CJ says illegal SIMs being used for crimes in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Friday said that illegal mobile SIMs are being used for criminal activities, including kidnapping for ransom, bomb blasts and target killing in northern areas and the adjoining areas, while Tehrik-e-Taliban are also using these SIMs for communication amongst themselves, Geo News reported.

The three-member Supreme Court bench headed by the Chief Justice is hearing the Balochistan law and order case here.

In his remarks the Chief Justice said, that “Till a few years ago, there was no case of sectarianism in Balochistan and now it has become the heaven of criminals”, CJ said.

DIG Balochistan informed the court that more than 700 SIMs have been issued in one name. SIMs are being activated with data available in the electoral voter lists, he said.

Justice Sheikh Azmat in his remarks said that globally this is known as identity theft.

CJ Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed that the court's May 21, 2012 order relating to the sale of mobile phone SIMs was issued after meeting with all the stakeholders including PTA.