Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has directed that mobile companies would continue to issue SIM cards from their self owned and operated business centers as well as franchise centers after due verification from National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). However, the sale of SIMs from retail network shall remain suspended until the biometric devices are deployed at each center.
The PM took these decisions after he met a delegation of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of private cellular operators at the PM House on Thursday.
The PM further decided that conditions of delivering SIMs by couriers and second identity for issuance are to be dispensed forthwith. He also withdrew the earlier restriction imposed on mobile number portability (MNP) and said that the present arrangement of number portability would continue due to high integrity of data.
Ashraf directed the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Information Technology to immediately coordinate with Customs and other relevant authorities to streamline the import and local assembling of cellular handsets in the country and ensure that all handsets bear unique identification numbers (IMEI) and those without IMEI or duplicate IMEI be banned.
Ashraf also said the government had taken a decision to expedite the auction of 3-G mobile license in the country keeping in view the benefits it would bring for the people in the shape of providing easy access to employment opportunities, education, health, agriculture and other social needs.