1. Check the authenticity of any Computerised National ID Card (CNIC)

Send an SMS to ‘7000’ with the CNIC number in the text field.

You get a reply (in urdu) with the Citizen’s name and the name of the persons Father. Charges Rs. 10 +Tax, Courtesy NADRA.

If the details on the actual CNIC and the response don’t match then there is cause for concern!

2. Check the number of mobile phone connections registered in your name against your CNIC:

Send an SMS to ‘668’ with the CNIC number in the text field. Or you can go to the PTA SIM Information System website.

You get a reply (in English) listing the number of connection registered with EACH mobile operator in Pakistan against the particular CNIC number you sent (preferably your CNIC!) Charges Rs. 2+ Tax

Don’t be too surprised to find if your CNIC has numbers registered against it which you never knew about! To fix this go to the mobile operators service center/franchise and ask them to verify the number of connections against your name. Fill out a form to get blocked/shut down the numbers which don’t belong to you. This is important for your safety!

3. Check the Owner Name and CNIC against which your CURRENT SIM(S) is/are registered.

Send a blank SMS to ‘667’ from the mobile number the ownership of which you want to check.

In response you will get an SMS stating the Name anf the CNIC against which the number from which the SMS was sent is registered.This helps you verify if the number you are using is properly registered in your name.

This used to be a free service, not sure if it still is.

4. Verify Car/bike/vans/etc ownership/registration details for vehicles registered in Lahore and Punjab. (system working for Lahore vehicles so far)

Go to the website of the Motor Transport Management Information System (MTMIS).

Enter the car registration number (according to the format suggested on the site) and you will get the names of all previous owners along with father names and the city of residence. You will also get details on the cars registered Chassis and Engine numbers as well as the purchase price of the car when it was new and registered for the first time!

This is handy when purchasing used cars and processing change of ownership. You probably can also figure out which influential was flouting rules and displaying obnoxious and vanity ‘get-out-of-my-way’ M.N.A. / M.P.A. /EDITOR etc plates on his/her car!