ISLAMABAD ( BMZ REPORT )
The activation of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) by cellular companies would be initiated through bio-metric verification process from August 1.
“From August 1, SIM sale and customer service activities throughout the country will only be possible through company owned customer service centers, franchises and authorized retail outlets equipped with bio-metric verification machines”, a mass awareness message by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said.
It said that, under instruction from the Government of Pakistan and directions issued by PTA, the general public is informed that all forms of SIM activation by dialing 789 (including pre-sale Short Messaging Service (SMS) through retailers) will stop on July 31.
For bio-metric SIM activation, the general public has been informed to undertake certain steps for ensuring issuance of authorized SIMs in their favor which include:
Visit only SIM selling outlets that are equipped with bio-metric verification machines, besides ensuring that the subscriber has Computerized National Identity Card in original, while applying for issuance of SIM.
The buyer of the SIM would give thumb impression on the bio-metric device for online verification with National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and upon successful verification; the SIM will be delivered to the purchaser.
The newly issued SIM will be activated within 30 minutes of successful bio-metric verification and in case of unsuccessful verification the sales agent would inform the applicant further course of action.
The general public has been asked to comply with this new process in own interest as well as the national security and help PTA in eradicating the menace of unauthorized SIMs.
Activation of the previously purchased SIMs will also be possible through company owned customer service centers, franchises and authorized retail outlets equipped with bio-metric machines.