Islamabad, 18 June 2025: SIMs to Be Deactivated – Pakistan is starting a big effort to make mobile phone use safer. The government will block over 4.9 million mobile SIM cards. These are SIMs that were registered with old or canceled ID cards.
This decision came from the Interior Ministry after NADRA (the national ID authority) asked for it. PTA (the phone service regulator) is now putting this plan into action.
Many SIM cards, almost 5 million, are connected to ID cards that have expired or belong to people who have passed away. This move aims to stop bad guys from using phones with fake or inactive identities, which helps make the country safer.
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The blocking will happen step by step. First, SIMs linked to ID cards that expired in 2017 will be blocked by June 30, 2025.
Then, SIMs for cards that expired in 2018 will be blocked by July 31, and so on, each month. The last SIMs to be blocked will be those with ID cards expiring in 2023, 2024, and 2025, by December 31, 2025.
This gives people time to get their ID cards renewed. The government is telling everyone to check and update their ID card information quickly. This is important to avoid losing phone service. Officials say this plan will help prevent fraud and make sure only real, identified people use mobile services in Pakistan. So, renew your ID card soon to keep your phone working!
