Allowing import of only 5 mobile devices: PTA notifies 'Type Approval Technical Standards (Amend) Regulations'

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has notified 'Type Approval Technical Standards (Amendment) Regulations, 2019,' allowing import of only 5 mobile devices in a calendar year by a person for personal use. Furthermore, IMEI for device(s) will contain only GSMA issued Type Allocation Code (TAC) which are reflected within the PTA issued type approval certificate or the PTA website from time to time.
According to the amendments, in the Type Approval Technical Standards Regulations, 2018, at page 3168, clause (j) of sub-regulation (1) of regulation 5 of SRO 1492(1)/18 will be substituted and read as follows:
"Provision of Type Allocation Code (TAC) details, eg, GSMA TAC Certificate or GSMA TAC Code programmed on applied model device etc) from GSMA Association in case of device offering IME1/SIM based functionality. As part of evaluation of type approval request PTA will verify applied TAC with GSMA-database and if needed further verification can be asked directly from GSMA for specific TAC. Upon approval of type approval request, all GSMA TAC (excluding those TAC which is placed on blacklist by the Authority) issued against the specific model to be included."
Further, in the Type Approval-Technical Standards Regulations, 2018, at page 3172, sub-regulation (2) of regulation, 12 of SRO 1492(I)/18, will be substituted and read as follows: "The Authority will allow import of PTA type approved models by all persons by issuing certificate of compliant to technical standards for use within PTA/FAB allowed frequency bands as per below conditions."
In the Type Approval Technical Standards Regulations, 2018, at page 3172, clause (a) of sub­ regulation (2) of regulation 12 of S.R.O 1492(I)/18, will be substituted and read as follows:
"(a) For SIM/IMEI based terminal equipment/ mobile device(s) on following conditions: IMEI for device(s) will contain only GSMA issued TAC which are reflected within the PTA issued type approval certificate or the PTA website from time to time. Furthermore, no TAC addition will be required for already type approved model and all new TAC notified by GSMA shall be added as and when be required for already type approved model and all new TAC notified by GSMA shall be added as and when' made available by GSMA and placed on the PTA website. Devices that contain duplicated/cloned stolen/counterfeit shall not be considered for issuance of CoC by the PTA. In the Type Approval Technical Standards Regulations, 2018, at page 3173, clause (f) of sub-regulation (2) of regulation 12 of SR0 1492(I)/18 will be substituted and read as follows:
(a) For SIM/IMEI based Terminal mobile device (s) imported by a person for personal use following conditions shall be fulfilled: IMEI for device(s) will contain only GSMA TAC excluding placed in blacklist by the Authority. Only 5 mobile devices in a calendar year will be allowed. The foreign missions including high commissions and embassies will file their COC requests for import of telecommunication equipment through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; however, they will have to apply for type approval for terminal equipment after providing required documents/sample/fee to the PTA.