Pakistan to Block SIMs Linked to Expired IDs in Major Security Overhaul

News Desk
Islamabad: The Federal Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, has announced a series of significant reforms aimed at enhancing identity security and expanding citizen services across Pakistan.
In a high-level meeting at NADRA headquarters, Minister Naqvi revealed the immediate blocking of mobile SIMs registered on expired or cancelled identity cards as the most critical measure.
In the first phase, all SIMs linked to identity cards issued in 2017 or earlier will be blocked without delay. Subsequent phases will extend this policy to all SIMs registered on cancelled or expired ID cards, regardless of their issuance date, ensuring that only valid and active IDs are used for mobile SIM registration.
The Minister also laid the foundation stone for a new 10-storey NADRA Mega Center in Sector I-8, Islamabad. Scheduled for completion by June 2026, this center will consolidate multiple services under one roof, streamlining the registration and verification process for citizens.
NADRA Chairman Lt. Gen. Muhammad Munir Afzal informed the meeting that, in cooperation with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), SIMs registered in the names of deceased persons or linked to expired IDs are being identified and blocked to curb misuse.
He further highlighted the security risks posed by various government and private entities storing citizens’ biometric data in isolated databases, which increases the chances of data leaks and identity theft.
To address this, NADRA plans to introduce facial recognition technology to complement fingerprint verification. This technology will especially benefit elderly citizens and others with worn fingerprints.
Minister Naqvi set a deadline of December 31, 2025, for the nationwide rollout of facial recognition technology. All government departments have been instructed to discontinue independent biometric data storage and instead use NADRA’s centralized, verified database.
The Interior Minister also announced the expansion of NADRA services to 44 new tehsils and union councils previously lacking such facilities.
By June 30, 2025, all 31 union councils in Islamabad will have access to NADRA services. Additionally, new NADRA regional offices will be established in Multan, Sukkur, and Gwadar to improve service delivery in southern and remote regions.
Recognizing the needs of overseas Pakistanis, Minister Naqvi directed officials to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to identify countries with high demand for NADRA services, aiming to enhance access and convenience for the diaspora.
During the briefing, NADRA Chairman detailed the organization’s progress over the past year, including the establishment of 87 new registration centers and 417 additional service counters. The federal government amended the NIC Rules 2002 to bolster identity protection, updated child and family registration certificates to reduce fraud, and introduced advanced biometric verification methods combining facial recognition and iris scans.
NADRA’s mobile app, PAK ID, has crossed 7 million downloads and recently added features like “Proof of Life” submissions for pensioners and online renewal of federal arms licenses, further advancing NADRA’s digital transformation goals.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and senior NADRA officials also attended the event.
These initiatives mark a major step forward in modernizing Pakistan’s identity management system, enhancing public service delivery, and strengthening national security.