Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has proposed introducing facial verification as an alternative method for SIM issuance in Pakistan, aiming to simplify the registration process for users who experience difficulties with biometric fingerprint verification. The proposal is primarily intended to support senior citizens, laborers and other individuals whose fingerprints cannot be successfully verified during the existing SIM registration process. According to a written report submitted by PTA to the government and Parliament, the authority has made substantial progress toward implementing a secure and reliable verification system that can complement the current biometric process while maintaining the integrity of customer authentication. The proposed solution would use facial verification through NADRA’s Pak ID app, providing an additional option for eligible customers seeking new SIM connections.
According to the report, PTA has formally requested National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to enable both fingerprint and facial biometric verification through the Pak ID app. The authority has also recommended that NADRA grant formal approval for the application to be used as an official authentication platform for SIM verification. Once the required approval is received, telecom operators will be able to offer facial verification services at their customer service centers and franchise outlets, allowing eligible users to complete the SIM issuance process without relying solely on fingerprint authentication. PTA believes this approach will provide a secure and dependable alternative for customers while ensuring that all verification continues to take place through NADRA’s official identity authentication infrastructure.
The report further revealed that 70,871 SIMs have already been issued through an alternative verification mechanism between January 2025 and the present period. These SIMs were provided to customers whose fingerprint verification could not be completed successfully during the normal registration process. Instead, applicants were verified through NADRA issued letters or medical certificates, allowing thousands of individuals to obtain mobile connections despite biometric challenges. PTA noted that this alternative process has helped many citizens who would otherwise have faced difficulties accessing mobile services. Building on that experience, the authority has now completed successful facial verification trials in collaboration with NADRA and mobile network operators. A proof of concept for facial verification using the NADRA Pak ID app has also been completed successfully, demonstrating that the proposed authentication process is technically viable for future implementation.
PTA also stated that mobile network operators have completed the necessary technical preparations required to support SIM issuance through facial verification once regulatory approval is granted. In addition, discussions are underway regarding the possibility of allowing customers to obtain SIMs through mobile operators’ own mobile applications in the future, further expanding digital access to telecom services. Under the proposed framework, however, both fingerprint and facial verification will continue to rely on NADRA’s authentication system to ensure compliance with existing identity verification standards. If approved, the initiative is expected to improve accessibility for users who encounter biometric verification challenges while maintaining secure authentication procedures for SIM registration across Pakistan’s telecom sector. The proposed system reflects ongoing efforts to modernize digital identity verification processes and enhance the overall customer experience without compromising regulatory and security requirements.
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