storey NADRA Mega Centre in Islamabad’s Sector I‑8, slated for completion by June 2026, to expand biometric services to 44 additional tehsils and union councils.
Impact and Compliance: Affected subscribers will receive notifications via SMS and email, with a 30‑day window to update their CNIC information through NADRA’s online portal or local centers. Failure to regularize their status within this period will result in permanent suspension of their SIM connections.
This comprehensive crackdown underscores the government’s resolve to modernize Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, safeguard citizen data, and maintain the integrity of the national telecom network.
