The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a public clarification dismissing a fake notification circulating on social media that falsely claimed mobile phone taxes could now be paid in installments through the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS). The regulator confirmed that it did not issue the notification and urged citizens to avoid relying on or sharing unverified information related to mobile device registration and taxation. The clarification comes after misleading posts gained traction online, creating confusion among users seeking to register imported smartphones.
PTA emphasized that it has no authority to assess, impose or collect taxes and duties on imported mobile devices. According to the regulator, all matters relating to the determination and collection of taxes fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). PTA’s role is limited to regulating the registration and compliance of mobile devices through the DIRBS platform, ensuring that only compliant devices are allowed to operate on Pakistan’s cellular networks.
The authority also clarified that the only recent announcement concerning DIRBS relates to the scheduled system upgrade that will temporarily suspend portal services to improve performance and simplify device registration. PTA noted that no advisory or notification has been issued regarding any installment-based tax payment mechanism through the platform and advised the public to verify information through its official communication channels before acting upon it.
The clarification comes amid ongoing public discussion surrounding recent legislative changes allowing installment-based payment of taxes on imported mobile phones under the Finance Act 2026. While such provisions have been approved under the law, PTA reiterated that any procedures regarding tax collection or payment mechanisms will be administered by the relevant tax authorities rather than the telecom regulator. By promptly addressing the misinformation, the authority aims to prevent confusion among consumers and ensure that users rely only on authentic government announcements regarding mobile device registration and taxation.
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