, Nov. 22 -- Amid rising concerns over the national security risks posed by clone and tampered mobile devices, the government is preparing to launch the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), a central system designed to block the use of illegal phones.

Officials, however, say the initiative is facing resistance from criminal networks that profit from the clone-phone trade, posing a challenge to the smooth implementation of the measure.

Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser in charge of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, said the government will block all cloned, illegally imported and smuggled mobile phones, adding that there will be 'no concessions' in removing such devices ...