ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), in consultation with ministries of information technology, interior and other stakeholders, is fine tuning features of a biometric system for ensuring that no body gets a SIM with false identity.
According to official sources, currently under the directions of ministry of interior and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Nadra is in the process of evolving a biometric verification system for use at mobile companies’ outlets to stop issuance of illegal SIMs.
During a meeting of Senate’s standing committee on interior affairs on Wednesday, Information Minister Pervez Rashid had accused mobile phone companies of being equally responsible for the prevailing terrorist attacks in the country due to illegal issuance of mobile SIMs.
Rashid indicated that owners of cellular phone companies, whose SIMs were used in such attacks would be arrested and tried under anti-terrorism laws.
Nadra had been providing its expertise to cellular mobile operators so that they can verify the national identity cards of citizens when they purchase SIMs from their franchises.
But now loopholes have appeared in the system as people can buy illegal SIMs by using false identity card information extracted from voter lists available on compacts discs in the market.
An agreement between Nadra and cellular companies is being negotiated to finalise modalities of the biometric verification system.
The PTA is also looking afresh on its standard operating procedures for issuance of SIMs.
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