Pakistan mobile providers request lower biometric verification fees from NADRA

One of the first orders of business of a new industry group for mobile network operators in Pakistan is having the cost of biometric verification for SIM registration reduced by NADRA, Profit reports.

The Committee on Issues of Cellular Mobile Operators recently held its inaugural meeting, after being formed on direction of the country’s Prime Minister to evaluate issues and formulate recommendations related to mobile network operation. In addition to reducing NADRA fees, spectrum allocation, license renewal frameworks, tax rationalization and right of way were discussed at the meeting.

The request to NADRA is given extra motivation by the virtual shut-down caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the report. NADRA representatives plan to discuss the fee request with the agency’s board, and are expected to respond next week.

NADRA asked commercial banks to disable mobile biometric user verification last year, which could be the next area the government body is asked to revisit. Government plans to utilize NADRA for financial relief disbursement were recently announced.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  identity verification  |  NADRA  |  Pakistan  |  SIM card registration