Nisar calls for reviving biometric verification for issuing new SIMs
Says it will help concerned authorities track down criminals.
Interior minister expressed his reservations at the current procedure of acquiring SIMs. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali said on Thursday that the government is planning to make the process of acquiring new mobile SIM cards more difficult.
Addressing a meeting on the issue, he said that the move will be a way to tackle security threats.
The interior minister also expressed his reservations on the current procedure of acquiring new SIMs.
"The use of unverified and unregistered SIMs is a threat to Pakistan's security," he said in a statement issued to The Express Tribune.
He said that no compromises will be made on the issue with cellular companies because it is a matter of national security.
The interior minister directed that a fast track system be put in place to eradicate the issue permanently.
He said that making the process of acquiring a new mobile SIM card more difficult will make it easier for the authorities to track down criminals.
Commenting on the adverse effects it might have on the telecommunication industry, he said, "the current government is business friendly and would do its utmost to help the industry. However, no concessions will be made on matters of security."
Chairman National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) Tariq Malik said that they have the capacity to verify SIMs by using a biometric system.
"The system will integrate the process of SIM verification with the updated NADRA database that contains all the biometric information of the citizens," said Malik.
Minister of State for Information Technology, Anusha Rehman also attended the meeting and stated that she wants NADRA and telecommunication companies to reach a decision on the cost of implementing the biometric system so that the process of verification could start as soon as possible.
Representatives of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Crisis Management Cell, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Special Branch of Sindh Police also briefed Nisar on the issue.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali said on Thursday that the government is planning to make the process of acquiring new mobile SIM cards more difficult.
Addressing a meeting on the issue, he said that the move will be a way to tackle security threats.
The interior minister also expressed his reservations on the current procedure of acquiring new SIMs.
"The use of unverified and unregistered SIMs is a threat to Pakistan's security," he said in a statement issued to The Express Tribune.
He said that no compromises will be made on the issue with cellular companies because it is a matter of national security.
The interior minister directed that a fast track system be put in place to eradicate the issue permanently.
He said that making the process of acquiring a new mobile SIM card more difficult will make it easier for the authorities to track down criminals.
Commenting on the adverse effects it might have on the telecommunication industry, he said, "the current government is business friendly and would do its utmost to help the industry. However, no concessions will be made on matters of security."
Chairman National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) Tariq Malik said that they have the capacity to verify SIMs by using a biometric system.
"The system will integrate the process of SIM verification with the updated NADRA database that contains all the biometric information of the citizens," said Malik.
Minister of State for Information Technology, Anusha Rehman also attended the meeting and stated that she wants NADRA and telecommunication companies to reach a decision on the cost of implementing the biometric system so that the process of verification could start as soon as possible.
Representatives of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Crisis Management Cell, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Special Branch of Sindh Police also briefed Nisar on the issue.