Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has announced that the buffer for successive SIM sale sessions has been increased from eight hours to seven days.

Previously, a new SIM could be activated through biometric verification after eight hours. However, in case another SIM is bought soon after the first, consumers will now have to wait for seven days.

“A new SIM can be issued immediately to a CNIC through biometric verification, however, in case of issuance of any subsequent new SIM on the same CNIC, subscriber will have to wait for 7 days for biometric verification by NADRA,” PTA said in a statement.

The Authority said that the new measures will not apply to other SIM-related transactions such as change of ownership.

PTA said that the new measures have been enacted to ‘counter the techniques employed by fraud mafia who tend to activate multiple illegal SIMs quickly for fraudulent activities…’.

It added that quick sale of SIMs had been used for fraud in consumer surveys, NGOs and free ration schemes.

“This amendment in SOP will be implemented from 24th January 2024 and is a part of the regulatory measures designed to safeguard against unauthorized or fraudulent issuance of SIM cards,” PTA said.