Has The Pakistani Govt Eliminated PTA Taxes On Cell Phones?

The Pakistani government implemented the Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS) to register and block non-compliant devices on mobile networks.

Amidst unverified social media posts claiming the removal of PTA taxes on imported devices, the government clarified that no official decision has been made regarding this matter.

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The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) emphasized that only overseas Pakistanis are exempt from these taxes. Non-PTA mobile users can temporarily register their devices by restarting them with a SIM card inserted, although this is a temporary measure and does not signal a broader removal of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) taxes on device registration.

PTA outlined its role in verifying the technical standards of mobile devices for registration through DIRBS after FBR taxes are paid. The responsibility for implementing and collecting these taxes lies with the FBR, not the PTA.

PTA advised the public to rely on official sources for updates and refrain from sharing unverified information.