As the deadline of March 31 was reached to pay tax and register imported mobile phones, the devices have started being blocked.
Lahore (Pakistan Point News – 13th April, 2019) The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed to start blocking unregistered mobile phones.
The PTA has refuted the reports of extension in the deadline to register mobile phones.
As the deadline of March 31 was reached to pay tax and register imported mobile phones, the devices have started being blocked.
The decision to extend the deadline to block such mobile phones was not extended as the notification was not issued.
The unused, stolen or smuggled mobile phones and internet devices were blocked after the deadline of March 31 to register mobile phones was not extended.
An automatic blocking system has been placed on the devices due to which the stolen or mobile phone having double IMEI numbers cannot be used.
However, there are conflicting reports on whether the deadline has been extended or not.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday directed the PTA to devise a mechanism for blocking of unregistered mobile phones in consultation with the stakeholders and extend the deadline for the purpose.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard a petition filed by private cellular companies seeking extension in the deadline for registration of unregistered mobile phones, which expired on March 29.
The chief justice remarked that the demand for extension in the deadline for mobile phones' registration was justified. The stakeholders should inform the public about blocking of the unregistered mobile phones through an advertisement campaign, he added.
