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September 11, 2026
PTA has introduced a mandatory certification requirement for telecom equipment, creating a new compliance step before devices can enter or operate in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced a mandatory Certificate of Compliance (CoC) requirement for telecommunication equipment used in Pakistan. Under the new rules, covered equipment must obtain certification before it can be imported, deployed on networks or brought into operational service.
The requirement forms part of the Telecommunication Equipment Standards Regulations and extends across the industry. PTA licensees, equipment manufacturers and importers will all be subject to the framework, which was approved by the federal government under Section 28 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996.
The regulations establish technical compliance as a condition for the use of telecom equipment. Products will need to satisfy applicable requirements covering areas such as electromagnetic compatibility, radio-frequency performance, health and safety, along with other technical specifications set under the regulatory framework.
PTA said equipment covered by the rules cannot proceed to import, deployment or operational use without a CoC issued by the authority. This effectively introduces a formal approval stage for telecom hardware entering Pakistan or being incorporated into telecommunications networks.
According to the authority, the regulations were prepared after discussions with various industry stakeholders, including importers, telecom operators, manufacturers, vendors and other representatives of the sector. The consultation process was aimed at incorporating industry perspectives into the new compliance framework.
PTA said the regulations are designed to promote compatibility between telecom equipment and networks while improving interoperability and service quality. The authority also expects the framework to contribute to the development of local manufacturing and support wider economic activity.
For companies involved in Pakistan’s telecom equipment supply chain, the new rules add certification to the requirements that must be addressed before eligible equipment reaches the market or becomes operational. The framework therefore gives technical conformity a more prominent role in the country’s telecommunications sector.
