By The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has made a major announcement regarding the blocking of illegal mobile SIM cards, marking a significant step in its efforts to curb the misuse of telecommunications services in the country.
According to the PTA, all SIM cards issued on canceled identity cards will be blocked starting August 16. In addition, SIM cards that are currently active on the identity cards of deceased individuals will be deactivated by October 15. This measure aims to prevent unauthorized use of mobile services and enhance security.
To minimize inconvenience for legitimate users, the PTA has clarified that customers will have the opportunity to restore their SIM cards through biometric verification after obtaining new identity cards from NADRA. The PTA has emphasized that this process is necessary to ensure that mobile services are linked to valid and up-to-date identification.
Moreover, the PTA has also decided to block mobile SIM cards that were issued on identity cards that have expired since 2017. Customers have been given a deadline of September 2 to renew their identity cards to avoid deactivation of their SIMs. To ensure that affected customers are informed, the PTA has already sent alerts to those whose SIMs are at risk of being blocked. The authority is also planning to launch a broader awareness campaign to educate the public about these changes.
In cases where SIMs are registered on the identity cards of deceased individuals, the PTA has outlined a procedure for transferring ownership. Customers will be required to provide original death certificates and proof of kinship to have the SIMs transferred in their names. The PTA has sought data from NADRA regarding expired and canceled ID cards, as well as information about deceased individuals, to facilitate this process.
In a related development, a recent audit report by the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has uncovered significant irregularities in the recruitment practices of the PTA, leading to a financial loss of over Rs45 million. The AGP’s annual audit report for the fiscal year 2023-24, focusing on the telecommunications sector, revealed that the PTA engaged in illegal recruitment during the financial year 2022-23.
The report highlighted that the PTA hired one IT officer and two assistant directors at its headquarters without corresponding positions, in direct contravention of established service rules. These recruitments were made despite the lack of relevant posts, leading to the payment of Rs45.9 million in salaries and allowances in violation of regulations. Furthermore, the audit revealed that the recruitment process did not adhere to the advertised criteria, raising concerns about transparency and fairness in the PTA’s hiring practices.
The AGP’s findings have prompted calls for greater accountability within the PTA and the implementation of stricter oversight measures to prevent such irregularities in the future. The revelations have also sparked a broader debate about governance and transparency within Pakistan’s regulatory bodies, with stakeholders urging the government to take swift action to address these issues.
As the PTA moves forward with its plan to block illegal SIM cards and address the audit’s findings, it faces the dual challenge of maintaining public trust while ensuring that its actions are both effective and equitable. The coming months will be crucial in determining the success of these initiatives and their impact on the telecommunications landscape in Pakistan.
