The auction of over 10,000 confiscated mobile phones has been delayed because the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has not whitelisted these devices. The phones were seized at airports in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad. Without approval from the PTA’s Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS), they cannot be sold or used.
Despite many written requests from Customs, PTA has not carried out the necessary whitelisting. This delay is harming the value of high-end phones like iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models. Customs officials say the hold-up is stopping millions of rupees in government revenue from coming in.
Customs has provided multiple lists to the PTA and suggested a way to connect systems and speed up the process. If done, confiscated phones could be cleared right away across the country, avoiding future delays.
A PTA official said they have not received any formal request for such an arrangement.
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