PHC orders PTA to deactivate illegal SIMs immediately

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has ordered the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) to deactivate illegal mobile phone SIMs.

During proceedings of the suo moto case pertaining to illegal SIMs, Chief Justice PHC Dost Muhammad remarked that illegal SIMs were being used in terrorist activity. He added that the IB, ISI, FIA and cellular phone companies should decided on a course of action.

DG PTA and representatives from cellular companies appeared before the court during Tuesday’s hearing.

The court said it should not be forced to cancel the licenses of cellular companies, adding that the country was witnessing devastation, while the companies were running after the dollars.

Justice Dost Muhammad remarked that SIMs were being sold like potatoes. One person had 52 SIMs, while nearly one million Afghan SIMs were being used in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.