28,000 illegally activated SIM cards smuggled into Waziristan, FATA

Reportedly, three sims were also activated in the name of District Coordination Officer (DCO) Sargodha.

SARGODHA: The main accused in the recent fake SIM cards scandal reportedly activated some 28,000 SIMs using two handsets while using computerised national identification cards (NICs) of citizens. 

It was reported earlier this week that a large amount of SIMs were activated using ID cards of citizens in Sargodha. These activated SIMs were later smuggled into South Waziristan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

According to the police, Khurram Mehdi and accomplices reportedly worked in or with a cellular company. They confessed during interrogation that they activated 17,365 SIM cards with a phone with International Mobile Equipment Identity number (IMEI) 1860 whereas another 10,465 SIMs were activated with another set bearing the IMEI number 4500.

The police had arrested the accused two days back and presented them before the anti-terrorist court who granted police a two-day physical remand for further interrogation.

Another cellular company was also being used in a similar fake SIM cards scheme and reportedly three SIM cards were activated in the name of District Coordination Officer (DCO) Sargodha. These SIMs were being used by people in Kasur, Bahawalpur and Dera Ismail Khan districts. Meanwhile, some of the local journalists found that SIMs registered in their name, were being used by unknown persons.

Talking to APP, Telenor Regional Head Sargodha, Baber Shahzad said that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and other concerned departments should take necessary action against use of fake SIM cards and persons involved in this scandal.