The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has ruled out the immediate use of iris biometrics for SIM registration.
National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has not yet approached PTA regarding such a proposal, so no such proposal is under consideration.
NADRA must collect users’ iris data before starting mobile SIM registration through Iris biometrics, PTA officials told ProPakistani. Only by matching these data can SIMs be registered and verified.
Since Pakistan has a population of 250 million, NADRA would need millions of machines throughout the country to implement the eye biometric authentication system.
PTA officials say that the launch of an iris biometric system for mobile SIM registration is dependent on NADRA, and they have not signed an agreement with them yet. In December 2022, PTA and NADRA started issuing SIM cards using Multi-Finger Biometric Verification System (MBVS).
The MBVS system was tightened with the signing of an agreement between NADRA and mobile phone operators for a multi-finger biometric verification system. As a result, the system has the potential to prevent the issuance of fake SIM cards, deterring fraudsters and fraudsters.
PTA has no objection to registering mobile SIMs using Iris to further prevent forgery, according to the officials. Mobile phone operators will also be taken into account in the issuance of SIM cards through the new biometric system.
The PTA, NADRA, and mobile phone operators will sign an agreement if there is consensus regarding the launch of this system. It is too early to say anything until the whole process is completed.
“Iris” is a new biometric authentication system developed by NADRA.
According to NADRA, the risk of error in recognition through the eyes is negligible, as the iris, the circle around the pupil, does not change with age. A scan performed at an early age can also be used for permanent identification, according to NADRA.
