The government has announced an immediate nationwide crackdown on SIM cards registered against expired or cancelled Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs), starting with those issued in 2017 or earlier. These SIMs will be deactivated in the first phase of the policy implementation.
The initiative was approved during a high-level meeting at the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) headquarters in Islamabad, chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and other senior Nadra officials were also present.
The decision also targets SIMs registered to deceased individuals, which will be blocked without delay. In subsequent phases, the policy will apply to cancelled CNICs issued after 2017. Only SIMs associated with currently active CNICs will remain operational, officials confirmed.
During the session, Nadra’s chairman provided an update on the organisation’s digital transformation efforts, including increased public access and service enhancements. As part of this drive, 87 new registration centres and 417 additional counters have been established across the country. The federal government has also approved amendments to the National Identity Card Rules of 2002 to support these reforms.
To assist citizens who struggle with fingerprint verification, Nadra will roll out a facial recognition system. The chairman emphasised that biometric data is stored in secure local databases, though he noted ongoing concerns about data misuse and security breaches. He advocated for relying solely on Nadra’s verified databases for identity verification.
Minister Naqvi directed Nadra to conduct a comprehensive review to identify priority regions and countries where additional services are needed. He announced that Nadra services had already been extended to 44 tehsils and union councils, with all 31 union councils of Islamabad set to be fully covered by June 30, 2025.
The minister also greenlit the establishment of new regional Nadra offices in Multan, Sukkur, and Gwadar. He ordered the discontinuation of separate biometric data systems maintained by various agencies and mandated the nationwide rollout of facial recognition technology by December 31, 2025. The Ministry of Interior will oversee this implementation.
Additionally, Naqvi laid the foundation stone for a 10-storey Nadra Mega Centre in Sector I-8, Islamabad. The facility is slated for completion by June 2026.
