NADRA, PTA Fight After U-Turn on PakID App Facial SIM Verification

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) are clashing over the use of facial-recognition technology in the PakID app for SIM issuance. Initially, NADRA had proposed using the PakID app for facial verification in SIM issuance by 2025. However, PTA later claimed that NADRA had changed its position on the matter.

NADRA has denied this allegation, stating they have not withdrawn the facial verification feature or reversed their position. Instead, NADRA clarified that the disagreement is about who should operate the facial recognition equipment and who should bear responsibility for the SIM verification process. Under new regulations, PTA decides the verification requirements for SIM issuance, while NADRA provides the identity-verification service and sets technical and security requirements.

NADRA maintains that the proof of concept conducted by cellular mobile operators (CMOs) demonstrated the feasibility of the technology, and the demonstration did not hinge on any technical failure. The telecom operators would control and secure the equipment used to capture biometric data, send it securely to the operator's data center, and then transmit it to NADRA for verification.