Overview
- PTA’s April 8 advisory told users to keep CNICs valid or risk SIM blocking and to enable the free “Balance Save” data blocker to stop surprise charges.
- NADRA reported 27.475 million national identity cards have expired and said more than 8.1 million SIMs are active on about 4.5 million expired cards.
- The agency warned that letting a CNIC lapse can freeze bank access, cut mobile service, and hinder welfare benefits and property or vehicle transfers.
- NADRA said it has sent SMS reminders and signaled it may add late‑renewal fees in the next fiscal year after June if renewal rates do not improve.
- Citizens were urged to move about 1.5 million SIMs still registered to deceased relatives into the current user’s name to prevent sudden disconnections.