ISLAMABAD: A concerning revelation has emerged with over 8.1 million mobile SIMs currently active on expired national identity cards across the country.
As a reaction to this development, NADRA has sent out a warning to citizens to renew their identity cards immediately to prevent any disruption in services. The official spokesperson of NADRA also mentioned that SIM cards registered in the name of people who have already passed away can be blocked anytime. It was suggested that citizens should transfer the SIM cards registered in the names of dead relatives into their own names.
Moreover, there is a warning from NADRA that failure to renew the ID cards will lead to additional charges and penalties in June. Expired ID cards can lead to problems with banking accounts, mobile SIM cards, and government welfare packages.
The citizens are urged to renew their ID cards before they expire to prevent any interruption in the government benefits and mobile services. There have been repeated SMS messages sent out by NADRA to citizens, especially those who are parents of minors above 18 years but still lack their first identity cards.
For renewals, citizens can visit NADRA registration centres, use the Pak ID mobile app, or utilize e-facility services.
Important Update: NADRA Highlights Key Step for Availing Government Subsidies
Meanwhile, NADRA has issued a crucial alert advising citizens that in order to benefit from government schemes, such as the Benazir Income Support Program and the newly announced fuel subsidy scheme, it is mandatory to renew expired national identity cards.
According to NADRA’s post, citizens whose identity cards have expired cannot access these government services, leading to unnecessary difficulties. Although NADRA has the authority to impose extra fees or penalties for delayed renewals, this has not been enforced for now in the interest of public convenience.
As per NADRA’s available data, there are currently 27.4 million expired national identity cards, 2.3 million expired overseas cards, and 16.5 million expired children’s registration certificates that remain unrenewed. Additionally, 229,000 juvenile cards have also expired. NADRA has sent SMS reminders to citizens, especially parents whose children have turned 18 but have yet to obtain their first ID card.
Furthermore, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued instructions on April 8, stating that to ensure uninterrupted mobile services, the activation of users’ identity cards is required. Mobile SIMs registered under expired cards or those belonging to deceased individuals can be blocked at any time.
Currently, over 8.1 million active mobile SIMs are registered to 4.5 million expired IDs, and more than 223,000 of these cards have been expired for over 10 years. To avoid mobile service disruptions, users are encouraged to renew their IDs on time and transfer the SIMs registered under deceased relatives’ names.
NADRA urges all citizens to fulfil their legal responsibility by promptly renewing expired identity documents and ensuring ID card issuance for individuals over 18 years of age.
For renewal, citizens can use nearby registration centres, the Pak ID mobile app, or NADRA’s e-facility franchise services. If there is no significant change in the renewal trend by June, additional fees and fines will be imposed in the next fiscal year for late renewals.
