National security: Centre wants companies to block stolen phone SIMs

Service providers asked to enhance their security features in order to monitor any possible misuse of mobile phones.

KARACHI:

The federal government has asked mobile phone companies to block SIM cards being used in stolen phones or duplicate International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMIE) numbers within 15 days.

This decision was made at Chief Minister House by CM Qaim Ali Shah and Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik. It was attended by Deputy-General Rangers Sindh Major General Muhammad Ijaz, Capital City Police Officer Karachi Saud Mirza, National Crisis Management Cell Karachi Director Syed Nayab Hussain Zaidi and Pakistan Telecommunications Authority Zonal Director Abdul Batin, among others.

All imported mobile phones with the same IMIE numbers would also be blocked with immediate effect. The details of such phones would be given to the cyber crime cell of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) by service providers. A joint task force of the FIA, police and PTA will examine the existing mobile service system and its security features. Service providers were asked to enhance their security features in order to monitor any possible misuse of mobile phones.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th,  2011.