The telecom industry has begun issuing SIM cards using Multi Finger Biometric Verification System (MBVS), an enhanced version of Biometric Verification System (BVS). An agreement between NADRA and Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) was signed during a ceremony held at PTA Headquarters after a smooth transition to the new BVS.

The BVS devices available at sale channels have been upgraded to meet the requirements of the new system through NADRA and CMOs. For new or duplicate SIM cards, multiple fingerprint impressions are needed for authentication and antecedents. Moreover, the control for choice of fingers for verification purposes has been shifted from the seller representative to the system which asks for two different fingers’ impressions randomly. The implementation of new system will make the illegal use of fake fingerprints impossible.

The signing ceremony was attended by Chairman PTA Maj. General Amir Azeem Bajwa (R), Chairman NADRA Mr. Muhammad Tariq Malik, PTA Member Dr. Khawar Siddique Khokhar, Additional Director General at FIA, and several representatives from CMOs.

While praising the hard work of CMOs and NADRA in upgrading MBVS, Chairman PTA said the new system would help control illegal sales of SIM cards.

Chairman NADRA stated that MBVS has the immense potential to keep fraudsters and scammers away. He said MBVS is a smart solution which uses an indigenous smart algorithm where choice of finger is proposed by the system rather than prefixed finger positions. “The MBVS will not only eliminate silicon-based fingerprints used for issuance of mobile phone SIMs but also will hamper the attempts to purchase illegal SIMs. The new system will combat fake SIM issuance, ID fraud, protect privacy and strengthen national security of Pakistan”, he added.

As a result of the hard work and dedication of the teams from PTA, NADRA, and CMOs, MBVS was made possible. It is pertinent to mention that BVS was implemented in 2014 in order to offer secure online biometric verification for each SIM related transaction as well as assigning Unique Sale ID and logging of each transaction so that the person responsible for misuse is identifiable.

By implementing the new verification system, fraudulent financial transactions and other criminal activities will be prevented from using SIMs obtained illegally.