ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has verified more than 72 million SIMs against 46million CNICs (computerised national identity cards) while around 10 million were blocked by the authority.
The sources said that in the second phase of the verification those having less than three prepaid connections could verify their SIMs till April 13.
The government in collaboration with the telecom operators had launched biometric verification of SIMs as a step to curb terrorism in the country. The telecom operators – Mobilink, Ufone, Telenor, Zong and Warid – had launched prepaid SIMs verification on January 13 on the direction of the government, which is of the view that the step is mandatory to curb terrorism in the country.
While briefing newsmen, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman Dr Ismael Shah admitted that the February 26 deadline, communicated through the media, was actually a bluff to persuade users to get their SIMs verified.
Flanked with State Minister for Information Technology Anusha Rehman, the PTA chief said that the deadline was an internal arrangement.
“Had we not played the tactic of February 26 deadline, very few people would have come forward for verification of the SIMs,” he said.
The relevant authorities also held that the deadline set by the interior ministry would lapse on April 12 and there are bright chances that the remaining process would be accomplished till then.
