KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has set up DIRBs counters at all airports for registration of mobile phones of Pakistan origin passengers.
Instructions have also been displayed at airports.
“All incoming International passengers are informed to register their mobile phone IMEIs numbers at DIRBS counter operated by Pakistan Customs for activation of mobile phones voluntarily at all Pakistan airports,” the instructions read.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has activated its Device Identification Registration & Blocking System (DIRBS) to crack down against counterfeit mobile phone usage and discourage phone theft.
“DIRBS is a forward working solution and is designed to cater for no service interruption for all Pakistani cellular mobile service users,” the PTA press release stated.
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“After DIRBS implementation on 1st of December 2018, any new mobile device programmed with a non-standard IMEI number will be considered as non-compliant device and shall not be allowed any mobile connectivity/service in Pakistani territory as per PTA/DIRBS regulations.”
According to the Customs notified procedure 05 mobile phones are allowed to be imported by incoming passengers in a year on payment of duty and taxes and NOC certificate by DIRBs counter at the airport.
One mobile phone will be released without duty and taxes.
A passenger may register the mobile phone at respective Model Customs Collectorate within 15 days, if one is unable to get it done at the airport.
All foreigners are required to register their mobile phones’ IMEI numbers and activated on Pakistani sims.