ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), contrary to certain media reports, has not imposed any restriction on import of mobile devices (new or used).

The Authority, in order to facilitate general public as per Telecommunications Act 1996 & Regulation and its mandate is ensuring that mobile devices being imported conform to technical standards laid down by international standardization bodies and do not pose any health or frequency issues in licensed spectrum being used in Pakistan.

In light of Federal Cabinet decision, PTA complied with directives and Type Approval Regulations, Device, Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) regulations and SOP were amended.

Accordingly, all entities planning to import a type approved model (new or used) can do so from ease of their location by submitting documents via PTA online mobile device registration system (https://www.dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs).

This is done to create ease of doing business for all and enabling them to apply via automated system.

The Authority also clarified that GSMA is not an approving authority on mobile phone bodies. It is an international organization to which manufacture applies for issuance of Type Allocation Code (TAC).

Detail of approved models is available on PTA website and updated periodically.