LAHORE, Oct 21: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will now introduce the New SIM verification system on Jan 31 next year. Earlier, the authority had announced that the system would be introduced forthwith.

Under the system, the subscribers’ data will be first verified through National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) and then the SIMs will be activated. The PTA has taken the decision after taking all mobile phone operators into confidence.

Earlier, on the instruction of the interior ministry, the PTA had announced it was implementing the new system forthwith. However, it is learnt that the authority has extended the date on the request of the operators.

“From Jan 31 onwards non-active mobile SIMs will be activated only after the verification of consumer data from Nadra, subsequently the sale of pre-activated SIMs will also be stopped,” the PTA said.

The operators have blocked some 10.5 million unverified connections so far. Some 7.9 million of them were unregistered. “According to the policy, 10 mobile connections can be issued against one CNIC and on this account 2.6 million SIMs have been blocked and the remaining will be either regularised or blocked by Oct 21,” the PTA said and added unverified connections sold up to Aug 31, 2008, would also be blocked by Oct 21.

The PTA is also conducting a survey to check violation of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) next month. In case of any violation, the authority will issue a show cause notice and impose fines on the mobile companies.