PTA ordered that all illegal SIMs be blocked with immediate effect. PHOTO: FILE
Upon holding a meeting with telecommunication companies, PTA officials pointed out that unverified and unregistered SIMs had a part to play in increasing crime and terrorism in the country.
It was agreed that the unverified SIMs be immediately blocked.
If someone finds that a SIM card has been blocked by mistake, they can request unblocking from the mobile operators.
However, SIMs will only be unblocked after carrying out thorough investigation.
Currently, there are 4, 500,000 unverified SIMs in Pakistan and the number does not include SIMs that are unregistered.
Mobile operators have already started taking action on PTA's directive, reported Express News correspondent.
Earlier, interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had emphasised on making the process of acquiring new SIMs more difficult.
“The use of unverified and unregistered SIMs is a threat to Pakistan’s security,” he had said in a statement issued to The Express Tribune.
He had added that no compromises will be made on the issue with cellular companies because it is a matter of national security.
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