ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has discontinued roaming facilities on Afghan Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) in Pakistan, in an effort to block anti-state and criminal activities of terrorists, on a directive issued by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The directive was issued on the request of law enforcement agencies, which informed the government that Afghan SIMs were being openly used inside tribal areas in Pakistan by terrorists and criminal elements.

Sources told Dawn.com that the PM desired that the task be completed in the next few days.

The move would be a step towards halting communication among terrorists and would also help in reducing crimes related to kidnapping for ransom in tribal areas.

Also read: PTA ordered to curtail use of Afghan SIMs