No Installments on Mobile Phone Taxes as PTA clears air amid Viral Notification

ISLAMABAD – Several viral posts claiming that mobile phone taxes could now be paid in installments, sparking hope and confusion among smartphone users across Pakistan as alot of people are using Non-PTA phone to avoid hefty taxes. As the hoax sparked frenzy, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) stepped in, calling these notification fake and clarifying that it has no role in imposing or collecting mobile device taxes. PTA said taxes on mobile devices could not be paid in installments, calling the document fake and misleading. The clarification came after purported notification gained traction online, prompting confusion among mobile phone users across the country. PTA stressed that it did not issue any such notification and urged the public not to trust or share unverified information. The authority said the assessment, implementation, and collection of taxes and duties on mobile devices fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). PTA made it clear that it has no authority or involvement in determining, announcing, or collecting these taxes. The regulator further explained that its role is limited to operating the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS), which is responsible for the registration, verification, and compliance management of mobile devices in Pakistan. PTA further clarified that the only recent public advisory issued by the authority relates to scheduled maintenance of the DIRBS platform, during which certain services may be temporarily unavailable. It said no announcement regarding installment-based payment of mobile device taxes has been made. Advising citizens to remain vigilant, PTA urged the public to avoid believing, sharing, or acting on unverified claims circulating on social media. The authority reiterated that all official announcements and updates should be obtained only through its verified communication channels to prevent the spread of misinformation. Bad News for iPhone Buy