In a decisive move to tighten regulatory oversight and combat the illegal issuance of SIM cards, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed all Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) to suspend SIM sales across the country during late-night hours, from 12:00 AM to 6:00 AM. The directive, issued on May 19, 2026, aims to enhance compliance with telecom laws and prevent fraudulent activations.
Under the new guidelines, all authorized SIM sale channels—including franchisees and retailers—must strictly adhere to the prescribed timing. The PTA has warned that any violation will attract stringent legal and regulatory action under applicable telecom regulations. Citizens are advised to purchase SIM cards only from authorized outlets during permitted hours and ensure biometric verification is completed before activation.
The ban on late-night sales is part of a broader crackdown on irregular SIM issuance. Earlier, the PTA had warned mobile users to keep their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) valid and updated to avoid SIM blocking. According to the authority, SIMs registered against expired, cancelled, or deceased CNICs are being blocked to strengthen digital security.
In a related development, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) announced it would immediately block SIMs issued against expired or fake CNICs. This decision emerged from a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at NADRA Headquarters. The phased plan targets SIMs issued on expired CNICs from 2017 or earlier in the first phase, followed by those on CNICs cancelled after 2017.
NADRA’s chairman emphasized that only valid and active CNICs would be eligible for SIM issuance and continuation. The action targets SIMs belonging to deceased individuals or holders of expired identity cards. The PTA urged citizens to renew their CNICs through NADRA to prevent service disruption.
These measures underscore Pakistan’s commitment to securing its telecommunications infrastructure and curbing misuse. For more context, see PTA’s mandate, regional telecom trends, and digital security efforts.
Source: ARY News