I AM a Pakistani who is currently working overseas. During one of my trips to Pakistan, I had used my CNIC to purchase a SIM for use during my stay in Pakistan, which I stopped using after my return. I do not even recall the number anymore.

Using the SIM information system 668, developed by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), I am now shocked to find that multiple SIMs have been illegally issued against my CNIC. Being resident overseas, I am not able to personally visit the relevant Customer Service Centre to get the illegal SIMs cancelled, according to the procedure formulated by the PTA. The same situation will also be faced by millions of other Pakistanis who live overseas.

There is an urgent need for another procedure by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority to allow overseas Pakistanis to also get the SIMs that have been illegally issued against their CNIC cancelled without having to come to Pakistan and visit the Customer Service Centre concerned.

If this is not done, a large number of illegal SIMs will remain in use, which will suit cell-phone companies nicely but will be bad for the security situation in the country.

TARIQ RAZA
Via email