IT is a good initiative by the government to verify each and every SIM as it will not only help in countering terrorism but also work as a tool against cyber-crime.

Telecommunications companies should also be lauded for their support as they are spending huge amounts of money for completion of the verification process.

However, there are some problems and hurdles in this process as well. I would like to highlight one of them, which I faced while getting my SIMs verified.

I have two SIMS, one each of Zong and Mobilink. To get these SIMs verified I had to visit different franchises. This was very inconvenient.

The problem is greater for individuals who have even more SIMs, as they have to visit each operator’s franchise separately instead of getting them verified at one common point.

I wish to suggest to the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority to establish such verification centres in public areas to help people verify SIMs of different operators at the same time.

It would be convenient for the public and also expedite the whole process of biometric verification.

Noman Masood

Karachi

(2)

ALTHOUGH women account for more than half of the country’s population, they do not have enough opportunities. Here is an experience: I thrice visited the franchise about the verification of my SIM, but because of the huge presence of men my SIM verification request was not entertained. As a household woman, it is very difficult for her to stay out and be part of the line.

I request the authorities concerned to extend the verification date or assign a separate counter for women.

Sumaiya Zulfiqar

Karachi

(3)

THE SIM verification launched by PTA, Nadra and the ministry concerned is another proof of official incompetence. Oversight on the part of the policymakers may amount to the first step in the disenfranchisement of citizens aged over 65.

Fingerprints of persons over 65 are usually not attainable because of erasure of skin contours on account of the ageing process. As a result, Nadra does not verify such finger impressions despite the possession of valid national identity cards by affected persons.

So they are left with two options: either to exist without cellphones after Feb 26 (the cut-off date for cancelling unverified SIMs) or to transfer their SIMs into names of nominees. Either way, this is a violation of the rights of the affected.

Irshad Abdul Kadir

Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2015

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