The Network for Consumer Protection has expressed grave concern over the misuse of national identity cards by cell phone service providers. Referring to a complaint, submitted to The Network's Consumer Complaint Cell by a resident of Islamabad contending that his CNIC copy was utilised by a mobile phone operator for issuing 49 connections in his name to unnamed customers.
The Network in a statement on Thursday said that such practices on the part of mobile phone operators could bear severe consequences to consumers. "To increase the sales at every cost in the tough and competitive market, the companies are ignoring formal documentation and fulfilling of legal formality", it said.
Consumer Complaint Cell of the Network received a complaint from Muddassir Rizvi, resident of Islamabad, who submitted that he was contacted by the Mobilink Company for making obnoxious calls to someone from a number, registered against his name.
When he clarified his situation that he never subscribed such number, he was told that he had subscribed 49 connections.
Rizvi contacted the company and told them that he only subscribed a number from Jinnah Super Market franchise of the company by providing a copy of his CNIC, which was misused by the franchise people.
He also requested the company to forthwith block all the SIMS, registered in his name. But Rizvi had to face another shock when no further action was taken by the company and all 49 SIMS are still active.
The statement urged Pakistan Telecom Authority, the sole regulator of the sector, to investigate this irregularity so that the citizens, who abide by the law are not punished for deeds that they haven't committed.