November 14, 2012 – ISLAMABAD: Government has put a ban on sale of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) at unauthorized shops across the country with effect from December 1.
An individual wishing to buy a mobile phone SIM will now have to visit the cellular companies authorized centers to buy the SIM which will be issued to him upon completion of a procedure prescribed by the government.
The consumer will need to submit a photocopy of his Computerized National Identity Card (NIC) to the cellular company’s authorized center The company will later carry out the verification of the subscriber’s address by sending a staffer.
The SIM will finally be issued to the subscriber after getting a go ahead from National Database and Regulation Authority (NADRA).
According to sources, at the moment there are 25 million SIMs available at 100,000 shops across the country and their return to the cell phone companies will cause 5 companies a loss of Rs2 billion.
