Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has urged mobile users to keep their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) valid and updated, warning that SIM cards linked to expired or inactive identification documents could face suspension.

In a public advisory issued this week, PTA said mobile connections associated with expired CNICs may be blocked as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen digital identity verification and telecom security across Pakistan.

The regulator advised citizens to renew expired CNICs through National Database and Registration Authority and ensure their biometric and mobile registration records are updated with their respective telecom operators to avoid service disruptions.

According to PTA, the verification drive is aimed at improving subscriber authentication, preventing misuse of unverified SIMs and enhancing cybersecurity measures within the country’s telecom sector.

The authority also encouraged users to visit nearby franchise centers or customer service outlets to confirm that SIM ownership details match their current identification records.

Pakistan has intensified digital identity compliance measures in recent years, with telecom operators increasingly relying on biometric verification systems linked directly with NADRA databases to authenticate mobile subscribers.

Industry analysts say the move reflects broader efforts by regulators to curb illegal SIM usage, financial fraud and identity misuse, particularly as Pakistan expands digital banking, e-governance and mobile-based services nationwide.

PTA further urged users to regularly verify the status of their CNICs and maintain accurate subscriber information to ensure uninterrupted mobile connectivity and secure digital access.