ISLAMABAD, Oct 17: In a continued bid to thwart the sale of new mobile phone SIMs without proper documentation, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Wednesday directed five GSM mobile phone operators to immediately seal and terminate registration of their 11 more franchises located in different cities across the country.

“These franchises were selling mobile connections without following the standard operating procedures laid down by the PTA,” said the PTA spokesman while talking to Dawn as he emphasised that there would be no compromise on violations of rules.

The PTA took similar action against six franchises of mobile operators in September 2007 on violation of procedures for sale of new mobile connections.

“This is in line with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority ’s commitment to streamline the sale of new mobile connections and to take strict action against the SIM sellers not adhering to the standard procedures,” said the spokesman.

The spokesman said that the random surveys of customer service centres, franchises and retailers of all mobile companies had been conducted by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Zonal offices located at Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi and Quetta to determine the progress on issuance of new phone connection after fulfilling all requirements in line with the instructions of the authority.

The shortcomings observed on part of the mobile phone operators in these surveys were communicated to the heads of mobile companies to be sorted out. They were also informed about the possible legal actions against those who violate the procedures.

“PTA will seal any franchise engaged in sales of unauthorised SIMs to customers,” he said.