Fighting terror: Cellphones have become terrorists’ instrument, says Malik
Interior minister says all cellular companies are bound to adopt biometric system within 3 months.
OKARA:
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Sunday that all cellular companies are bound to adopt a biometric data system within three months for selling cellphone SIMs in the country.
“No mobile phone SIM will be sold by an unconcerned person or at shops in the future,” he said. “For this purpose, a law will be introduced shortly,” he added. Motorcycles and mobile phones have become instruments for terrorists to unleash violence, which is why the government banned them for a while, the interior minister told journalists in Okara.
Asked if the government planned any operation against proscribed organisations in Punjab, Malik said it was for the provincial government to decide. However, he added that the federal government was ready if asked for help.
About the fluid security situation in Karachi, Malik said that being the hub of commercial activities in the country, the city could not be left at the mercy of miscreants. “The government is serious about maintaining peace in Karachi and, if needed, the Army can be called out,” he added.
On the issue of Kalabagh Dam, the interior minister said that it would not be built without a national consensus.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2012.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Sunday that all cellular companies are bound to adopt a biometric data system within three months for selling cellphone SIMs in the country.
“No mobile phone SIM will be sold by an unconcerned person or at shops in the future,” he said. “For this purpose, a law will be introduced shortly,” he added. Motorcycles and mobile phones have become instruments for terrorists to unleash violence, which is why the government banned them for a while, the interior minister told journalists in Okara.
Asked if the government planned any operation against proscribed organisations in Punjab, Malik said it was for the provincial government to decide. However, he added that the federal government was ready if asked for help.
About the fluid security situation in Karachi, Malik said that being the hub of commercial activities in the country, the city could not be left at the mercy of miscreants. “The government is serious about maintaining peace in Karachi and, if needed, the Army can be called out,” he added.
On the issue of Kalabagh Dam, the interior minister said that it would not be built without a national consensus.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2012.