Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has supported a proposal by Interior Minister Rehman Malik to suspend prepaid mobile phone services and allow post-paid services only.
Shah said on Wednesday that the interior ministry should immediately convene a special meeting to discuss steps to implement the proposal. He said the results of suspending cell phone services in Karachi during Eid were ‘encouraging’ and that Sindh government’s effective measures have foiled terrorists’ plans.
The chief minister said that in light of recent events, keeping an eye on mobile phone services has become necessary. He added that the proposed steps would not only help prevent the misuse of mobile SIMs but also help the government in collecting details of cell phone-users, which would help stem terrorism.
On Tuesday, while talking to the Police Line headquarters, Interior Minister Malik said that cellular services were suspended for a few hours because there had been reports of “conspiracies being hatched by enemies of the country” to carry out attacks during Eid.
The minister added that a large number of prepaid mobile phone connections were issued on fake documents and were used in terrorist attacks. He added that all concerned authorities would be consulted to immediately block such prepaid SIMs for security reasons.
Malik said that such mobile SIMs were also used in ‘extortion activities’. He added that prepaid SIMs would be blocked in phases.
“The final decision, however, will be made after consultation with all stakeholders and experts,” he added.
(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2012.
COMMENTS (26)
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@Awans: - Great Logic !!!
What about inconvenience to millions prepaid users? more than 91% SIM holders uses prepaid card . this will result in blocking most of the economic activities and the resultant loss is unimaginable. Hundreds of thousands small shop keepers delivering recharge services will be jobless. . A decision is taken right or wrong a person will thereafter search logic to justify the decisions ignoring many other unjust reasons against the decision.
This is a great initiative proposed by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, It should be applied as soon as possible, it can decrease to a greater extent all kinds of terrorist activities as well as Crimes such as bribe, snatching, street crime, robbery etc. Those who are against this proposal in actual doesnt want that Pakistan flourish and prosper. God Bless Pakistan and save Pakistan from such thinking minds. Aameen.
Salams
@Sharjeel Jawaid::Dear they CAN do it.Do you remember the ceasing of foreign currency accounts some 14 years back.Was any reason given then or to this day,as to why the accounts were closed causing public to lose millions?Do they give any reason before they put a ban on pillion riding causing the poor a loss of extra money and time.I can go on and on but only one proverb will suffice here.'When an honest man invented door-lock,thieves invented the key to the lock'.So,if the government is really serious in solving the menace of terrorism it should look for thieves rather than putting 'tongue-less' public in trouble
@LZ: I second that motion!
Interesting move.
"The minister added that a large number of prepaid mobile phone connections were issued on fake documents and were used in terrorist attacks"
How come they can ensure that post paid connections are having proper documentation?
Mobile companies will definitely monopolise the situation and ask for heavy security deposits. I am sure terrorist will be able to afford it but common man may not be.
Moving from pre-paid to post-paid model is a good thing for the telecom industry. But if only they offer phones for a discounted rate when a customer signs a 2 to 4 year contract. In the US, I used AT&T and T-mobile. My plan was 450 minutes per month, with free nights and weekends. Nights began at 7pm for the plan. Those are the kinds of deals we need in Pakistan with 3G and services such as voicemail. Not sms services for ringtones, 'friendship' and 'jokes'.
I guess Nadra is to blame because when i brought my new sim i needed to get it registered, now if people are still getting through this its the Govt's fault not ours.
Really? Only post paid SIMS would be activated and you will block all prepaid SIMS? Well, then you must know that PTCL's revenue would shoot to the sky as many can't afford a post paid SIM. And what about those who live on Ghanta Package?
In his 4 years at home ministry Rehman Malik for once said something that actually make sense... mobile should be given to someone only if they have some sort of permanent residential address that can be traced.... it should not be made a matter of depriving poor of means of communication
Multinational Telecom Companies Wont Let This Happen
Will be a good decision in the long run!!
What stopping terrorist from using fake document to acquire post paid sims? If they can fake on pre paid . they can fake on post paid.
Get the verification and authorization system fixed.
Finally Some Control over "Uncontrollable menace" .
Wish Mr. Malik studied economics at uni.
If the measure will help in improving the security situation, then let the moon sighting controversy created by Munibur Rahman end here and let's celebrate Eid again.
Post-paid services are a positive sign and must be in force till the security situation is savory or the Americans leave Afghanistan or the molvis start thinking with their heads and not their beards.
Salams
I believe its a great decision on the part of the government, lives and security are more important than the trouble that people are going to have with post paid connections.
Now, this smells definitely fishy and I hope the stink goes up the sky. And, how will post-paid services will help eliminate terrorism?
I guess the 90s are slowly coming back.
Mr Rehman Malik should focus more on preventive intelligence rather than interfering with mobile technologies in his attempt to curb terrorism. Maybe focusing on some online communities which actually propagate terrorism would be more appropriate rather than reactively banning a useful economic service used by the poorest in society.
If liberals want their pet project "war on terrorism" to be adopted by Pakistan, such "sacrifices" will have to be made.
And he think's the terrorist can not issue fake Sim's on Post Paid by faking document ?
Man get the system right which you elite have so abuse and get some people placed on merit. That is the solution to this country problem. Not some hocus pocus stuff that your policy maker comes up with.
Even if the consensus is developed to ban all the prepaid services, mobile service providers have to much money to bribe these political goons to keep prepaid services running. Nothing will happen and that's for sure.
More than 90% mobile phone connections are prepaid. The decision will not be easy on either the service providers or the users.
Great thinking minister sahib! Now can you also propose moving CM secretariat to a cave?