System to block stolen mobiles
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in collaboration with mobile operators has evolved a system to block snatched/stolen cellular handsets.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has also constituted a cell with the help of police to counter increasing incidents of mobile snatching, said Parliamentary Secretary of Cabinet Division Dr Kausar Firdous during National Assembly (NA), Question Hour here on Monday.
She added, it is the responsibility of the police to return the stolen and snatched mobile sets to their owner, as PTA is the only blocking authority.
Elaborating the system, she said through this system mobile subscribers are facilitated to obtain their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number by dialing *#06#.
In case of snatching/theft subscriber can contact to report the incident on 15 Police Help line, PTA’s Toll Free Number 080025625, Citizens-Police Liaison committee(CPLC)on phone No. 021-5682222 or even email: [email protected] The blocking will disable its usage, she added.
She said that a Zonal Office of PTA has been established at Karachi and has been declared a “Central Body” of the network formed for the purpose of coordinated efforts in implementing the IMEI policy.
The parliamentary secretary answering a supplementary question from Ejaz Chaudhry that there were reports of distributors/franchisers not complying with the instructions of PTA and issuing chips without Identity Card copy, said that the law is there, if in certain cases it is ignored it should be pointed out.
The dealers are instructed to issue the SIM on verification from the original CNIC. To another question, Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that Pakistan would soon sign agreement with Qatar regarding manpower export.
To another question the minister said that in 78,000 labor were exported in 1999-2000, last year 143,000 and this year 184,000 manpower was exported.
Answering another question on capacity building of manpower in Balochistan, the minister said that training centers have been opened in Balochistan as well in the country under the title of National Commission for Vocational & Technical Education (NEVTEC).
Replying to another question by Samina Khalid Ghurki, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Sher Afgan Khan Niazi said that Federal Secretaries are being allotted an additional plot at Islamabad.
He added, the facility of allotment is under consideration with the Interior Division in consultation with the Housing and Works Division. The facilities of orderly or a driver have been circulated by Finance Division he added.
Source: The Nation
Date:2/20/2007
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