Interior minister says unregistered SIMs threaten national security

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Thursday said that the use of unverified and unregistered SIMs was a threat to national security.

"I am deeply concerned over the procedure of acquiring new mobile phone connection in Pakistan. Anyone can get as many SIM as they want easily. Strict regulation is required in this regard", the minister said this while chairing a high-level meeting held to discuss the issues pertaining to national security.

Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rehman and representatives for NADRA, FIA, NCMC, PTA and Special Branch of Sindh Police attended the meeting.

During the meeting the minister said, "No compromise will be made on this issue with cellular companies, because this matter relates to national security."

He ordered for the establishment of a fast-track system to resolve this issue permanently.

“The new system will help the concerned authorities to track the activities of criminals and terrorists and take preemptive measures to stop them”, said he.

The minister said that the current government was business-friendly and would try its best to help the telecommunication industry to prosper in Pakistan, however no compromise would be made on national security.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman NADRA Tariq Malik said that NADRA had the capacity to verify the SIMs by using biometric system.

"We can integrate the process of SIM verification with the updated NADRA database that contains all biometric information of the citizens", said he.

The Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rehman said that she would like NADRA and the telecommunication companies to reach a consensus on the cost of implementing the biometric system.

Finally, the Minister discussed the problems relating to immigration and directed that all entry and exit points of the country should be monitored thoroughly and strict discipline should be maintained at the immigration counters.

He asked the officers to ensure that other people should not be allowed to breach the queues reserved for women, children, and senior citizens.

The Minister also directed the Director General FIA to set up complaint and comment counters at all major airports of the country, in order to incorporate the opinion of the passengers for improvements of the system. (APP)