ISLAMABAD — The government of Pakistan has started the process of blocking more than 4.9 million mobile SIM cards issued against expired or invalid Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs). The Ministry of Interior directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to take action following recommendations from NADRA.
According to officials, SIMs registered with canceled, expired, or deceased individuals’ CNICs will be blocked in phases to ensure smooth implementation. This step aims to strengthen security and prevent misuse of mobile connections linked to invalid identities.
SIMs linked to CNICs expired since 2017 will be blocked by June 30, while those registered with CNICs that expired between 2018 and 2025 will be blocked gradually by December 31. This phased approach will help manage the large volume of SIMs efficiently.
In the first phase, SIMs registered on CNICs expired in 2018 will be blocked by July 31, those from 2019 by August 31, and from 2020 by September 30. The second phase will cover SIMs linked to CNICs expired in 2020 by October 31 and those from 2022 by November 30.
Finally, all SIMs linked to CNICs expiring in 2023, 2024, and 2025 will be blocked by December 31. The government urges mobile users to update their CNICs to avoid service disruption and maintain communication continuity.
This large-scale SIM blocking campaign reflects Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to improve mobile network security and curb illegal usage, contributing to national safety and better telecom management.