Court orders streamlining SIMs to foil terror plots

The court gave very strict orders to keep a check on their selling, activation and usage.

Noorwali Shah September 28, 2013

The court gave very strict orders to keep a check on their selling, activation and usage. PHOTO: FILE

PESHAWAR:

Cellular service providers have decreased not only the charges of outgoing calls, but also the price of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards. This may prove to be an easy tool in the hands of anti-state elements for use in terrorist activities.

The usage of unregistered SIMs against the state has prompted the judiciary to compel the government and service providers to streamline the sale and activation process so as to minimise usage by terrorist groups. The Peshawar High Court (PHC), in its September 13 hearing of case on extortion concerning a doctor in Swabi, took suo motu notice on usage of SIMs in illegal activities, particularly in extortion. Unregistered SIMs also play a huge part in the usage of improvised explosive devices (IED).

On September 24, the PHC summoned the chiefs of cellular service providers and questioned them over selling SIMs without proper verification. Unsatisfied with the response, the court gave very strict orders to keep a check on their selling, activation and usage. The PHC said any company whose SIMs were found to be used in any terrorist acts would pay compensation to all families of the deceased and injured. Moreover, the company would be ordered to stop the sale of illegal SIMs and the outlets which do not comply would be shut down.

The court also directed Home and Tribal Affairs Department Secretary Akhtar Ali Shah to form a joint task force comprising representatives from intelligence agencies, police and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to work day and night to end the usage of illegal SIMs.

“The practice of using mobile SIMs illegally is the main tool used in terrorist and extortion activities these days and if this usage was banned, it would decrease terrorism by 70 to 80%. Intercepting calls through illegal SIMs is very difficult compared to wireless and satellite phones,” explained a senior police official. He added mobile outlets issue SIMs to people who do not even have CNIC cards, claiming anyone can issue multiple SIMs using someone else’s CNIC.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2013.