Around 61,000 mobile handsets have been blocked during first six months after launch of International Mobile Equipment Identity Number (IMEI) system to tackle menace of cell phone theft. Similarly, more than 2,689 handsets have also been unblocked while monthly addition in the number of unblocked handsets is also increasing.
The increasing trend in the blocking of handsets is itself a proof of the success of the system which was launched last year under a central IMEI based system across the country for blocking the stolen mobile handsets.
An official at Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Sunday said on average 300 complaints are being received on daily basis by PTA and City Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) for the blockage of snatched and stolen mobile phones.
He said the response of public and related organisations is quite encouraging and added presently there is a lot of rush on PTA's and CPLC's numbers. It is expected that it would decrease with the passage of time.
The official recalled, that to introduce the system arrangements were made through concerted efforts, and industry consultation and cooperation. He said the complaints for handsets thefts have been registered countrywide and added main issue of handset theft was in the city of Karachi.
Therefore, the official said major portion of complaints registered with Authority is from Karachi, which is 56 percent of the total complaints. Other cities with major complaints are Lahore, Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Rawalpindi/Islamabad and Multan.
He said during the last few years, the mobile handset theft was on rise including cases of snatching and stealing, and to safeguard the interests of the mobile users, PTA endeavoured to control the situation through industry cooperation and with the help, of City Police Liaison Committee (CPLC).
He said consequently PTA along with other, stakeholders chalked out the Strategy for placing the IMEI/EIR facility. PTA also devised procedure for registration of complaints for stolen mobile handsets and widely, publicised it in national press.
Complaints can be registered at PTA Toll free Number 080025625, PTA Email; [email protected], CPLC Karachi Nos. 021-5682222, 5683333 and CPLC Karachi Fax No 021-5683336, CPLC Karachi Website: www.cplc.org.pk, CPLC Karachi email: [email protected]
On receiving such complaints, PTA forwards the IMEI number to all mobile operators and they immediately block the stolen/snatched mobile handsets using their IMEI number which can be accessed by dialling 106 from the mobile set.
Further, a database have been made available at PTA web site www.pta.gov.pk where users, buyers of used mobile handsets and mobile phone traders can check the status of mobile handsets by putting 15 digit IMEI number in the Search bar.
All stolen/snatched handsets reported to PTA/CPLC so far have been placed in the database.
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