PTA rejects FBR’s request to block SIMs

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has rejected the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) request to block SIM cards of non-filers.

PTA stated that legally, they are not bound to block SIMs and that such action does not comply with their framework.

The PTA said that it’s common in Pakistan for men to register mobile SIMs under women’s names, with only 27 per cent of SIMs registered to women.

Read more: FBR to block mobile SIM cards of non-filers

PTA while rejecting FBR’s request said that blocking SIMs could disrupt bank e-wallet transactions and suggested exploring alternative solutions to address the concern.

More to follow