PTA has advised citizens to ensure that SIM cards registered under deceased relatives are either transferred to eligible legal heirs or blocked through the official Change of Ownership procedure, framing the step as necessary to prevent misuse of mobile connections and maintain lawful use of telecom services across the country.
According to the advisory, SIM ownership following the death of a subscriber can only be transferred to eligible legal heirs, which includes a spouse or close blood relatives. Family members seeking to complete the transfer are required to visit the nearest customer service centre or authorised franchise of the relevant mobile operator in person, where the process is formally processed and verified. PTA outlined four documents required to complete the transfer, including a Family Registration Certificate, the death certificate of the deceased subscriber, the original SIM card, and proof of SIM usage, with these documents collectively used to verify legal eligibility and confirm rightful ownership before any transfer is approved.
The regulator emphasised that timely blocking or transfer of SIMs belonging to deceased subscribers is important for protecting the integrity of Pakistan’s telecom system, warning that unclaimed or inactive numbers left unaddressed after a subscriber’s death could be misused if records are not updated in a timely manner. Numbers that remain active under a deceased person’s identity without family oversight present a potential avenue for misuse, including unauthorised use by third parties or continued exposure of the deceased’s identity information within active telecom records long after they are no longer the rightful user.
PTA described the initiative as part of its broader efforts to promote secure and responsible digital connectivity across Pakistan, and encouraged citizens to seek guidance through their mobile operator, official PTA platforms, or the PTA Digital Assistant service if they require support in completing the transfer or blocking process for a deceased relative’s SIM card.
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