Chaudhry Tabraiz Aurah

ISLAMABAD / London : Overseas Pakistanis are expressing growing frustration over the government’s failure to implement a much-anticipated mobile phone registration scheme announced at a high-profile convention held earlier this year in Islamabad.The Overseas Pakistanis Convention, organized by the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) on April 15, 2025, attracted participants from the global Pakistani diaspora. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir addressed the convention, reaffirming the government’s commitment to addressing long-standing issues faced by overseas citizens.Among the key announcements made during the convention was the introduction of a policy allowing each Overseas Pakistani to register one mobile phone per year free of duty, usable in Pakistan for a period of up to three months. The policy aimed to ease the financial and logistical burdens faced by those visiting Pakistan, and was widely appreciated by attendees.

However, nearly two months later, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has yet to implement the policy. The PTA’s official website continues to display a maintenance alert stating:

“Mobile Device Registration and Verification Services are under maintenance till Sunday, April 21, 06:00 AM. Inconvenience is regretted, please.”

As of June 11, the service remains inactive, and eligible Overseas Pakistanis are still unable to register their devices under the announced scheme. In the absence of this facility, many mobile phones continue to be blocked approximately two months after arriving in Pakistan, a practice that predates the OPF convention.This lack of follow-through has led to growing skepticism and disappointment among overseas communities, who view the delay as a breach of trust and a failure to deliver on a public commitment.The issue has since been brought to the attention of Mr. Afzal Bhatti, Managing Director of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation. In response, Mr. Bhatti acknowledged the concerns and assured the public that he would engage directly with the Managing Director of PTA to expedite the process and ensure swift implementation of the promised relief.

“For many overseas Pakistanis, this is not just about registering a phone—it’s about feeling respected and connected to their homeland,” said a community representative in London. “Unfulfilled promises hurt more than no promises at all.”With remittances playing a crucial role in Pakistan’s economy, the diaspora has repeatedly called for greater inclusion in policy decisions. The government now faces mounting pressure to act, not only to restore faith in its commitments but also to uphold the rights and expectations of millions of overseas citizens who contribute significantly to the country’s financial stability