Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has expedited work on shifting SIM biometric system on Live Finger Detection (LFD), reported 24NewsHD TV on Sunday.

300,000 SIM biometric centres across the country will be shifted to LFD, PTA said. The PTA has also instructed the operators to switch to LFD devices in stages.

In the first phase, mobile operators started verifying SIM LFD devices at most places. According to PTA, 732,000 fake SIMs have been identified so far. 

PTA sources said that 580,000 SIMs have been identified to be registered in the name of the deceased people. While the mobile operators and franchisees have been implicated in the fake SIMs.

Telecom operators have also pointed out flaws in LFD devices. According to telecom sources, the LFD has received numerous complaints on failing. It will be difficult to buy new machines for the new system every day.

Reporter: Saba Bajeer