Pakistan Shuts Down Retailers Breaking SIM Sale Regulations

Pakistan's telecoms authority, the PTA has ordered the five mobile operators to seal and terminate registration of the 11 franchisees located in different cities across the country. These franchisees were selling mobile connections without following the standard procedure laid down by PTA - which now requires all new subscribers to provide proof of identity before they are allowed to sign up for a mobile service.

Three of the shops belong to Mobilink and two each belong to Ufone, Warid Telecom, CMPak and Telenor Pakistan

The PTA took similar action against six franchisees of mobile operators in September on violation of PTA procedures for sale of new mobile connections. PTA says that it has taken serious view of non-verification of SIMs and has warned for further action against franchisees violating PTA procedures for issuance of new SIMS.

Posted to the site on 25th November 2007