Stopping Indian phone imports outside of jurisdiction: PTA

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has responded to concerns about the import of Indian-made mobile devices, particularly iPhones, clarifying that the responsibility to prevent such imports falls outside its jurisdiction.

Following a recent advisory from the Cabinet Division regarding potential cybersecurity threats posed by Indian-manufactured phones, PTA has emphasized that all Indian products, including mobile devices, are banned under the Import Order 2022. These devices, including iPhones, are subject to a blacklisting process, preventing their official registration in Pakistan.

PTA has taken steps to block the Type Allocation Code (TAC) assigned to Indian devices by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA). This action ensures that Indian-made phones cannot be registered in Pakistan’s Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS), which stops them from being activated with local SIM cards.

However, PTA has clarified that it does not have the legal authority to regulate the sale or purchase of mobile phones in the market. The responsibility for preventing the import or smuggling of these devices lies with Pakistan’s customs and enforcement authorities. PTA’s role is limited to ensuring that mobile devices comply with the technical standards outlined in the Telecommunications (Re-Organization) Act 1996 and the Terminal Device Type Approval Technical Regulation 2021.

Additionally, PTA reassured the public that no Indian-made iPhones or other mobile devices are whitelisted for use in Pakistan. Therefore, these devices cannot be legally activated or used with local SIM cards.

While PTA plays a vital role in ensuring the technical standards of mobile devices, the responsibility for regulating imports and preventing the smuggling of Indian-made phones lies with customs and other relevant authorities.