Govt urged to enact laws against use of illegal SIMs

Published December 24, 2014
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Nasir Khan Durrani talking to mediapersons.  — APP/file
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Nasir Khan Durrani talking to mediapersons. — APP/file

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Nasir Khan Durrani has requested the federal and provincial governments to enact stringent laws for curtailing use of illegal and fake SIMs by criminals and terrorists in the country.

He said that unregistered SIMs, issued on fake names, were one of the main instruments in the hands of terrorists and criminals operating across the country, according to a press release issued here on Tuesday.

The IGP said that investigations into a number of cases revealed that terrorists and criminals used unregistered SIMs for their nefarious designs.

“It in turn makes it difficult for the investigative agencies to track them down,” he added.

Mr Durrani said that recently police undertook an exercise to verify the mobile SIMs used by terrorists and extortionists operating in the province.

The exercise revealed that all terrorists and extortionists were using unregistered and fake SIMs. Although the federal government has made biometric verification a prerequisite for issuance of new SIM and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has also launched a campaign its verification, the fact remains that despite all these steps the terrorists and criminals continue to use fake SIMs for their nefarious activities.

Reportedly, the illegal use of SIMs is not an offence but only a violation under PTA Act 1996 and the authorities can only issue explanation and show cause notice to the service provider and franchise issuing such SIMs. “Needless to say, the existing regularity regime is not sufficient to handle such a grave situation,” the IGP said.

He requested the federal and provincial governments that possession of illegal and fake SIMs and issuance of SIMs without due verification by service providers should be made a cognisable offence in which police and Federal Investigation Agency might have concurrent jurisdiction.

Published in Dawn December 24th , 2014

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan outreach
Updated 11 Jan, 2025

Afghan outreach

Islamabad should stress stronger counterterrorism measures, yet also engage the Taliban high command in Kandahar as well as politicians in Kabul.
Fragile recovery
11 Jan, 2025

Fragile recovery

STATE Bank Governor Jameel Ahmed appears to be quite optimistic over recent economic gains. That is not unusual;...
Destination Europe
11 Jan, 2025

Destination Europe

THE country’s aviation authorities can rest a little easy. After a four-year banishment from European skies,...
E-governance
Updated 10 Jan, 2025

E-governance

Wishing for a viable e-governance system seems like a pipe dream when stable internet connectivity is not guaranteed.
Khuzdar rampage
Updated 10 Jan, 2025

Khuzdar rampage

Authorities must explain how terrorists were able to commandeer the area for eight hours.
Beyond wheelchairs
10 Jan, 2025

Beyond wheelchairs

THE KP government’s Rs370m assistance programme for persons with disabilities is a positive step, not only in ...