In a remarkable development, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) have joined forces to introduce a new system of temporary registration for mobile phones brought by foreign individuals.
This collaboration aims to address the concerns of Overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals visiting Pakistan regarding the blocking of their mobile devices.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif, inaugurated the new system during a ceremony, marking a significant step towards facilitating international travelers.
Under this system, individuals will be able to use their mobile phones in Pakistan for 120 days without incurring any taxes.
The Prime Minister's Directive
During his speech at the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif emphasized the significance of ensuring equal benefits for all individuals, eliminating any exceptions.
Initially, the timeline for PTA temporary registration was set to 60 days, with some exceptions allowing extensions to 120 days.
However, the Prime Minister instructed the relevant authorities to remove the word "exception" and extend the duration to 120 days for all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.
Distinguished Guests at the Ceremony
Several notable guests graced the inauguration ceremony, including Syed Aminul Haque, the Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, and Maj Gen (R) Hafeez ur Rehman, the Chairman of PTA, along with other officials from PTA.
Temporary Registration Service for Overseas Pakistanis & Foreigners
The newly launched PTA temporary registration system focuses specifically on individuals who do not plan to stay in Pakistan for an extended period. It is essential to note that this system applies exclusively to mobile phones.
Requirements for Availing the Temporary Registration Service
To utilize PTA New Temporary Registration System for Mobile Phones, applicants need to provide the following information:
- Passport number
- Date of arrival
- Intended date of departure
- Mobile SIM card issued in their name
- IMEI number of their device
The Expiry of Temporary Registration
After 120 days of stay, the IMEI number(s) registered under this system will be suspended and cannot be used on local network services. If the same individual visits Pakistan again, they will need to reapply for the PTA New Temporary Registration System for Mobile Phones exceptional cases.
You May Also Like: PTA Custom Duty Taxes on Smartphones 2023 updated
The Functionality of the New System
The PTA New Temporary Registration System for Mobile Phones operates through collaboration between the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
These organizations work together to exchange immigration data. The system verifies the applicant's arrival date in real-time using the Federal Investigation Agency's Integrated Border Management System (IBMS).
This data is linked to the FIA's records of passenger entry and exit from Pakistan.
When passengers arrive in Pakistan and wish to register their phones for a 120-day period, the immigration staff enters their data into the new system. The FIA then verifies the passenger's entry into Pakistan and activates their phone by integrating the data.
Convenience for Future Visits
A positive aspect of this PTA New Temporary Registration System for Mobile Phones is that individuals can continue using the same phone on subsequent visits to Pakistan. Previously, after using a phone for 60 days, travelers were unable to use the same device on their next visit.
However, with the introduction of this system, overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals who frequently visit Pakistan can reactivate the same phone and SIM number using the immigration data.
Enhancing the Country's Image
The implementation of this PTA New Temporary Registration System for Mobile Phones not only benefits overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals visiting Pakistan for short periods but also contributes to improving the country's image.
The system ensures that only genuine individuals can avail themselves of this facility.
This new initiative represents another step taken to provide maximum facilitation, particularly to Overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals visiting for a short time.
The collaboration between the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in introducing a temporary registration system for mobile phones brings significant relief to overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals visiting Pakistan.
The new PTA New Temporary Registration System for Mobile Phones allows individuals to utilize their mobile phones for up to 120 days without tax implications.
This initiative highlights the government's commitment to facilitating international travelers and ensuring equal benefits for all individuals.
By leveraging the power of technology and cooperation between key agencies, Pakistan aims to enhance its image and provide maximum convenience to visitors from around the world.
FAQs
1. Can I extend the 120-day temporary registration period for my mobile phone?
No, the PTA New Temporary Registration System for Mobile Phones period cannot be extended beyond the 120-day duration.
2. Is the temporary registration system applicable to all types of electronic devices?
No, the PTA New Temporary Registration System for Mobile Phones is only applicable to mobile phones brought by foreign individuals.
3. What information is required to avail of the temporary registration service?
To avail of the PTA New Temporary Registration System for Mobile Phones, applicants need to provide their passport number, date of arrival, intended date of departure, the mobile SIM card issued in their name, and the IMEI number of their device.
4. Can I use the same phone on my next visit to Pakistan?
Yes, with the PTA New Temporary Registration System for Mobile Phones, overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals can reactivate the same phone and SIM number using the immigration data on their subsequent visits to Pakistan.
5. How does the new system verify the arrival date of passengers?
The new system verifies the arrival date of passengers in real-time through the Federal Investigation Agency's Integrated Border Management System (IBMS), which is linked to the FIA's records of passenger entry and exit from Pakistan.
 has revolutionized mobile phone usage for overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals with the introduction of a new temporary registration system. Explore the benefits and requirements of this groundbreaking initiative){kind=link}