PTA Warns of Legal Action Over Unregistered Mobile Phones

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a public advisory cautioning citizens against using or dealing in unregistered mobile phones, citing regulatory and security concerns.

According to the notice, any device not registered via PTA’s Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS) could lead to legal consequences under existing laws. The authority warned that such devices compromise national security, disrupt mobile network performance, and expose users to privacy breaches and financial fraud.

PTA stated that only phones cleared through DIRBS and taxed by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) are legally permitted for use. The sale or promotion of unregistered joint venture (JV), cloned, or patched phones—common in local markets—is considered an offense under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), in coordination with PTA, is actively conducting raids, seizing unauthorized devices, and initiating criminal cases to dismantle networks trading in illegal phones.

PTA has urged the public to avoid buying or selling such phones and to report any suspicious activity through FIA’s online portal or the PTA website.