Pakistan to block 4.9 million SIMs issued on expired CNICs

ISLAMABAD: The government has initiated a phased crackdown to block more than 4.9 million mobile SIMs issued on expired, cancelled, or deceased individuals’ Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs), a spokesperson for National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) said on Friday.

On NADRA’s recommendation, the Ministry of Interior has directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to deactivate such SIMs in stages to curb the potential misuse of mobile networks through fake or inactive identities.

Also read: PTA blocks 200 illegal VPNs, over 27,000 mobile SIMs

According to the plan, SIMs registered on CNICs that expired in 2017 will be blocked on June 30, 2025, followed by those from 2018 on July 31, and 2019 on August 31.

SIMs issued on CNICs that expired in 2020 will be deactivated on September 30, 2025.

The process will continue with SIMs linked to CNICs that expired in 2021 and 2022 being blocked on October 31 and November 30, respectively.

SIMs tied to CNICs that expired in 2023, 2024, and 2025 will be deactivated by December 31, 2025.

A total of 4,906,611 such CNICs have either not been renewed or belong to deceased individuals, the NADRA spokesperson said.

Officials said the move is aimed at strengthening national security and enhancing the reliability of Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.

The NADRA has urged citizens to renew their CNICs to avoid disruption of their mobile services.