non-bailable offence and offering rewards for informants.
In this connection a high level meeting was held in the Ministry of Interior presided by Federal Minister for Interior, Senator A. Rehman Malik to examine the ways and means to curb Gray Traffic in Pakistan. Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology and DG, FIA were present. Representatives of PTA and other government departments also attended.
After extensive deliberations, the following decisions were taken:-
1. The capacity of monitoring system which is presently only 30% needs to go to the level of 100%. Ministry of Information Technology has been requested to move the matter for sanction of funds.
2. It was also observed that the recent blockage of unauthorized SIMS will have a positive impact in reduction of Gray Traffic. Public has been advised that all those who have got more than the prescribed limits of SIMS should surrender immediately to PTA as a thorough scrutiny of the SIMs has been ordered and any body found in possession of those SIMS shall be proceed with in accordance with the law.
3. It has also been observed that V fone system is being used by the Gray Traffickers. It was decided that more than three lines by any individual/premises/department will have to get an NOC from the PTA and its information shall be supplied to the FIA.
4. It has also been decided to recommend to enhance the punishment/penalty for the violators from three years to seven years
and fine from Rs. 10 million to Rs. 50 million besides making it non-bailable offence.
5. It was also decided in the meeting that 20 million cash reward shall be given to anyone who will point out the Gray Traffic to the authorities and 10% of the recovery will also be given to the informer.
6. A copy of the daily monitoring report of the PTA shall be supplied to the FIA directly with a copy to the Ministry of Information
Technology.
7. A Task Force has been announced whereby a team will be headed by Director, FIA Mr. Shahid Nadeem Baloch and sub task forces comprising of representatives from ISI, IB, PTA and local police will also be constituted. The Task Force will submit every fortnightly report of their progress on the cases/raids to curb gray traffic.
8. Those who will be arrested while indulging in gray traffic will be made public through electronic and print media.
9. The mobile operators/service providers have been advised to exercise extra caution/due diligence before issuance of such SIM Cards as they will be liable for legal action as recommended by the task force.
10. It has also been decided by the Government that there will be zero tolerance for gray traffic in Pakistan and its progress/monitoring shall be jointly done by the Secretary Interior and Secretary Information Technology.
11. It is appealed to the public that if they get any international call being terminated into their mobile or land line through a local
number it, should immediately be reported to the telephone numbers (i) PTA 080055055, (ii) NCMC:051-9211224 and (iii) Director FIA: 051-9267250. The information of the informer shall be kept secret.
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