Latest news with #PakistanTelecommunicationAuthority
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Telecom subscribers surpass 200 million in Pakistan
Telecom subscribers have crossed 200 million in the country, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said on Thursday, terming the development a 'historic milestone' that 'reflects Pakistan's accelerated digital growth'. 'The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority proudly announces a historic milestone—crossing 200 million telecom subscribers nationwide. With 150 million broadband and over 2 million Fiber To The Home (FTTH) subscribers. This achievement reflects Pakistan's accelerated digital growth and PTA's commitment to inclusive connectivity,' the PTA said. Telecom sector shows robust performance in nine months To mark the celebration, the PTA and CMO's (Jazz, Telenor, Ufone, Zong and SCO) are offering free 2GB data + 200 on-net minutes (valid for 24 hours) on June 20, 2025 to all mobile users, the statement added. 'Subscribers can avail this offer by dialing short code *2200# (All Mobile Operators).' To further digital inclusion, especially for female students, PTA—alongside PTCL, Transworld, Nayatel, Cybernet, and Wateen—are deploying free Wi-Fi hotspots for 6-month at HEC-recognized selected universities including women universities to empower students through improved access to digital resources, according to the statement. Moreover, the PTA said, mobile manufacturers have contributed 200 locally assembled smartphones to be distributed among female SIM owners through computerised balloting across Pakistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Business Recorder
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
4G/5G license revenue set at Rs22.612bn for FY26
ISLAMABAD: The government has budgeted Rs22.612 billion from 4G/5G licenses under the head of non-tax revenue for the next fiscal year 2025-26 against Rs32.612 billion budgeted for the outgoing fiscal year which was later revised upward to Rs27 billion. Under the head of Income from Property and Enterprises (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (Surplus), the government has projected to generate Rs1.1 trillion for the next fiscal year against the budgeted Rs1.2 trillion for the outgoing fiscal year which was later revised to Rs1.431 trillion. According to the budget documents 2025-26, the government has budgeted Rs12 billion from mobile handset levy for the next fiscal year against the budgeted Rs10 billion for the outgoing fiscal year. The government has budgeted Rs6.239 billion in the budget for 2025-26 from Regulatory Authorities (Surplus/Penalties) against Rs10.036 billion budgeted for the current fiscal year which was later revised to Rs654.7 million. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Telecom sector shows robust performance in nine months
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's telecom sector continued to show robust performance during the first nine months of fiscal year 2024-25 (July–March), with total revenues reaching Rs 803 billion. However, the sector's contribution to the national exchequer declined to Rs271 billion during the same period, the Economic Survey 2024-25 revealed. While telecom revenues remained strong—up from Rs 644 billion in FY2020-21 to Rs803 billion in the current fiscal year so far—the sector's tax and duty contribution dropped from a high of Rs 341 billion in FY2022-23 to Rs 271 billion during July–March FY2025. Experts attribute the drop to potential shifts in policy measures, reduced tax collection windows due to the data covering only nine months, or changing dynamics in sector profitability. Despite the decline, the telecom sector remains a vital contributor to the economy. Telecom investment also saw a dip, registering USD 621 million in FY2024-25 (July–March), compared to USD 770 million in the previous year and USD 1,657 million in FY2021-22. Despite these financial shifts, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reported steady expansion in digital infrastructure. Broadband penetration rose to 59.8%, with 4G coverage reaching over 81% of the population. Total broadband subscribers hit 147.2 million by March 2025. The PTA's regulatory reforms, digital inclusion strategies, and initiatives like unlocking the 6 GHz spectrum for next-generation Wi-Fi have positioned Pakistan as the 10th Asian country to adopt Wi-Fi 6E and beyond. Additionally, Pakistan's rank in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 improved significantly—from 79th to among the top 40, reflecting progress in digital security and infrastructure resilience. The survey further noted the launch of national roaming along the Makran Coastal Highway, a move aimed at addressing coverage blackspots and improving emergency communication. To improve the regulatory environment, PTA also launched OASIS, a digital licensing system integrating services from NADRA, SECP, and NBP, revealed the survey. The country is preparing for a 5G rollout by mid-2025, with infrastructure upgrades, spectrum planning, and operator trials already underway, the survey mentioned. Following the approval of the National Space Policy, the development of a licensing framework for satellite broadband services is also in progress. The Economic Survey also noted ongoing work on a National Fiberisation Plan, developed in collaboration with the World Bank, to expand the country's fiber-optic backbone. Meanwhile, efforts to ensure digital safety have intensified, with PTA blocking over 1.43 million URLs related to unlawful content. Additionally, more than 400,000 quality-of-service tests were conducted to monitor and enforce telecom performance standards nationwide. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
31-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Minister lays foundation stone of NADRA Mega Centre
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday laid the foundation stone of a 10-storey National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Mega Centre, with construction expected to be completed by June 2026. Later, while chairing a high-level meeting at NADRA headquarters, the minister approved a nationwide crackdown on SIM cards issued against expired Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs). According to an official statement issued here, the decision was made to strengthen digital identity verification and curb misuse of identification documents. In the first phase, SIM cards linked to CNICs issued in 2017 or earlier will be blocked. In subsequent phases, the policy will be extended to deactivated CNICs issued after 2017, ensuring that only valid and active identity cards are used for mobile phone registrations. During the briefing, NADRA Chairman Lt Gen Muhammad Munir Afsar informed the meeting that, in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), SIM cards registered under the names of deceased individuals or holders of expired CNICs are already being deactivated. He raised concerns over the widespread storage of citizens' biometric data by various government departments and private service providers, warning that such practices pose significant risks of data theft and misuse. To address this issue, the chairman recommended the nationwide adoption of facial recognition technology — particularly beneficial for citizens facing difficulties with fingerprint verification. The minister endorsed the proposal and announced that the Ministry of Interior would issue directives to all relevant institutions to stop storing biometric data separately. He further confirmed that facial recognition technology will be implemented nationwide by December 31, 2025, under the ministry's direct supervision. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab Times
30-05-2025
- Arab Times
Overseas Pakistani? Here's How To Keep Your Mobile Phone Working In Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, May 30: In recent years, many overseas Pakistanis visiting their homeland have encountered an unexpected and frustrating problem: their local Pakistani SIM cards stop working after a short period of use. While this may seem like a technical glitch or a telecom issue at first glance, the root cause lies in Pakistan's telecom regulatory policies, particularly those governed by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The Core of the Problem: Device Registration The key issue revolves around the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) introduced by the PTA. This system was implemented to curb the smuggling of mobile phones, reduce grey market trade, and ensure that all devices on Pakistani networks are properly documented. When an overseas Pakistani brings a phone from abroad and inserts a local SIM card, the telecom network automatically checks whether the phone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is registered with the PTA. If the IMEI is not registered or not PTA-approved, the system allows a grace period—typically 60 days—for temporary use. Once that grace period expires, the phone is blocked from accessing Pakistani mobile networks with local SIM cards. One Phone, One Year: The Overseas Pakistani Allowance In response to the concerns of the diaspora, the PTA allows overseas Pakistanis to register one mobile phone per year duty-free, provided they have entered the country recently. This can be done through the official PTA DIRBS portal or device registration system, where users must provide their IMEI number, passport or CNIC, and proof of travel such as an entry stamp or travel details. The Role of Biometric Verification and SIM Limits SIM card blocking may also occur due to biometric verification issues or the five-SIMs-per-CNIC rule. If the visitor is using a foreign passport or their CNIC isn't active or properly verified, the system may restrict new SIM activations or suspend existing ones as a security precaution. Safe Options for Visitors To avoid disruption during visits to Pakistan, overseas Pakistanis have several options: Register your phone legally if you plan to use it with a local SIM. Buy a PTA-approved phone in Pakistan to ensure full compatibility. Use international roaming with your foreign SIM—phones using roaming are exempt from PTA restrictions. One Phone Per Year – Tax-Free for Overseas Pakistanis If you're a Pakistani citizen living abroad and you're visiting Pakistan: You can bring in 1 mobile phone per year without paying any tax. This is allowed once every 12 months, based on your travel record. You must register the phone with PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) using the DIRBS portal: You'll need: - Passport number - CNIC/NICOP - IMEI number of the phone - Entry stamp or travel info (proves recent arrival) Additional Phones Are Taxable If you bring more than one phone per year, taxes/duties will apply on the extra devices. The amount depends on: - Phone model and brand - Customs valuation (not always the actual market price) - PTA's official tax/duty slab (updated frequently) Example: A new iPhone might incur PKR 80,000–150,000+ in tax, while lower-end phones may be taxed as little as PKR 5,000–20,000. A Word of Caution Using phones purchased from the grey market or bringing unregistered devices without checking PTA compliance can lead to connectivity loss, especially for those relying on local mobile services. It's important to heed warning SMS messages from PTA about registration deadlines to avoid service termination. For overseas Pakistanis, staying connected during visits is vital. While PTA's system aims to bring order and security to Pakistan's telecom ecosystem, travelers need to understand the rules, comply with the law, and take preventive steps. By registering devices properly and using approved phones, visitors can enjoy seamless communication without fear of abrupt disconnection.
