Blog: PTA has initiated intelligent blocking from May 18th 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.

The process of intelligent blocking shall be completed in four weeks where same number of mobile connections i.e. 0.875 million shall be blocked on weekly basis thus bringing total no of SIMs to 3.5 million.

During the intelligent blocking a particular SIM/connection shall only be allowed to call 789 for re-verification of user’s antecedents.

The PTA 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 i.e. 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 same number of mobile connections i.e. 0.875 million shall be blocked on weekly basis thus bringing total no 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.

With a view to further facilitate the mobile users, individual SMS shall again be sent to all left over target mobile connections advising them to approach 789 so as to avoid completely blocking of their SIMs.

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 centralized database has been maintained at PTA where the information is being provided by mobile operators on monthly basis and updated accordingly.