KARACHI: Mobile phone users across Pakistan have been advised to review their identity and SIM registration details to prevent possible disruption of services, following a fresh advisory from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.
Regulators say action is being taken to curb misuse linked to outdated or unverified records. According to the PTA, mobile connections may be blocked if SIM cards are registered against expired, cancelled or deceased individuals’ Computerised National Identity Cards.
The National Database and Registration Authority has also urged citizens to confirm that their CNICs remain valid. SIMs linked to invalid or expired identity documents, or to individuals who have passed away, are at risk of suspension.
To avoid inconvenience, citizens have been encouraged to renew expired CNICs through the PakID Mobile app, NADRA Registration Centres or nearby eSahulat franchises. Families are also advised to formally cancel CNICs of deceased relatives and follow PTA procedures to transfer or deactivate SIMs issued in their names.
Officials say these measures are aimed at ensuring uninterrupted access to mobile and other essential services while preventing the misuse of SIMs for criminal, fraudulent or terrorist activities.
In a related directive, the PTA has warned that SIM cards remaining inactive for six months may also be blocked. Telecom operators are authorised to deactivate numbers that show no calls, SMS or internet activity for 180 consecutive days.
Once a SIM is suspended due to inactivity, the number may be reassigned to another user. After reallocation, the previous subscriber will not retain any legal claim to the number.
Users have been urged to keep their SIMs active and ensure their identity records are up to date to avoid deactivation or permanent loss of their mobile numbers.
JAMAL
Please pta