PTA to block all unregistered mobile devices

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has made a public announcement that “all unregistered mobile devices will be blocked from local networks.”

The citizens have been prompted to register their phones using the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) in order to ensure uninterrupted service.

In the view of PTA, unregistered mobile phones are a threat to national security and can be used in financial and cyber fraud. The authority emphasized that it is illegal to have, sell, or use these devices under current laws and constitutes a punishable offense.

PTA asked the public not to purchase or sell unregistered phones, pointing out that these phones are not authenticated in the official system and thus cannot be legally used. The public was warned that using the unregistered handsets would lead to service suspension as well as legal action.

The regulator warned that consumers only have a short time left to comply. To prevent disruption, citizens are advised to verify the status of their devices on the DIRBS portal and register where necessary.