As PTA (Pakistan Telecommunications Authority) have advised all Mobile telecom operators present in Pakistan to re-verify all the issued SIM Cards to their subscribers. PTA also had set a very tight deadline, which is going to end soon. Previously the SIMs were issued by mobile companies on just copy of CNIC (Computerized National Id Card). As these SIMs were issued by NOT only official mobile operator’s customer’s centers but also by the franchise and retailer shops. So most of CNIC copies provided were not cross verified that the person providing the copy is the same person as CNIC Copy suggests or he she is providing someone else’s Card’s copy. On in simple words if he is stealing the identity.
So, this re verification addresses this issue of possible SIM issuance on others’ cards, by taking the thumb print of person possessing the SIM and checking it against the NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority). Any one being unable to getting his/her SIM barometrically verified by 26th of Feb 2015, will have his/her SIM blocked after the deadline.
If you have not verified your SIM, first thing you must do right now is run to a franchise, official customer care center or nearest retailers for SIM re-verification. As per Instructions by PTA, the biometric verification costs amount of Rs. 10 to the subscriber.
However, case has been opened by a citizen in Lahore High Court, appealing that in early days of telecom boom in Pakistan, all the cell phone operators have issued million of SIMs without a proper verification of subscribers. Also, PTA did not took notice of this, until recently, when they did. So why subscribers are being charged with the amount, when they had no fault in this unverified SIMs mess. Case is being heard in Lahore high court and no decision have been came forward till now.
Also their are reports that retailers are over charging for the verification process and they are getting more money than the set amount by PTA. In some cases this amount is 30 Rupees instead of set 10 Rupees.
Anyways, anyone reading this article must run to nearest facility, re-verify their SIM otherwise the queues will get only longer.
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