PTA Fails to Clear Over 10,000 Mobile Phones for Auction

The auction of over 10,000 seized mobile phones has been delayed due to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) failure to whitelist these devices. These phones were confiscated at major airports including Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad, and cannot be auctioned or activated without clearance from PTA’s Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS). Despite multiple written requests from the Customs Department, PTA has not processed the whitelisting process. Premium smartphones such as iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models are depreciating in value due to prolonged delays caused by PTA. The delay of phone clearance has blocked the inflow of potentially millions of rupees in government revenue, according to customs officials. The Customs Department has formally submitted multiple lists to the PTA and suggested a system integration to automate the whitelisting process. Such integration would allow immediate clearance of confiscated phones nationwide and prevent future delays. A PTA official has denied receiving any formal request in this regard.