ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Monday clarified the increase in taxes and duties on the registration of cellular mobile devices and handsets.
In a series of tweets, PTA clarified the misconception about the so-called “PTA Tax” and wrote: “PTA is offering its Device Identifications and Registration Database (DIRBS) system for mobile device registration, without any charges for the facilitation of general public.”
Clarification: In the wake of recent increase in taxes/duties for the registration of cellular mobile devices and handsets, PTA wishes to clarify the misperception about “PTA Tax”. These taxes and duties are applied and collected by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) directly.
— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) January 24, 2022
The telecommunication authority further clarified the tax collecting process and stated that it had nothing to do with the tax collecting procedure.
“PTA only provides technical support in the form of DIRBS through which applicants can register their mobile devices for use within Pakistan.” Telecom authority clarified.
It is further clarified that PTA is offering its Device Identification and Registration Database (DIRBS) system for mobile device registration, without any charges for the facilitation of general public.
— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) January 24, 2022
PTA stated that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is solely responsible for collecting taxes across the country.
“The taxes and duties collected in the process are applied by FBR and directly deposited with the FBR,” the telecommunication authority stated.