Govt Will Block Almost 5 million SIMs Sold on Expired CNICs

The federal government has initiated a staged operation to block over 4.9 million mobile phone SIMs issued against canceled or expired Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) in a significant effort to enhance security and ensure digital accountability.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is carrying out the directive, which was issued by the Ministry of Interior in response to suggestions made by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

Official data points out that 4,906,611 SIMs are registered under CNICs that are presumably non-renewable or belong to those who have since passed.

Depending upon the year the CNIC had expired, these SIMs will be automatically taken out. In order to strengthen national security, the action attempts to stop possible abuse of mobile networks by using fictitious or dormant identities.

By June 30, 2025, SIMs that were associated with CNICs that expired in 2017 will be disconnected as a result of the initial phase of the operation. SIMs linked to 2019 CNICs will be prohibited by August 31; SIMs registered on CNICs that expired in 2018 will be deactivated by July 31.

SIMs linked to CNICs that expired in 2020, 2021, and 2022 will block by September 30, October 31, and November 30, respectively, as part of a monthly process.

In the last phase, by December 31, 2025, all mobile SIMs issued on CNICs that expired in 2023, 2024, and 2025 will be blocked. Users have an excessive amount of time to renew their CNICs all throughout this time frame, and mobile services will not be interrupted at all.

Citizens were asked by the Ministry of Interior to promptly update and confirm their identity information.

According to officials, the campaign is going to be very important in safeguarding the digital ecosystem of Pakistan by lowering the theft of identity as well as guaranteeing that only those who are authenticated customers have access to telecom services.

Authorities urged the public to regenerate expired CNICs as quickly as they can for the convenience of public and to guarantee continuous mobile connectivity.