KARACHI, July 17: A proposal prepared by the police is ready to be sent to the home department to impose section 144 of the criminal procedure code to force the shopkeepers and dealers to document the sale and purchase of used cellphones.

Well-placed sources said that police had been facing difficulties in implementing the documentation process of resale of cellphones without the presence of proper law.

The police officials observed that the shopkeepers and dealers were avoiding documentation especially in trading of the used mobile phones. Though the documentation of economy was essential, the police could not do much in implementing documentation process except invoking sections 54 and 550 of the CrPC.

It was proposed that for the effective implementation of agreement reached between the police, the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) and the Karachi Electronics Dealers’ Association (KEDA), the section 144 of the CrPC was necessary to be imposed. Any violation may be declared crime as administrative measure at least for the time being. It was observed that the imposition of the proposed section would strengthen the KEDA’s position and give law enforcers an opportunity to play a proactive role.

The sources said that the proposal was prepared after it was discussed with the representatives of the CPLC. It was also suggested that the proposed section should be extended to the entire of the city including other markets like Quaidabad, North Nazimabad, Sarena Market near Sakhi Hasan roundabout, Lyari, New Karachi, Landhi, etc.

They said that the role of the CPLC and police was highlighted in restoring cellphones and handing them over to their owners, but it was an informal arrangement based upon trust and mutual understanding between the owners, CPLC and police as no case was registered and the entire process was informal. Stolen sets were also made non-operational through an informal arrangement.

Therefore, it was suggested to the provincial government to make proper legislation to regularize the entire process and in the meantime, the present process should be allowed to continue.

Sources recalled that according to the agreement reached between the KEDA, police and the CPLC, every shopkeeper and dealer was bound to collect a copy of the national ID card from the person willing to sell his cellphone and note down the relevant details about the seller and the cellphone.

However, the shopkeepers and the dealers did not honour the agreement as a whole. It has been observed that all the used cellphones recovered from shops were not documented, as was the agreement. The KEDA was cooperating with the police and the CPLC but it had its own constraints being an elected body, it was stated in the proposal.

Since January this year, more than 11,500 cellphones were either snatched or stolen in different localities in the city.