A recent report has exposed the extensive use of Afghan mobile phone SIM cards in acts of terrorism and criminal activities within Pakistan. The report sheds light on the disturbing ways in which these SIMs are being exploited, alongside a disconcerting discovery regarding the involvement of many National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) officers in facilitating the addition of Afghan names to Pakistani families. The report highlights that unregistered Afghan SIM cards are alarmingly accessible in the border regions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

 These SIMs have become a preferred tool for terrorists operating in the region, enabling them to communicate and coordinate their activities discreetly. Popular communication apps like WhatsApp and others are used on these Afghan SIMs, allowing terrorists to maintain anonymity while planning and executing their nefarious acts. Many Afghans have been found to have fraudulently acquired Pakistani identity cards, often with the complicity of corrupt NADRA officials.  Beyond terrorism, these Afghan SIMs have been implicated in a range of serious crimes, including murder and kidnapping for ransom.

 In response to the report's findings, recommendations have been made to address these security challenges effectively. It has been suggested that measures should be taken to curtail the use of Afghan SIMs in sensitive border areas. Additionally, the report underscores the importance of strict monitoring of suspicious activities on Wi-Fi networks, as this has emerged as another avenue for illicit communication and coordination among individuals involved in ‘unlawful activities’.

 Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)