August 01, 2008	Friday	Rajab 28, 1429

ISLAMABAD, July 31: The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology has described as flawed the system introduced by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for verifying new cellphone connections and rejected it.

In a meeting presided over by Senator Abul Raziq Khan here on Thursday, the committee observed that incidents of kidnapping for ransom, theft and car lifting were on the rise because of easy availability of undocumented and unverified SIMs.

It observed that mobile phone companies and their franchises continued to violate PTA regulations for issuing SIMs.

It called for rectifying the flaws in the system and directed the PTA to penalise cellphone operators instead of franchisers or retailers for violation of rules.

Senator Raziq Khan showed hundreds of SIMs which had been purchased without submitting any document.

The committee noted with concern that some cellphone companies were introducing packages and incentives for users which violated social and ethical norms.

It asked the PTA to ban publicity of packages which flouted social norms.

It appreciated the growth of the cellphone industry but reiterated its resolve not to compromise on national security and continue to make efforts to improve the system.

Information Technology Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira agreed that there were lacunas in the verification system and said that efforts would be made to remove them.

The PTA chairman said directives had been issued to simplify the verification process and make it more effective. He claimed that sales were being made in accordance with the guidelines of the authority.

He said the system had been introduced by the phone companies and the National Database and Registration Authority and the service agreement was under review.