Issue of unregistered and unverified SIMs escalated yesterday when G M Chaudhry advocate submitted a writ petition in Islamabad High Court and pleaded that the telecom companies be charged as partner-in-crime in all incidents wherein non-registered SIMs are used for criminal or terror activities.
Petitioner contended that there were countless incidents when he was harassed and threatened through mobile telecommunication services, provided directly or indirectly by the mobile phone companies.
He said that mobile phone companies had failed to provide any information about any such person who committed such offence by taking the plea of secrecy and confidentiality whereas there is no concept of confidentiality or secrecy in the telecommunication laws about name and address of any user.
Petitioner contended before the court that the crime rate has been manifold due to availability of non-registered SIMs as the telecom companies provide easy communication and mobility to criminal elements.
Criminals are keeping multiple SIMs to contact their intending victims that is resulting in the incidents like extortion, kidnapping, abduction and other criminal activities. It was also contended that the chief executive officers (CEOs) of the concerned telecom companies be charged as abettors in all criminal incidents wherein non-registered SIMS were used for commission of offence.
While accepting the petition for hearing, Chief Justice (CJ) Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Muhammad Anwar Kasi issued notices to the secretary ministry of information technology and Telecommunication, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), ministry of interior through its secretary, chief executives of the all telecommunication companies and inspector general Islamabad police seeking their reply over the concerns raised by the petitioner.
IHC CJ directed the respondents to submit reply within 10 days time.
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