Fact check: Google is not suspending Play Store in Pakistan but users won’t be able to buy apps with mobile balance

Online rumours claiming that Pakistani Android users will be unable to use Google Play Store services are false and misleading, as users will be able to download and use free apps.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) stopped paying $34 million to international tech companies in order to reduce the outflow of dollars, so Android users in Pakistan won’t be able to purchase paid apps through mobile carrier billing.

Carrier payments, or a method by which mobile users pay for paid apps using their mobile credits, will no longer be available.

فری گوگل ایپلی کیشنز کی سروسز برقرار رہیں گی. بین الاقوامی اداروں کو ادائیگی روکنے کا عمل پاکستان کی ساکھ متاثر کرسکتا ہے. پیڈ ایپلی کیشنز استعمال کرنے والے افراد و شہریوں کو شدید مشکلات کا سامنا کرنا پڑ سکتا ہے." (سید امین الحق)#MOITT #googleplaystore #GooglePlay

— Ministry of IT & Telecom (@MoitOfficial) November 26, 2022

According to details, the SBP has halted payments totaling $34 million to foreign service providers, which would prevent mobile customers in Pakistan from accessing paid services through the Google Play Store.

Details indicate that the SBP terminated Direct Carrier Billing (DCB). As a result, the payment to foreign service providers, including Google, Amazon, and Meta, has been suspended. It is important to note that Pakistani customers may only pay for applications or paid services with credit or debit cards.