The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has reiterated its warning against the use of illegal mobile devices, emphasizing that such actions are criminal offences under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. Offenders may face severe consequences, including fines, arrests, and device confiscation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and PTA.
In a recent public announcement, PTA highlighted the legal ramifications of using non-compliant mobile devices, including those with tampered or cloned IMEI numbers. Tampering with IMEI is a serious offence under PECA 2016, punishable by up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of up to one million rupees.
PTA’s Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS) ensures that only legally imported and registered mobile devices are allowed to operate in Pakistan. The authority urges consumers to purchase PTA-approved devices, identifiable by a visible “PTA Approved” stamp, to avoid service disruptions and legal issues.
How to Verify Mobile Device Status with PTA
To verify the status of a mobile device, users can visit https://dirbs.pta.gov.pk, send the device’s IMEI number via SMS to 8484, or use the PTA Device Registration Guide app available on Android platforms.
