MOITT Proposes Extension For DIRBS Implementation to Jammu & Kashmir

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has proposed the extension of the implementation of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA, 2016) and S.R.O 904(I)/2017 for Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) to Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

According to documents available, Special Communication Organization (SCO) has submitted PC-1 of the “implementation of PECA, 2016 and S.R.O 904(I)/2017 for DIRBS (Project No II/2017-2018) AJK and GB to the Planning Commission for consideration of Central Development Working Party (CDWP).

DIRBS Implementation to Jammu & Kashmir will take some more time

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 235 million and SCO has demanded the amount under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for 2019-2020. The project is expected to be completed in one year.

The DIRBS has been operational in Pakistan and according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), illegal mobile handsets that do not come with a valid IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number will be blocked after the expiry of the deadline.

As per the policy, the mobile phone would not be blocked automatically for 60 days and one has to register it with PTA during this period after paying duty/taxes (in case more than one phone). As per the policy, one mobile phone is allowed duty-free per year but in addition, one has to pay taxes.

SCO has also forwarded PC-1 of another project “Expansion of Cellular Services in AJ&K ad GB Phase-III (Project No II/2019-2020” for consideration of CDWP.

Under the project 150 new cellular sites would be established in AJ&K and GB for expansion of cellular services. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 6.514 billion and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has demanded Rs 3.031 billion under the PSDP 2019-202. The project would take more than one year to complete.