Govt Decides to Block Smuggled Cell Phones From December 31

The federal cabinet has decided to impose a ban on smuggled phones from December 31, 2018, and after the deadline, such phones will be blocked.

Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry announced the decision after cabinet’s meeting.

He said that the government in a bid to promote the local mobile phones industry decided to block the smuggled cell phones.

He explained that after December 31, smuggled phones could not be used in Pakistan. However, such phones brought into the country before December 31 would work.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will block the smuggled phones after the deadline. The minister said that cell phones worth Rs2.5 billion are smuggled into the country annually.

The Minister further said that the cabinet approved the appointment of Arif Usmani as President National Bank of Pakistan.

The cabinet also approved the decisions of Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet.

The cabinet also approved the decision to open the Kartarpur border corridor to facilitate Sikh pilgrims visiting one of their holiest sites on the banks of River Ravi.

Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the opening of the border crossing, adding that special visas will be issued to Indian journalists interested in attending the event.

Chaudhry said the cabinet strongly condemned the attack on Chinse Consulate in Karachi. Before the meeting, Foreign Minister made telephonic contacts with Chinese officials and briefed them about the details of the attack, Chaudhry added.