Blocking of Mobile Devices on DIRBS due to Non Payment of FBR Duties/Taxes. The subject issue highlighted in the media is false and misleading as the national exchequer has not experienced any loss of revenue
Islamabad: False Allegations quoted by Traders: PTA . Blocking of Mobile Devices on DIRBS due to Non Payment of FBR Duties/Taxes. Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) registers all GSMA valid mobile devices after payment of FBR duties/taxes and accordingly allows approved devices to work on all Pakistani mobile networks. In addition, DIRBS also identifies and blocks any IMEI of a mobile device which is cloned, duplicate or non-tax paid on routine basis.
In March 2024, 1934 devices were identified by the system as non-tax paid. In order to avoid inconvenience, multiple alert messages were sent to the users to submit proof of payment against PSID (FBR issued tax invoices) through PTA’s Complaint Management System. However, those IMEIs whose proof of payment against the PSID were not received by PTA, were blocked by the system on 4th of May, 2024. Thereafter, 248 mobile devices out of 1934 blocked devices, have been unblocked after payment of applicable duties/taxes to FBR.
Read More: Traders Demand Action Over 9 Billion Rupee Embezzlement, Phone Blocking
The subject issue highlighted in the media is false and misleading as the national exchequer has not experienced any loss of revenue. It is pertinent to highlight that so far Government of Pakistan has collected PKR 63 billion in the form of taxes and duties for handset registration in the individual category only.
Blocking of Mobile Devices on DIRBS due to Non Payment of FBR Duties/Taxes
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Traders Demand Accountability Over Blocked Mobile Phones otherwise country-wide Protest
President of All Pakistan Anjuman Tajran, Ajmal Baloch, has called for justice after millions of mobile phones were blocked despite tax payments. Alongside prominent traders, he demanded an inquiry into the alleged embezzlement of 900 crores, urging honest officers to hold the culprits accountable. Failure to meet their demands by Tuesday will lead mobile phone retailers and dealers nationwide to surround the PTA office, they warned. Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club Islamabad, Baloch, along with other leaders, highlighted the plight of both users and shopkeepers, criticizing institutional failures. They questioned the government’s inaction regarding unapproved imports and demanded swift resolution. The traders emphasized the need for compensation and apologies to affected users and shopkeepers, urging the restoration of all blocked devices. Additionally, they commended the removal of corrupt individuals from the FBR and called for similar actions in other institutions to facilitate improvement. PTI leaders cautioned that failure to restore blocked phones would result in widespread protests, holding PTA officers responsible for any ensuing consequences.
