Lahore: The court took strict notice of the growing problem of unregistered SIMs and fake mobile accounts and directed the concerned institutions to take immediate action. During the hearing, Justice Ali Zia Bajwa expressed concern and said that the sale of unverified SIMs has created serious problems for the public.
The court summoned the Director General of the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency and a senior officer of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on October 6. Along with this, a complete report of unregistered SIMs across the country was also ordered to be submitted.
During the hearing, the court was told that 773 unverified SIMs were recovered from one accused. Justice Bajwa remarked that crores of rupees are being collected as ransom through fake mobile accounts, has it now become so easy for anyone to open a fake account under any name?
The PTA’s counsel explained that it is almost impossible to open a fake bank account, but due to the lack of strict conditions in the mobile account system, it is being misused. The court clarified that strict regulations and effective verification systems on this issue are essential to protect the public from fraud and financial loss.
