The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced a temporary mobile phone registration facility for overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals.
This major step will allow the overseas Pakistanis to use their personal devices in Pakistan for up to 120 days without paying taxes or facing service disruptions.
The initiative has been launched through the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) and is aimed at facilitating short-term visitors who bring mobile phones from abroad and wish to use local SIM cards during their stay.
Under the scheme, eligible visitors can register one personal mobile device for temporary use on Pakistani mobile networks.
Once approved, the device will remain operational for up to 120 days from the date of arrival in the country.
According to the PTA, devices registered under the facility will be exempt from duties and taxes imposed by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) during the approved period.
The authority said the measure is intended to ease access to mobile services for overseas Pakistanis returning for family visits, business engagements, holidays or emergencies.
The PTA said the facility would help ensure uninterrupted access to essential digital services, including mobile internet, banking applications, ride-hailing platforms and messaging services.
The authority clarified that a new registration request must be submitted for each visit to Pakistan.
The officials added that the temporary registration facility does not replace the standard process required for the permanent registration of foreign mobile devices.
The overseas wishing to continue using their devices beyond the 120-day period will be required to complete permanent registration through DIRBS and pay the applicable FBR duties and taxes.
The facility is available to overseas Pakistanis, foreign nationals and other travellers carrying mobile phones registered abroad who intend to use Pakistani SIM cards during visits of up to four months.
The move is part of broader efforts to improve digital convenience for overseas Pakistanis and international visitors, while ensuring continued access to communication and online services during their stay in the country.
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