The much trumpeted system introduced by the PTA by the name of DRIBS system seems to be in doldrums as a number of loopholes have been found in the system which instead of guiding the expatriate Pakistanis to pay taxes and legalize their devices, simply allows a duty free entry, leaving the device to be legalized quietly on the basis of data of the incoming passenger.
That loophole, if on one hand deprives the government of the promised revenue over board, it also allows a free entry of the smuggled sets into the market with no regard to the damage done to the market based prospects for the devices entering the market through legalized import channels.
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Sources as well as passengers point out that while the entry of the imported devices through the possession of the Pakistani nationals entering the country is not documented in anyway , the tall talk of taxation collection is nowhere to be seen.
A few passengers told NETMAG that despite so much media blitz about the documentation and duty collection against the mobiles, they were not even asked about the devices and they were allowed entry I go the country without much hassle.
The reason for that situation, other than the loophole in the system has been simply a lack of homework on part of the FBR. As of today, except for notification or information package, neither the FBR nor the PTA had anything to offer as web links where the mobile data could be entered or any link where the payment mode on the pattern of IRIS to facilitate the expatriate Pakistani to make the payment, confirm it and then being the mobile, in the process legalizing the device and benefiting the exchequer.
That lack of homework, the market watchers observe has allowed the government to legalize the phones on the basis of data the custom authorities have in the form of immigration record.
DRIBS system in Doldrums
As a matter of fact, the legalization has the hallmark of earlier concession that once the SIM with such phone is use, it automatically legalizes the device. Here there seems to be lame efforts on part of the regulatory agencies to collect any kind of taxation. The situation reflects a sort of indecision on part of the regulatory authorities and the lack of will to do the needful. Given such a scenario, the DRIBS system is destined to go down the drain like many such half baked initiatives.
