Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is in a continuous effort for electronic re-verification of all mobile users through SIM Information System-668 since 15th October 2009. For the purpose a centralised database has been maintained at PTA where the information is being provided by mobile operators on monthly basis and updated accordingly.
It is pertinent to mention that all these connections are already registered against a CNIC. However, to ensure that a particular SIM is registered against CNIC of its actual user, the electronic re-verification process has been started. Till now, in a process of cleaning of mobile subscribers' data, a total of 16.2 million unregistered/unverified SIMs/mobile connections have already been blocked during Phase-I and Phase-II of SIM Information System - 668. After successful completion of Phase-I and Phase-II, only 16.78 million connections, out of 105 million connections were left over to re-verify their antecedents that have been termed as Target Mobile Connections for Phase-III of 668, ie "Proper ID Verification" project.
During Phase-III of 668, CMTOs & PTA started approaching the target mobile connections through sending multiple SMSs and launching awareness campaign via print and electronic media since 20th April, 2011. A total of 13.28 million targeted mobile connections have approached and re-verified their antecedents through 668 database till 17th May, 2011.
In a comprehensive effort to register the SIMs against CNICs of the actual users, PTA has initiated intelligent blocking from May 18th 2011 where 0.875 million left over targeted mobile connections has been blocked as a first batch. During the intelligent blocking a particular SIM/connection shall only be allowed to call 789 for re-verification of user's antecedents. The 789 system is an automated real time verification system where a customer has to approach Call Center of the concerned mobile company by dialing short code 789 and re-register & verify his antecedents through Nadra's database by answering mandatory secret questions ie mother's name and place of birth so as to activate his non-active SIM.
In order to facilitate the consumers and considering the limited resources available at mobile companies' end, the process of intelligent blocking shall be completed in four weeks where the same number of mobile connections, ie 0.875 million shall be blocked on weekly basis thus bringing a total number of SIMs to 3.5 million. The mobile connections that failed to approach 789, for re-verification/confirmation of their data, shall be completely blocked at the end of each week.-PR