The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has tightened SIM verification rules in the country. Through the Subscriber Antecedents Verification (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026 — notified in the Gazette of Pakistan as SRO 1519(I)/2026 — mobile operators must now block fraudulent SIMs immediately and follow strict new timelines for SIMs registered to deceased or invalid identity documents.
What the New Rules Require
Under SRO 1519(I)/2026, telecom operators must:
- Block fraudulent SIMs immediately: Any SIM reported as issued through fraudulent means must be blocked at once. The IMEI numbers of devices used to issue or activate such SIMs must also be blocked.
- Build automated systems with NADRA: Operators and NADRA must create an automated system for sharing identity-document status — including expiry, renewal, death, cancellation, confiscation, and impounding.
- Allow restoration: Blocked SIMs and biometric devices can be restored after proper verification, with a recorded justification.
60-Day Rule for SIMs of Deceased Persons
When NADRA informs an operator that a CNIC or NICOP holder has died:
- The operator must send an SMS alert to all SIMs registered in the deceased person’s name.
- The family or legal heir has 60 days to transfer ownership of those SIMs to their own name.
- If ownership is not transferred within 60 days, the SIM will be blocked.
5-Day Rule for Cancelled or Impounded CNICs
SIMs linked to CNICs or NICOPs that have been cancelled, confiscated, or impounded must be blocked within 5 days. The subscriber receives an SMS notice first, and the SIM can be restored if NADRA reinstates the identity document.
What Mobile Users Should Do
- Check SIMs on your CNIC: Send an SMS with your CNIC number (without dashes) to 668, or check online at cnic.sims.pk, to see all SIMs issued in your name.
- Transfer ownership of deceased relatives’ SIMs: Visit the operator’s franchise or service centre with the required documents to transfer the SIM to your own name within 60 days.
- Report unknown SIMs: If you see a SIM registered to your CNIC that you do not recognise, contact the operator and report it immediately — fraudulent SIMs are now blocked on report.
This comes after PTA fined mobile operators around Rs 740 million for SIM issuance violations, showing the regulator is serious about cleaning up SIM registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SRO 1519(I)/2026? It is a PTA regulation notified in the Gazette of Pakistan in 2026 that tightens SIM verification rules, requiring operators to block fraudulent SIMs immediately and follow fixed timelines for SIMs tied to deceased or invalid identity documents.
What happens to SIMs registered to someone who has died? The operator sends an SMS alert to those SIMs, and the family has 60 days to transfer ownership. After 60 days without transfer, the SIM is blocked.
What is the 5-day blocking rule? SIMs linked to cancelled, confiscated, or impounded CNICs or NICOPs are blocked within 5 days of notice. They can be restored if NADRA reinstates the document.
How can I check which SIMs are registered on my CNIC? Send your CNIC number (without dashes) by SMS to 668, or visit cnic.sims.pk online.
Can a blocked SIM be restored? Yes. Blocked SIMs and biometric verification devices can be restored after the operator completes verification and records a justification.
What should I do if I find an unknown SIM on my CNIC? Report it to your mobile operator right away. Under the new rules, fraudulently issued SIMs are blocked immediately on report.
Conclusion
SRO 1519(I)/2026 gives PTA and mobile operators sharper tools against SIM fraud — immediate blocking of fraudulent SIMs, a 60-day transfer window for deceased persons’ SIMs, and 5-day blocking for invalid identity documents. For ordinary users, the message is simple: check the SIMs on your CNIC today, and transfer any deceased relative’s SIMs within 60 days to avoid disconnection.