Mobile phone users across Pakistan have been advised to verify their identity records to avoid suspension of services, following an advisory issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

According to the PTA, mobile services can be blocked if SIM cards are registered against national identity cards that have expired, cancelled, or belong to deceased individuals. The regulator said the measure is aimed at addressing misuse linked to unverified or outdated registration records.

The National Database and Registration Authority has also urged citizens to review the status of their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs). 

In its advisory, the PTA said citizens should ensure that their identity documents remain valid and correctly linked to their mobile numbers to prevent service disruption. It added that SIMs registered under the identity of a deceased person must either be transferred or deactivated in line with existing procedures.

To avoid suspension, citizens have been advised to renew expired CNICs through the PakID mobile application, NADRA Registration Centres, or designated eSahulat franchises. 

In cases where a CNIC holder has passed away, family members have been instructed to initiate cancellation of the identity card through the same channels. 


Separately, the PTA has reiterated its policy regarding inactive SIM cards. The regulator earlier warned that SIMs which remain unused for a period of six months are liable to be blocked. Under existing regulations, telecom operators are authorised to deactivate SIMs that show no record of calls, text messages, or internet usage for 180 consecutive days.