• Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s Role in Electronic Device Safety.
• PTA clarified that it is not responsible for the safety of electronic devices, including identifying explosive materials.
• PTA says it doesn’t feel responsible for assuring the safety of electronic devices.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has stated that it is not responsible for the safety of electronic devices, including identifying explosive materials, as this duty does not fall under its jurisdiction or relate to telecommunications. In official documents addressing recent incidents of pager device explosions in Lebanon and Syria, the PTA clarified that detecting explosive substances is outside its mandate.

The Authority emphasized that such threats could be concealed within various electronics like televisions, refrigerators, and other appliances, not solely telecom devices. PTA’s role under Section 29 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act focuses on regulating terminal devices, ensuring they meet international standards.

This includes verifying the IMEIs of mobile devices against GSMA records to confirm they are valid, and not reported as stolen, duplicated, or cloned. The type approval process requires applicants to submit international testing reports, ensuring devices meet the technical criteria specified in PTA’s Type Approval Regulations 2021.

While PTA oversees the type approval of telecom devices, any further physical inspections to check for hazardous materials would fall to other relevant authorities.

In line with the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 and National Cyber Security Policy 2021, the government has introduced the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Rules 2023.

CERT’s responsibilities, supported by newly established labs, include digital forensics to analyze compromised systems and screening systems for malware and hardware implants before deployment. Further information regarding these developments can be obtained from the relevant organizations.

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