ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a directive to all Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) to halt the sale of SIM cards nationwide during late-night hours, specifically from 12:00 AM to 6:00 AM.
The move aims to strengthen regulatory oversight and curb the illegal distribution of SIMs. Under the new guidelines, all authorized points of sale—including franchisees and retail outlets must strictly adhere to these time restrictions.
PTA cautioned that any breaches of these instructions will lead to stringent legal consequences and regulatory actions in accordance with telecom laws. Citizens are advised to purchase SIMs only from authorized vendors within the permitted hours and to ensure biometric verification is completed prior to activation.
Previously, the PTA issued a warning to mobile users to keep their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) current and valid, as SIMs linked to expired, canceled, or deceased CNICs are being systematically blocked to bolster digital security.
The authority urged the public to renew their CNICs through NADRA to prevent service interruptions. It emphasized the importance of maintaining up-to-date personal information with mobile operators and activating CNICs via NADRA to ensure continuous connectivity and secure communication.
Earlier, NADRA announced that it would immediately deactivate SIMs registered against invalid or expired CNICs. This decision was made during a high-level meeting led by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at NADRA headquarters.
The initial phase will see the blocking of all SIMs registered with CNICs that expired in 2017 or earlier. In subsequent phases, the policy will extend to SIMs linked to CNICs canceled after 2017. Only valid and active CNICs will be eligible for SIM issuance and renewal.
NADRA’s chairman clarified that the crackdown specifically targets SIMs issued to deceased individuals and those linked to expired identity documents, aiming to enhance national security and prevent misuse.
