ISLAMABAD: Overseas Pakistanis, telecommunication operators and industry experts have expressed concern over the government’s new policy to allow only one duty free mobile phone for overseas travellers and register even one phone at airports and Custom Houses.
According to sources, even Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has taken up the issue of imposing exorbitant duties on imported mobile phones with the government but remain unsuccessful in convincing the government. Overseas Pakistanis not only have to stand in one extra-queue for the registration of their own phones but also have to pay heavy duty on any gift phone they might have brought for their family or friends.
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Under the new policy aimed at curbing phone smuggling and use of unregistered phone, the PTA has introduced Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS). The FBR’s Customs authorities are registering mobile phones under the newly placed system at all the international airports. Each passenger is allowed to bring only one duty free phone from abroad while he/she will have to pay duty/taxes on any additional phone bought from abroad. According to Noman Jamshaid he had to pay tax and duties worth Rs10,970 on Customs counter at Allama Iqbal International Airport on a single phone (Samsung J6 Plus) which his sister-in-law bought from China for Rs24,400.
