The Pakistani government has announced an immediate nationwide SIM card blocking initiative targeting connections registered with expired national identity cards (CNICs). The first phase will deactivate all SIMs linked to CNICs issued in 2017 or earlier. SIMs registered to deceased individuals will also be immediately blocked.

The decision, made during a high-level meeting at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) headquarters, aims to improve security and streamline the country’s telecommunications system. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi led the meeting, which included Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and NADRA officials. The policy will be extended to cancelled CNICs issued after 2017 in subsequent phases. Only SIMs registered with active CNICs will remain valid.

The meeting also highlighted NADRA’s expansion efforts, including the opening of 87 new registration centers and 417 additional counters nationwide. Amendments to the National Identity Card Rules 2002 were also approved. NADRA’s chairman emphasized the importance of securing biometric data and advocated for the use of NADRA’s secure databases for facial recognition technology, which will assist individuals facing fingerprint verification difficulties.

Minister Naqvi announced plans to expand NADRA services to underserved areas, including the establishment of new regional offices in Multan, Sukkur, and Gwadar. He also ordered the termination of separate biometric data storage by other agencies and mandated the nationwide implementation of facial recognition technology by December 31, 2025, with the Ministry of Interior overseeing the process. The minister also laid the foundation stone for a new NADRA Mega Centre in Islamabad.