Business Desk 
Feb 07, 2025
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Friday advised mobile phone buyers to verify tax payments before purchasing any device.
The advisory highlights that all Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) taxes must be paid and that devices should be registered under the buyer’s CNIC or passport in the Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS) to ensure legal use in Pakistan.
Buyers must verify mobile taxes before purchase
PTA warns that buyers should confirm the tax status of a mobile phone before finalising a purchase. If a device is unregistered, the buyer must pay all applicable taxes and duties within 60 days to activate it on local networks.
Moreover, failure to do so may result in network restrictions, making the device unusable in Pakistan.
Consumers are urged to pay these taxes directly through authorised banking channels rather than relying on third-party agents. PTA has warned against fraudulent individuals or unauthorised facilitators who claim to handle tax payments.
PTA clarifies its role in mobile registration
The statement further clarifies that FBR imposes all taxes and duties, while PTA’s role is limited to overseeing mobile registration through DIRBS.
PTA ensures that all devices comply with the country’s regulations, preventing the use of smuggled or illegally imported phones on local networks.
