Illegal arms and SIM cards are key elements in creating law and order situation in Karachi: Zakaria Usman

Islamabad, April 28, 2014 (PPI-OT): The illegal arms and SIM cards are the key elements in creating a law and order situation in the country. The government should devise a mechanism and pursue the officials of mobile phone companies to block the illegal mobile SIMs. The misuse of illegal SIMs is deeply linked to crime and militancy in Pakistan.

This was stated by Zakaria Usman, after a meeting with Inspector General Police (Sindh), Add. IG Police Sindh at Federation House, the day before yesterday. The said meeting was attended a large number of the members of FPCCI and business community.

He further said that the law enforcement agencies including police and rangers are worried about the illegal SIMs and they are demanding to block these SIMs since 2002. The IG Police Sindh specially requested the President FPCCI to take up the matter with concerned authorities in the government and the mobile phone companies as well.

Zakaria Usman further said that most of the serious crimes, including kidnapping for ransom, target killings and extortion, are being committed with the help of illegal SIMs. The business community is the direct stake holder and targeted by the criminals for extortion and kidnapping against ransom. If the Federal and Provincial governments are sincere to control the law and order situation, they have to get more serious on this issue and revamp the PTA which can force the companies to block every SIM that cannot be proven to belong to a specific individual.

He said that favourable environment plays an important role in investment and industrialization. The law and order situation of Karachi is improving as compared with the past for which Rangers and Police have played an important role and for that they are sacrificing their lives.

He stressed on proper identification with photograph and thumb impression should be obtained before allocating SIM card by the mobile companies. He said that this is the international practice for issuance of mobile SIM card but regrettably it does not followed in Pakistan. They also require copy of the passport from foreigners before issuing the new mobile SIM card.

The authorities should follow this practice and bound all SIM holders to identify their ownership to the mobile SIM card, he urged. If the mobile companies or PTA have any issue or problem that must be brought into the knowledge of the government so that can be resolved.

The FPCCI Chief further said that the illegal SIMs should be blocked immediately and sufficient mobile locators should be provided to law enforcement agencies so that extortion and kidnapping could be controlled. The business community is ready for any support to the government, PTA, Mobile phone companies and the law enforcement agencies in blocking the illegal SIMs.

For more information, contact:
M.A.Lodhi
Secretary General
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI)
B-1, Federation House, Main Clifton Road,
Shahra-e-Firdousi,
Karachi-75600, Pakistan
Tel: 0092-21-35873691, 93-94
Fax: +9221 3587 4332
Email: info@fpcci.com.pk
URL: www.fpcci.com.pk