ISLAMABAD: The government has finally decided to conduct a crackdown against the elements involved in fraudulent practices with reference to the Ehsaas project and spreading disinformation about it. In a key meeting held here on Friday to discuss measures to combat such fraud and disinformation being spread through through cell phones, websites and apps, Senator Dr Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM), said the Ehsaas team will work together with all stakeholders to ensure security and safety of the project.
The meeting was attended by senior officials and representatives from the Law Division, security agencies, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and cellular mobile operators on the table.
Chairman PTA, Maj Gen (Rtd) Amir Azeem Bajwa along with senior officials of Ehsaas including Secretary Ismat Tahira and DG Technology Mir Anwar were also present in the meeting.
Bringing rich perspectives to the table, the participants discussed the issues of fake websites, fake sms and Whatsapp messages, phoney apps, obtaining information and defrauding innocent people while using the name of Ehsaas.
Dr Sania constituted a joint working group comprising senior officials and representatives from Ehsaas Technology team, PTA and the security agencies.
“The working group will meet on the weekly cadence to map the snags in the technological ecosystem and will devise an oversight mechanism and legal amendments in the existing laws with zero tolerance for any fraudulent activity taking place,” said Dr Sania.
“I will personally attend the weekly meetings,” she said.
It has been observed that some miscreants have been running fake websites and mobile applications to rob poor people and the prospective Ehsaas beneficiaries. “Scammers who send fake messages and make calls to deceive potential /existing beneficiaries will be dealt with strictly,” said Dr Sania.
To tackle the menace, PTA, security agencies, Law Division, Telcos and other stakeholders assured full cooperation and support to Ehsaas.
