Govt set to launch DIRBS & Cyber Crime Act in Gilgit Baltistan and AJ&K

The government on the instructions of Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) is all set to implement Cyber Crime Act (PECA, 2016) and Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.

The Special Communication Organization (SCO) has submitted the application (PC-1) of implementing cybercrime act and DIRBS to the planning commission for consideration of the Central Development Working Party (CDWP). The estimated cost of implementing these systems in the regions is around Rs. 235 million and SCO under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for 2019-2020 has demanded the required funds to complete the project in a time span of one year.

Moreover, SCO has also forwarded the PC-1 for consideration of CDWP to expand the cellular services in AJ&K and Gilgit Baltistan Phase-III. The cellular service project will include the establishment of 150 new cellular sites in AJ&K and GB to expand the services in the regions. The estimated cost presented by the authorities is around Rs. 6.514 billion and MoITT has demanded Rs. 3.031 billion under the PSDP programme. This project will also take at least one year to complete.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) recently launched Mobile Devices Identification, Registration and Blocking Regulation System (DIRBS) to block stolen, smuggled and duplicate mobile phones in Pakistan. Under this system, the mobile phone devices without a valid IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number will be considered an illegal device and the authorities will block it.

Also, any overseas Pakistani coming from abroad will only be allowed to bring one handset duty-free in the country and he or she will have to pay taxes on any additional mobile phone they bring with them. More details here.