The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has decided to launch Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to the PTA, to have uninterrupted access to local networks will require registration with the authority. The message has been circulated across the region so that the people of these regions can get their devices registered in time.
Pakistanis have been required to pay an extra tax, known as PTA tax, since 2018, in order to register their mobile phones with the PTA. To prevent the smuggling of smartphones, these tariffs were implemented. A tier-based tax on imported smartphones was most recently implemented by the FBR, discouraging consumers from purchasing them and lowering the import bill and currency outflow.
However, in areas like Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan that are outside the FBR’s direct jurisdiction. The usage of illegal phones was widespread.
Another reason for this was that the state owned Special Communications Organisation (SCO), the primary network provider in these areas, could be operated on phones that were not registered with PTA. Not only that, the partnership of SCO with Ufone made it possible to use the sim outside of the AJK and GB reason, allowing people to use non-registered phones all over the country.
