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Over 10,000 mobile phones were seized at airports across Pakistan and are still waiting to be auctioned because the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) hasn’t whitelisted them. These devices were confiscated at Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad airports. Since PTA’s Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) hasn’t cleared them, the phones can’t be sold or activated.
The Customs Department sent several letters to the PTA, asking them to start the whitelisting process, but nothing has moved forward. Customs officials worry that ongoing delays are causing high-end phones like iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models to lose market value. They also said the situation is costing the government millions in lost revenue.
Officials from Customs shared that they’ve already submitted multiple lists of the seized phones. They even suggested connecting their system directly with DIRBS to automate the whitelisting. This move could allow immediate clearance of seized phones and prevent future delays.
Read more: Over 109,000 Sites Blocked by PTA in FY2023-24
Despite all this, a PTA official denied receiving any formal request. “We have not received any formal request in this regard,” the official stated.
Customs officials are frustrated. Some insiders are openly angry, saying this entire problem could’ve been avoided if the PTA had responded in time. They believe the delay is not only hurting resale values but also stopping important revenue from reaching the government.
Customs has continued pushing for a tech-based solution that could benefit both sides. They hope the PTA will take system integration seriously to avoid repeating this issue again. Right now, the delay in processing and clearance has made it impossible to move forward with the auction.
No official timeline has been shared yet. Until PTA approves the devices, Customs can’t auction or unblock the phones.
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