ISLAMABAD: An enhan­ced version of the biometric verification system has been designed to thwart the sale of fake SIM cards.

The Multi-Finger Biome­t­ric Verification System (MBVS) will be used by telecom companies to verify users’ identities before issuing a new SIM. A contract was signed be­­tween Nadra and telecom ope­rators at PTA headquarters on Friday.

The move was necessitated by scammers who had managed to bypass the older biometric system designed to identify users before issuing SIM cards.

The old biometric verification devices used by the sales departments of all network providers — Jazz, Uf­­o­ne, Tel­enor and Zong — have been upgraded to meet the requi­rements of the new system.

Officials believe the new system will make it impossible to get a new SIM card using fake fingerprints.

The new system will require impressions of multiple fingers for authentication — as opposed to only a thumb impression in the old system — before issuing a new or duplicate SIM card.

The system will ask for impressions of two separate fingers randomly, a move aimed at minimising human control over the system.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Slow start
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Slow start

Despite high attendance, the NA managed to pass only a single money bill during this period.
Sindh lawlessness
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Sindh lawlessness

A recently released report describes the law and order situation in Karachi as “worryingly poor”.
Punjab budget
15 Jun, 2024

Punjab budget

PUNJAB’S budget for 2024-25 provides much fodder to those who believe that the increased provincial share from the...
Budget and politics
Updated 14 Jun, 2024

Budget and politics

PML-N, scared of taking bold steps lest it loses whatever little public support it has, has left its traditional support — traders — virtually untouched.
New talks?
14 Jun, 2024

New talks?

WILL this prove another false start, or may we expect a more sincere effort this time? Reference is made to the...
A non-starter
14 Jun, 2024

A non-starter

WHILE the UN Security Council had earlier this week adopted a US-backed resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza...