The federal cabinet is likely to allow import of used mobile devices by amending the Import Policy Order 2016, besides offering amnesty scheme for regularisation of smuggled mobile phones available in the market. The cabinet meeting scheduled for today (Friday) will grant approval for implementation of device identification registration and blocking system (DIRBS) from November 26 to block unverified/fake IMEIs mobile phones.
Chairman PTA Mohammad Naveed told Business Recorder that the summary for implementation of DIRBS was presented in the last meeting but it was deferred. It is expected that the deadline of November 26 may be extended till end-November. He said that objectives behind the DIRBS are to stop smuggling of phones with fake IMEIS as it is not only resulting in huge loss to the national exchequer but is also posing security threats.
The cabinet will consider an agenda item in this regard titled "Revision of GoP policies to enable import of used mobile devices and prevention of smuggling through implementation of DIRBS by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)."
According to the summary, the Import Policy Order 2016 will be amended to allow the import of mobile devices (having SIM/IMEI functionality) subject to the following conditions: used devices which offer 3G, 4G and next generation technologies will be importable; such devices shall be the models which are already PTA type- approved and having valid GSMA IMEI etc; the clearance of these devices shall be subject to certification of above conditions through certificate of compliance (CoC) issued by PTA; in case of non-fulfilment of above requirements, importers (commercial/individual entities etc) may be allowed to re-export such devices by customs authorities.
Further the PTA will revise its regulations allowing all entities to import mobile devices models type-approved by the PTA after issuance of CoC.
The used mobile devices shall be subject to the same rates of leviable duty/ taxes as are applicable on new mobile devices. A mechanism for assessment of duty/ taxes on used mobiles devices will be worked out by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in consultation with registered mobile phone associations.
The DIRBS will be implemented/made functional on November 26, 2018 and all mobile devices already active on cellular mobile networks within Pakistan as of November 26, 2018 will remain operational without service disruption till the useful life of the device.
The mobile stocks available in the local markets which are not activated by November 26, 2018 on cellular networks will be allowed to regularise on payment of leviable duty/taxes on or before December 31, 2018 after furnishing of CoC issued by the PTA. No fine will be imposed on such devices.
The disposal of confiscated mobile devices (new/used) through auction by customs authorities will be subject to issuance of technical evaluation certification/CoC by the PTA. Such devices will accordingly be white-listed in the DIRBS.
Last month, the PTA had extended the deadline for implementation of the DIRBS for third time, after facing severe criticism from different quarters, due to no ground work.
Keeping in view the requests from the consumers of mobile device and stakeholders, and to create further awareness for general public, the PTA has decided to extend the deadline of implementation of DIRBS until further notice, the PTA maintained.
The mobile device consumers can continue using the DIRBS facility to verify status of mobile device''s IMEI(s). Users can know the IMEI of their mobile devices by dialling *06#. To verify mobile device status, the users will send device''s IMEI number to 8484 via SMS, or PTA website link: www.dirbs.pta.gov.pk or by downloading DIRBS android mobile application from Google Play Store.
In line with Telecommunication Policy 2015, the PTA developed DIRBS for facilitation of general public. The system will ensure the use of legal mobile devices on Pakistani networks, and improve the quality of mobile service to consumers, the PTA maintained in an official statement.
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