Law enforcement agencies have identified a significant number of mobile phones being smuggled into Pakistan through Dubai and other countries, resulting in substantial financial losses. The surge in mobile phone smuggling is attributed to increased import taxes and fluctuating foreign exchange rates.
Key Points:
- Smuggling Routes: The phones are frequently smuggled through Dubai and other countries, causing billions of rupees in losses.
- Increased Smuggling: Mobile phone smuggling has risen sharply due to surging import taxes and foreign exchange rates.
- Illegal Approvals: Smuggled smartphones are being approved by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) through illegal methods such as CPID (Consumer Product Identification) IMEI repair and patch approvals.
- Government Action: The government of Pakistan has identified and listed hundreds of individuals and shops involved in patching smartphones through these unauthorized methods.
- Crackdown on Website: The PTA will initiate a crackdown against the website cpidserver.com, which provides CPID approval services globally.
Understanding CPID/Patch Approval:
- CPID Approvals: This method allows unofficial PTA approvals at affordable rates, enabling the use of SIM cards on flagship phones. It involves changing the IMEI number of a smartphone through software connected to a remote paid server.
- Patch Approvals: Similar to CPID, patch approvals involve techniques that limit the phone to a single software patch, preventing users from updating their devices.
Government’s Response:
The government and PTA are taking decisive action against the illegal approvals of smuggled devices. While this may not signal the absolute end of CPID or patch approvals, the crackdown is expected to widen in scope in the future to curb the unauthorized use of smuggled devices. The identification of individuals and shops involved in these practices marks a significant step in addressing the issue.
