Citing security, Altaf calls for regulation of SIM cards
Karachi: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has demanded of the federal government to introduce strict laws on the use of mobile phone SIM cards, as mobile phones were being used by terrorists and criminals to carry out bomb blasts, kidnap people for ransom and extort money from traders and shopkeepers.
Hussain, who was speaking to Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik on the phone, said that it was necessary that such heinous crimes and incidents be curtailed by rigorous checking.
Malik informed the MQM founder that the government had suspended mobile services on the occasion of Eidul Fitr in view of the threats of terrorism, and that this procedure had been successful.
He also noted that terrorists were primarily using snatched phones and prepaid SIM cards; hence the government was considering various steps to regulate the buying and selling of mobile phones and SIM cards. He said that the government was also thinking about proscribing the use of prepaid mobile connections.
Hussain assured Malik of his full cooperation and said that the government should take urgent and effective steps for eliminating terrorism as there was nothing more important than human life.
Hussain also regretted the registration of a blasphemy case against an 11-year-old Christian girl, Rifta Masih, and said that such incidents were creating unrest and a sense of insecurity among the religious minorities. He said that steps needed to be taken to avoid such incidents in the future.
Malik, in turn, assured Hussain that Masih’s issue would be resolved soon, and lauded him for his efforts for promoting religious tolerance and sectarian harmony.
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