Sindh Home Minister, Rauf Siddiqi has directed that all the mobile telephone companies should take immediate steps to check crimes committed through illegal SIMs. He was speaking as chief guest at a function held at Bahadur Yar Jung Academy here on Thursday.
He made it clear that if in cases an illegal SIM is recovered from professional persons or criminals, not only a case will be registered against the criminal but also against the dealer or company responsible for selling illegal SIMs.
Home Minister said at present six mobile phone companies are operating in Pakistan which have sold some 30 million mobile connections out of which 70 percent sold in Karachi alone.
He referred to one mobile company which, he disclosed, sold 11,000 connections were sold on just one fake identity card while another company sold 6000 connections on one fake NIC.
He held these mobile telephone companies, which sold illegal SIMs, responsible for street crimes and cases of cellular phone snatchings.
He disclosed that number of cases of selling SIMs is in 100s and 50s sold on fake NICs to one person.
Rauf Siddiqi said that all mobile telephone companies would instal FIR device for jamming the mobile phones by September.
On the occasion he paid tributes to organisers of the programme and said those nations which forget their heroes cannot progress.
He said Pakistan was achieved after prolonged struggle and great sacrifices and its foundations have the blood and sweat of our national heroes.
The Minister said the spirit, under which this country was achieved, has to be transferred to our new generation and inform them about our benefactors and heroes.
He lamented that people does not attend such functions in big numbers. He said this function would have over-spilled if organisers had invited Michel Jackson for performance. He said he feel it a great honour for himself that he has been invited as chief guest.
On the occasion, the Home Minister presented prizes to top three winners of Bahadur Yar Jung declamation contest.
The winners were Junaid Ansari (NED), Sarwat Rooma (Khurshid Girls College) and Navin Jalal (Apwa Girls College).
He also announced Rs 5000 for each of the three top winners and commendation certificates on behalf of his Ministry.