The National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) has shared its data with the country’s telecom regulator—the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)—as the latter prepares to launch a crackdown against those using SIM cards issued to people who are now deceased.

The PTA is going to block all such SIM cards as they are also being used in various crimes including financial frauds, online scams as well as violent crimes. This grand operation is going to start on June 30.

According to PTA sources, NADRA has provided the PTA with detailed data that includes a list of all relevant identity cards on which thousands of mobile phones are currently active. Based on the schedule proposed by NADRA, this operation will be carried out in phases.

The disconnection of mobile SIMs will begin on June 30 for those whose CNICs expired in 2017. The second phase will start on November 30, and in the final phase on December 31, all such mobile SIMs will be completely deactivated.

NADRA officials have stated that if the relatives of deceased individuals or those whose CNICs have expired wish to retain the SIMs under their own names, they should update the records.

The identity cards of deceased persons must be submitted to NADRA to ensure proper documentation. Otherwise, from June 30, the PTA will begin blocking all SIMs that are operating on expired or deceased individuals’ identity cards.