Islamabad: The Government has decided to block all SIM cards issued against expired Computerized National Identity Cards immediately as only active CNICs are used for issuing SIMs. The decision was made at a meeting in Islamabad, chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

According to Radio Pakistan, in the first phase, SIMs issued against CNICs from 2017 or earlier will be blocked. In subsequent phases, the same policy will apply to deactivate CNICs issued after 2017. Additionally, it was decided that facial recognition technology will be implemented nationwide by December this year.

The Minister stated that NADRA services have been extended to forty-four tehsils and specific union councils across the country. Moreover, NADRA services will be made available in all thirty-one union councils of Islamabad by the 30th of next month.

Mohsin Naqvi also approved the establishment of NADRA regional offices in Multan, Sukkur, and Gwadar. He reviewed the progress of reforms in NADRA, appreciating its significant achievements in the past year, which include the establishment of 87 new registration centres and 417 additional counters.

Furthermore, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi laid the foundation stone of a 10-storey NADRA Mega Centre in Islamabad’s Sector I-8. The completion of the NADRA Mega Center in Islamabad’s Sector I-8 is expected by June next year.