The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has taken a significant move to stop the issuance of illegal SIMs.
It has altered the method of issuance and activation of the SIMs. The second new SIM for an individual will now be available and activated in seven days instead of the previous eight hours.
The first new SIM will be issued and activated within eight hours, the PTA has said. It added that a duplicate SIM card or number will also be issued in the same duration.
These new standard operating procedures related to the SIMs will come into effect from January 24. The SOPs will be applicable to all operators, customer service centres, franchisees, and retailers.
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will also implement the new SOPs in its system, the PTA stated.
The decision was taken to contain the issuance of multiple SIMs to one user in a day, according to the PTA. It said that fake thumb impressions are used to get multiple SIMs issued in a day.
The authority commented that fraudsters installed WhatsApp and dumped SIMs issued in someone else's name. The new SOPs will help reduce cases of forgery and fraud, PTA officials believe.
