ISLAMABAD: Google Play services will not be shut down after December 1, 2022, the country’s IT ministry said, as the central bank has been asked to restore the mechanism through which such payments are made to international companies. are done
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has shut down the Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) mechanism, which resulted in payments of $34 million annually by mobile companies to international service providers including Google, Amazon and Meta. went
Analysts say the move is aimed at curbing dollar outflows.
Android users will continue to enjoy these services paid for through mobile carrier billing, eliminating uncertainty about the future of these services.
Earlier, it was reported that Android users in Pakistan have been denied the ability to purchase paid apps or use in-app paid services through mobile operator billing – which allows users to pay for apps using their mobile credit. There is a way to pay for it – because State Bank has withheld payment of $34 million. to global companies.
گوگل ایپلی کیشن کی بندش/امین الحق کا بیان
— Ministry of IT & Telecom (@MoitOfficial) November 26, 2022
وزیر خزانہ معاملے کا فوری نوٹس لیتے ہوئے اسٹیٹ بینک کو ادائیگی جاری رکھنے کی ہدایت کریں. ضروری ہے کہ مستقبل میں آئی ٹی وٹیلی کام کے حوالے سے فیصلوں میں وزارت کی مشاورت لازمی شامل کی جائے." (امین الحق) pic.twitter.com/8fVA2DGirg
Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoIIT) Minister Aminul Haq said in a statement posted on the ministry’s Twitter handle that he has written to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to direct the State Bank to unfreeze payments.
He said that this decision has been taken after consultation with the stakeholders.
“A few days ago, a letter was written by all telecom operators to the IT Ministry, fearing that this issue is likely to surface sooner or later.”
The MoIIT, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and four cellular mobile operators (CMOs) on Friday unanimously wrote a joint letter to the State Bank, seeking to cancel the DCB mechanism for payment of dollar fees, keeping liquidity in mind. A request was made to withdraw its decision. The crisis facing the country
Haq said that the telecom industry is already suffering and such decisions could make matters worse.
“The State Bank’s decision to suspend payments will stop paid Google application services in Pakistan, freeze payments to international institutions, cast doubt on the country’s credibility,” the minister said.
He further said that the Finance Minister should take immediate notice of the matter and direct the State Bank to continue the payment.
Had the government not intervened, Pakistani users would have been forced to download Google and other international apps to pay only through credit cards or debit cards.
But the credit card facility is limited to a certain number of users, so a majority of mobile users may miss out on downloading apps from Google Play.
