PTA increases buffer time for 'new SIM only' to seven days

• New SOP has been issued to counter techniques of fraud mafia
• PTA says first new SIM can be issued immediately to a CNIC.
• SOP does not affect activation of duplicate SIMs.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has said it has made an amendment in its standard operating procedure (SOP) increasing the buffer time for new SIM from eight hours to seven days.

The PTA said this in a clarification about misconceptions about its letter ‘Increasing Buffer between New SIM Sale Sessions from 8 hours to 7 days’ issued on January 18.

“Currently, an 8-hour gap exists between successive biometric verifications from NADRA for SIM-related transactions. The same is being increased to seven days, for new SIM only, to counter the techniques employed by fraud mafia who tend to activate multiple illegal SIMs quickly for fraudulent activities in the name of consumer surveys, NGOs and free ration schemes for innocent citizens,” the PTA said.

The telecommunication authority further said the first new SIM can be issued immediately on a CNIC through biometric verification, however, in case of issuance of any subsequent new SIM on the same CNIC, a subscriber will have to wait for seven days for biometric verification by NADRA.

The PTA said the amendment in SOP has no effect on activation of duplicate SIMs or other SIM-related transactions such as change of ownership and Mobile Number Portability (MNP).

The amendment in SOP will be effective from January 24 and is a part of the regulatory measures designed to safeguard against unauthorised or fraudulent issuance of SIM cards.