KARACHI, Jan 30: The police authorities are seeking strict rules and regulations for fool-proof verification of mobile phone applicants.

The intelligence authorities investigating the case of missing US-based reporter Daniel Pearl said the journalist received last phone call from a cellular phone which was acquired after depositing a fake national identity card.

“Although we have found some clues through that cell phone number, we would like the government to compel mobile companies for proper verification of applications,” a senior police official said here on Wednesday.

All the leading mobile phone service providers, including Mobilink, Instaphone, Paktel and U-Phone in competition with each other are providing cellular phone connections in simplified procedures to lure customers.

The police had detained the dealer of the cell phone company that provided the cell phone on fake papers to a customer who made calls to Daniel Pearl on Jan 23 — the day of his mysterious disappearance.

There are at least 0.6 million cell phone users across the country.—APP