Afghan SIMs banning in border areas to curb terror, Govt Pakistan

ISLAMABAD– Authorities are considering blocking signals of Afghan cellular networks near the border areas to curb terror and criminal activities in Pakistan, it has been learnt.

According to reliable sources, Pakistani intelligence agencies have advised imposing a ban on the usage of Afghan SIMs (subscriber identity modules) in border regions following the revelation about their misuse in terrorism and criminal activities.

They said unregistered Afghan SIM cards were readily available in the border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan which terrorists employed to operate messaging apps, such as WhatsApp.

They said besides terrorists, criminals also used Afghan SIMs for the purpose of surveillance and concealing their identities.

To address this issue, sources said, the intelligence agencies recommended establishment of a robust local mobile service infrastructure in the border areas to encourage citizens to switch to local networks.

The agencies also proposed implementing a requirement for users to provide identification before accessing open Wi-Fi networks, added sources.

It has also been suggested that users should undergo identification verification when suspicious activities are detected on Wi-Fi connections.

Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with Pakistan in November.

While,

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that all illegal Afghans must leave Pakistan by October 31 otherwise Pakistani law will take its own course.

Pakistan civilian and military leadership took the decision in the apex committee to launch a massive operation against the illegal Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan.

“Facilitation will be provided to those who voluntarily return to their countries but action will be taken against the illegal alien who does not return within 25 days,” the spokesperson said.

It is pertinent to note that now only 25 days left for the evacuation of foreigners residing illegally in Pakistan.

“Pakistan’s laws regarding illegal residents are very clear and violators of the law will be fined and deported while no country can grant freedom of illegal residence to a person,” she added.

“Action will be taken against the people of the countries including Afghanistan who are living illegally in Pakistan and case of registered refugees is different, it will be decided later,” she added.

“The caretaker foreign minister’s meeting with his Afghan counterpart in Tibet was positive,” she added.

Speaking to SAMAA Special Correspondent Nayar Ali in Islamabad, the FO spokesperson said that India has not given visas to journalists and fans for the Cricket World Cup.

“India has been asked to fully protect our national team,” she added.

KP home department has convened an important meeting next week, in which representatives of the police and other law enforcement agencies will participate.

It has been directed to institutions related to the compilation of data on Afghan residents residing in the province and the geo-tagging process of Afghan residents in KP will be reviewed.

KP home department said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is home to the largest number of illegal Afghans and provincial authorities are all set to issue special instructions to institutions for a possible operation from November 1.