PTA To block imported mobile phones on March 16 2019
On March 16, 2019, all the mobile phones which aren’t registered through DIRBS nor had paid the taxes/duties are at the risk of being blocked. This action is being taken by the Pakistan Telecommunication services (PTA), following the announcement made on January 15, 2019. After the DIRBS (Device Identification Registration and Blocking System) is made operational in January, a grace period of 60 days was given to the owners of the mobile phones to get them registered through the authorities. This announcement is particularly for the phones which are imported.
Are you wondering when PTA will block imported phones?
PTA will block imported phones on March 16 2019
Passengers traveling to Pakistan are allowed to bring one mobile phone in one calendar year. That mobile will be duty-free, if a passenger is carrying more than one handset then he has to pay the taxes. This decision is taken by the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Telecommunication on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.
The policy is made linear because Pakistan is seeking possibilities to increase the percentage of tourism in the country. Initially, taxes were made compulsory on every handset and there was no escaping, except to get registered.
As per the announcement made by the Customs, to make the handset registration hassle-free, PTA has set up the website where the passengers would be able to register their cell phones online. Payments can be made online too. Network operating companies are also working hand in hand with PTA, you can visit the nearest franchise and get your handset registered.
Mobile Phone Registration Requirements
- Passport number
- CNIC number
- IMIE (International Motile Equipment Identity)
This information will be processed through the automated system. An owner has to pay the allowances calculated by the system according to the baggage rules.
Since the system is operational, 34,000 phones have got registered and 1.5 million of tax has been collected. This is a great step taken by the PTA to regularize the Telecom Policy 2015, these measures will help to reduce the illegal imports of handsets which hugely effects the consumer interest.
