Pakistan Makes PTA Certificate of Compliance Mandatory for Telecom Equipment

Pakistan has tightened the rules for bringing telecom equipment into the country. Under the new Telecommunication Equipment Standards Regulations, 2024 (S.R.O. 1110(I)/2026), equipment now needs a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) before it can be imported, deployed or put into use.

Timing: already in force

This one caught some people off guard. The regulations were published in the Gazette of Pakistan on 14 July 2026 and took effect straight away. PTA publicly announced them on 8 September 2026. We haven't seen any official transition period, so if you have shipments on the way, assume the requirement applies now.

Who it applies to

Licensees, manufacturers and importers of telecom equipment. According to PTA, that means all equipment, whether it's made locally, imported, or deployed in networks.

What equipment has to meet

Products must comply with standards covering EMC, RF, health and safety, and optical and laser safety, with separate categories for mobile devices, satellite equipment and terrestrial equipment. PTA recognises standards from the major international bodies, including ITU-T, ETSI/EN, IEC/CISPR, FCC and the EU Radio Equipment Directive.

How to get a CoC

Applications go to PTA (currently by email to commercialcoc@pta.gov.pk) with:

• A declaration of conformity
• Test reports from an accredited lab for every standard you declare (PTA can ask for testing in Pakistan)
• A copy of the bill of lading or airway bill, plus details of the customs port where the shipment is held
• Technical literature and an end-to-end network connectivity diagram

Because shipping documents are part of the application, the CoC is closely tied to customs clearance, so it's worth preparing your test reports before the goods leave the factory.

PTA can also inspect premises, with or without notice, and companies must keep equipment records for three years.

Is this the same as type approval?

No. PTA type approval for terminal equipment that connects to public networks is still a separate process. Depending on your product, you may need both. It's not yet clear exactly how the new regulations fit with the existing type approval technical standards, so check your specific product before you ship.

We handle PTA approvals every week. If you need help with a CoC or Pakistan PTA type approval, get in touch.

Sources: PTA press release, 8 September 2026, Telecommunication Equipment Standards Regulations (gazette PDF), Profit / Pakistan Today.