A disagreement has emerged between NADRA and PTA over facial recognition for SIM verification in Pakistan. The dispute focuses on how facial verification should work and which organization should control the process.
PTA told a Senate committee that NADRA had declined to make PakID available for facial-based SIM verification. However, NADRA has rejected the claim that it reversed its earlier position.
The authority said facial recognition remains part of its proposed biometric verification framework.
NADRA Rejects Claims of U-Turn
According to PTA, NADRA initially proposed using the PakID application for facial verification in 2025. Cellular mobile operators also completed a proof of concept for the proposed system.
PTA later said the identity authority had changed its position regarding PakID. However, NADRA said there had been no withdrawal of facial verification.
It explained that PakID was never intended to become the main platform for issuing SIMs. Instead, PakID was proposed as one method for citizens to obtain a facial verification result.
That result could then be used with an authorized organization.
Who Will Control SIM Verification?
According to NADRA, the main disagreement concerns responsibility for biometric capture and verification. PTA determines the verification requirements that telecom companies must follow when issuing SIMs.
NADRA provides identity verification services and establishes relevant technical and security requirements. Telecom operators could therefore install facial or iris verification equipment at their own outlets.
Under this model, operators would capture customers’ biometric information using approved equipment.
The information would then be securely transmitted to NADRA for identity verification. Telecom operators would not be allowed to retain customers’ biometric information.
They would also be prohibited from creating independent biometric databases.
Facial Recognition Remains an Approved Option
NADRA said facial recognition remains an approved biometric verification method under its regulations.
It can be particularly useful when fingerprint verification is unavailable or unsuccessful. The proposed system would also require safeguards against attempts to manipulate facial verification.
These include protection against deepfakes, biometric substitution and facial morphing.
NADRA believes operator-controlled equipment could also make nationwide implementation easier. Telecom companies could integrate facial verification into franchises, service centres and mobile applications.
This would avoid making every SIM transaction dependent on the PakID application.
PTA Reviewing New Verification Model
PTA is reviewing the technical and regulatory implications of the proposed system with telecom operators. The review follows NADRA’s regulations notified on July 28, 2026.
PTA is also exploring other methods for nationwide facial-recognition-based SIM verification. According to the authority, one mobile operator is considering facial verification through its own application.
The technical feasibility will first be evaluated before a possible proof of concept.
Six-Month Compliance Period Possible
The regulations allow NADRA, after consultation with the relevant regulator, to provide a compliance period of up to six months.
NADRA said it is ready to provide secure APIs, technical standards and backend identity verification. PTA would determine the requirements that apply to the telecom sector.
Mobile operators would then be responsible for implementing the necessary infrastructure. The dispute therefore appears focused on institutional responsibility rather than the facial recognition technology itself.
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Further regulatory clarity could determine how facial SIM verification is eventually introduced across Pakistan.
