Despite repeated assurances from the Ministry of IT and Telecom, Google has suspended carrier-paid apps in Pakistan on nonpayment of outstanding dues.
Our channel checks have confirmed that the download option for paid apps via mobile phone accounts has been suspended in the country. While this suspension only applies to local transactions, it is worth noting that the Google Play Store still accepts credit card payments when downloading a paid app.
This comes after drama last week when the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) blocked payments of $34 million to international service providers. The blockade/confusion created a sense of chaos in the local tech space with thousands unable to download paid Google Play Store apps using their mobile balance as a source of payment.
ProPakistani learned at the time that the central bank halted the direct carrier billing (DCB) mechanism, resulting in payments through mobile companies to international service providers such as Google, Amazon, and Meta becoming stuck.
Subsequently, the government decided to open Google transactions for a month while it also decided to devise a framework for an effective payment mechanism in order to curb any liquidity shortfalls, given the country’s economic issues of late. In lieu of the payment obstruction with no policy or mechanism in the works, Google has suspended carrier-paid apps in Pakistan while it waits on the government’s move for a solution.
Now, the Ministry of Finance has agreed to a proposal of IT minister Syed Amin Ul Haque with regard to evolving an effective mechanism and making payment against the Google App services. The minister at the time said that SBP had been directed to delay the implementation of the DCB mechanism policy for one month.
Amin Ul Haque said the telecom operators had been given a one-month time to implement payment procedures and within a month, the Ministry of IT, Finance, and State Bank would formulate a plan of action in mutual consultation in that regard. Amin said that on request of the Telecom operators for assistance, a letter was written to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to make the payments and formulate a time frame.
Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, also expressed gratitude to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and IT Minister Amin Ul Haque for the timely decision on the issue.
“Relieved to see the DCB issue progressing towards a resolution. Thank you Syed Amin Ul Haque, Ishaq Dar and SAPM Finance Tariq Bajwa for ensuring Google Play apps remain available to Pakistani users. A whole-of-government approach is needed to strengthen the digital ecosystem,” he tweeted on Thursday.
https://twitter.com/aamir_ibrahim01/status/1598232132375416832
For those who do not know, DCB is an online mobile payment system that allows users transactions via mobile phone carrier bills. Until a few weeks ago, telcos were allowing their customers to buy these products with airtime and then remit funds abroad, registering such transactions as payments for IT-related services.
Stay Connected with ProPakistani
Get the latest tech news, telecom insights, and product launches wherever you prefer.
Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.
Thanks to Imported Govt.
We are falling down day by day
Oh you have not seen the worst yet, believe me when I say this.
I must say it is a good initiative, govt must consider to transform IT Talent in the country to make an application like google play with full of alternate app for the whole world and earn money as good is milking from countries like us.
Google bhaiyya please dont get annoyed and leak any of my info ;)
Konsi dunya main rehta hai bhai?
Bkwaas illogical baat
Brother, no offence but if it was as easy as you say then countries like Korea and China would have done it a long time ago.
Samsung being the giant tried doing this but even after pouring money into this project for more thab 7-yrs, in the end they discontinued their efforts!
Ye batain kehna asaan hota hai, implementation is a whole another story!
Agar itna hi simple hota to aaj dubiya me Android aur iOS ke ilawa 50 aur operating systems chal rhay hotay. :)
I wonder why are Pakistanis not ready to save money to live a respectable life. Comforts and luxuries come after we are capable of fulfilling our basic needs. For entertainment like watching matches on multiple channels and listening to live commentary on various radio channels, our valuable foreign exchange is being drained like anything. Then comes these IT-related applications and advertisement campaigns on Twitter, Facebook, etc. we are paying a lot in foreign currency.
جب امین الحق کی ساری توجہ سیاسی معاملات پہ رہے گی تو ترقیاتی کام خاک ہوں گے
It’s was a good decision and a bad one. A good decision because individual and companies had figured out a way to send money across with little too no hurdles which was eating away our dost supply. There were bad individual and companies that were taking advantage of this loop hole. The bad decision was they should have implemented a system to pay from debit/banking channel to begin with.
This is not a big issue as people can still buy by card. At least those who still don’t have bank account might learn some lesson. Above all poor nations should learn to cut imports and increase exports. No doubt the govt is incompetent like the previous one. Except for those who sold their souls to so called leaders.
All Youthiya stupid comments below. You can still use via debit/credit cards.
Joker Imran Khan
Rashid criticism doesn’t mean to go that low. I also criticise many Imran policies but it doesn’t mean you have to show your upbringing. I hope you will keep your chutiyapa only at hone next time.
You Joker have debit Credit card we don’t
How is it possible, not to pay for the services one uses . One is suppose to pay for the services provided and not to steal Mr Dar Sahib !
Well thats good news to hear and i found all about this news only here so far i searched for it
So when this issues will be Solved
Yeh to hona hai