SIM to be issued after biometric verification

E-Paper | May 01, 2026

RAWALPINDI: Cellular companies have been directed to stop activation of the subscriber’s identification modules (SIMs) on old pattern from July 31.

According to a notification issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), SIMs can be activated after biometric verification from August 1.

“From August 1, SIM sale and customer service activities throughout the country will only be possible through company-owned customer service centres, franchises and authorised retail outlets equipped with biometric verification machines.”

It has been learnt that the mobile companies would open important business centres (not franchises) to accommodate their customers during Eid holidays.

The PTA informed citizens that SIM activation by dialing 789 (including pre-sale short messaging service (SMS) through retailers) will stop on July 31.

The buyer would provide thumb impression on the biometric device for online verification with Nadra and then the SIM will be delivered to him.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2014

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Faisal Shahzad

Jul 29, 2014 11:48am

It's a great idea.

Recommend 0

ashfaq ahmad

Jul 29, 2014 11:53am

Ironic that no thumb verification in election.

Recommend 0

nondigital

Jul 29, 2014 03:44pm

And the all biometrics along with corresponding sim numbers will be obediently submitted to NSA, CIA etc. In due course.

Recommend 0

BRR

Jul 29, 2014 05:27pm

Which really means, in this part of the world, a few thousand rupees will let you circumvent this verification and get you a card regardless.

Recommend 0

khalid

Jul 29, 2014 07:30pm

Good idea, so frauds from Pakistan will stop calling me in Bahrain trying to sell something or rip me off in some way. At least now I can take the number and complain to someone in Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Moiz Omar

Jul 29, 2014 09:28pm

Good move.

Recommend 0

mike ghaous USA

Jul 30, 2014 07:20am

so pakistan moves one step froward instead of going back to stone age, good news. Hope IDPs register with biometric IDs.

Recommend 0

umar

Jul 30, 2014 04:24pm

At last, a long overdue step taken by government; nevertheless, its better late than never.it will go a long way towards countering terrorism through placing a curb on fake sims. Moreover, crimes like kidnapping for ransom will become somewhat easy to investigate

Recommend 0

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