PTA plans retina and facial recognition for SIMs, offers 10 free eSIM transfers  

Islamabad: People who cannot pass fingerprint verification may soon be able to obtain mobile SIMs through retina scans or facial recognition, under new measures proposed by a Senate committee.

The committee directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, NADRA and mobile companies to develop alternative verification methods for people whose fingerprints cannot be matched. The proposed system may allow users to verify their identity by scanning their face through a mobile application or using a retina scan.

However, lawmakers also warned that the new methods must not make it easier for criminals to obtain illegal SIMs. The issue was discussed during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, chaired by Senator Rana Mahmood Ul Hassan at Parliament House.

At present, a person normally needs to complete fingerprint verification before a new SIM can be issued. But some elderly people, workers with damaged fingerprints, people with disabilities and patients may face problems during biometric verification.

PTA officials told the committee that exemptions were already available in three specified categories. People seeking an exemption may need to submit a medical certificate or obtain verification from NADRA.

The committee said genuine citizens should not be denied a mobile connection simply because the biometric machine could not read their fingerprints. It directed PTA to work with NADRA and telecom operators on a system that would be easier for genuine users but still strong enough to stop SIM fraud.

The committee also raised concerns over the transfer of eSIMs from one mobile device to another. An eSIM is a digital SIM built into a mobile phone. Unlike a normal SIM, it does not require a small plastic card.

PTA officials said different mobile companies were currently following different policies. Some operators allowed only a limited number of eSIM transfers, creating problems for customers who changed, lost or upgraded their phones.

The lack of one clear policy means a customer’s experience may depend on which mobile company they use. The PTA chairman informed the committee that a uniform policy was being finalised for all telecom operators.

Under the proposed rules, consumers may be allowed to transfer an eSIM from one phone to another up to 10 times without paying any fee. The transfer would be completed using a QR code provided to the customer.

This would allow a person to move their mobile connection to a new device without purchasing a fresh physical SIM. The committee directed the PTA to finalize the policy and ensure that all mobile operators followed the same rules.

Committee members also expressed concern that mergers between telecom companies could reduce competition. They warned that fewer operators could limit customer choices and may affect the cost and quality of SIM and eSIM services.

PTA maintained that Pakistan’s telecom industry remained deregulated and competitive. The authority said stronger competition was expected to reduce eSIM related charges in the future.

The committee directed PTA to protect healthy competition and ensure that mobile companies continued to provide affordable and reliable services. It said any new SIM or eSIM policy must protect consumers while also preventing fraud, identity theft and the illegal issuance of mobile connections.