According to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Import of mobile phones has seen a sharp decrease during the period of (July-April) of 2018-19. Mobile phone imports in April 2019, which stood at $74.813 million, registered 0.95 percent negative growth as compared to $75.529 million imports in April 2018.
Overall telecom imports were recorded at $1.534 billion during 2017-18 compared to $1.351 billion in 2016-17.
Meanwhile, PTA has also started blocking smuggled mobile phones and internet devices.
The decision to extend the deadline to block such mobile phones was not extended as the notification was not issued by the government. An automatic blocking system has been placed on the devices due to which the stolen or mobile phone having double IMEI numbers cannot be used.
The PTA had launched DIRBS to curb illegal imports. The system has been made operational in December 2018.
Devices reflecting non-compliant status after October 20, 2018, were to be blocked as per PTA/DIRBS regulations.
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