Islamabad, October 08, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications has directed Pakistan Telecommunications Authority and NADRA to d view a comprehensive mechanism to check sale/issuance of illegal SIMs. The Committee further directed to devise a system in collaboration with NADRA for closure of SIMs issued in the name of deceased persons. The Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication meet with Mr. Ali Khan Jadoon, MNA in the chair.
While discussing the recommendations of the Committee made during previous meetings, the Committee expressed its displeasure over the lethargy of the relevant departments in devising a system for closure of SIMs. The Committee was of the view that use of illegally issued SIMs was posing threat to national security besides security and privacy of the private individuals. The Committee also directed that Director General FIA and Chairman PTA should ensure their presence in the next meeting.
The representative of PTA apprised the Committee that NADRA being the custodian of national data has agreed to share the data of the deceased persons to PTA and the SIMs issued in the names of deceased would be blocked forthwith. The representative further apprised about the actions taken by the Authority to address issuance of SIMs illegally.
The Committee appointed a Sub-Committee under the Convenership of Mr. Mehmood Shah, MNA to discuss and suggest measures for ensuring telecommunication services in the country especially Balochistan and erstwhile FATA. The Committee has been asked to submit its report within thirty days.
The Committee on the request of M/o I.T and Telecom allowed the Ministry to withdraw Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The Ministry submitted that the Bill initially aimed to amend the law to provide I.T infrastructure for e-health and e-education.
However, in the present emerging I.T and Telecommunication requirements, it need more time to ponder and bring comprehensive amendments in the existing Law. The Committee disposed of the Electronic Transaction Bill, 2019 moved by Mr. Amjid Ali Khan, MNA accepting the point of view of the Ministry. The Ministry had contended that the existing law as comprehensive and amending the law would be duplication.
The meeting was attended by MNAs; Mr. Sher Ali Arbab, Makhdoom Zain Hussain Qureshi, Mr. Muhammad Abdul Ghafar Wattoo, Mr. Muhammad Aslam Khan, Ms. Javaria Zafar Aheer, Ms. Kanwal Shauzab, Mr. Muhammad Hashim, Mr. Ali Gohar Khan, Ms. Aysha Rajab Ali, Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Ms. Maiza Hameed, Ms. Shamim Ara Panhwar, Mr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, Ms. Naz Baloch, Syed Mehmood Shah and Secretary M/o Information Technology and Telecommunication and other officers of concerned departments.
For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk