Every mobile phone used on a Pakistani network must be registered with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) through DIRBS — the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System. If you buy a phone locally from an authorised seller it is usually already registered, but a phone brought from abroad or bought from the grey market must be registered within the grace period or it will be blocked from calls, SMS and mobile data (Wi-Fi keeps working). This guide walks through the whole process for 2026.
Step 1 — Find your IMEI number
Your IMEI is a unique 15-digit number that identifies your device. Find it by:
- Dialling *#06# on your phone — the IMEI appears on screen.
- Going to Settings → About Phone → Status.
- Checking the original box or the sticker under the battery/back.
A dual-SIM phone has two IMEIs — note both, because you must register each one.
Step 2 — Check if your phone is already registered
Before doing anything, confirm your device’s status using any of these:
- SMS: send your 15-digit IMEI to 8484. You get an instant reply: compliant (registered), non-compliant (needs registration), or blocked.
- App: the official DVS / DIRBS app from the Play Store or App Store.
- Website: the DIRBS portal at dirbs.pta.gov.pk.
If the result is “compliant”, you are done — no registration or tax is needed.
Step 3 — Choose how to register: CNIC or passport
There are two registration types, and choosing the right one matters for the tax you pay:
- CNIC-based — for Pakistani residents registering a phone for their own long-term use. This is the standard route for locally-used phones.
- Passport-based — for travellers and overseas Pakistanis who brought a phone from abroad. Overseas Pakistanis get one device per calendar year registered tax-free using their passport; tourists can register a device temporarily (around 120 days) for free during a visit.
Important: if you brought a phone from abroad and qualify for the free overseas allowance, you must register using your passport details. Using your CNIC instead usually means you lose the exemption and pay full tax.
Step 4 — Register the device
You can register three ways:
- Online (recommended): go to dirbs.pta.gov.pk, create an account (or log in), choose Personal / Individual, select CNIC or passport, enter the number of SIM slots and each IMEI, and submit.
- DIRBS app: the same process from your phone.
- USSD: dial
*8484#, pick “Register Mobile Device”, choose Pakistani (CNIC) or foreigner (passport), state whether it is your first device, and enter your ID and IMEI(s). This works even on a basic phone.
The system then calculates any tax due and issues a PSID (a 17-digit Payment Slip ID).
Step 5 — Pay the tax (if any)
If tax is due, pay the PSID through any of these channels:
- Mobile wallets — JazzCash or Easypaisa
- Online/mobile banking — under Bill Payment or the government-tax section
- Any bank ATM, using the 17-digit PSID
- A bank branch (NBP, ABL, MCB, UBL and others)
The payment goes to the FBR, not PTA. Anyone can pay your PSID — the registration stays tied to the CNIC or passport used in the application, not the payer.
Step 6 — Confirm registration
Registration usually completes within 1–3 days of payment. Verify by sending your IMEI to 8484 again, or check the DIRBS portal. Save the confirmation for your records.
How much is the PTA tax?
The tax depends on the phone’s declared value and category, and it rises steeply for expensive phones. As a rough guide it ranges from a token amount on budget phones to tens of thousands of rupees on flagships. Because the exact figure changes with policy and exchange rates, always rely on the amount shown in your 8484 or DIRBS response rather than any fixed table. Passport-based registration is generally cheaper than CNIC-based for the same phone, and the overseas free allowance can make it zero.
Key deadlines and warnings
- 60-day grace period: register an imported phone within 60 days of inserting a Pakistani SIM, or it will be blocked.
- Register both IMEIs on a dual-SIM phone.
- Buy carefully: before purchasing a used or imported phone, send its IMEI to 8484 to confirm it is not already blocked. A blacklisted IMEI generally cannot be reactivated.
- Use the right ID: overseas Pakistanis must log in with passport details to get the free device slot.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if my phone is PTA approved?
Dial *#06# to get your IMEI, then SMS it to 8484. You can also check on the DIRBS app or at dirbs.pta.gov.pk. The reply tells you whether the device is compliant, non-compliant, or blocked.
What happens if I don’t register my phone?
After the 60-day grace period, an unregistered phone is blocked from all Pakistani networks — no calls, SMS or mobile data. Wi-Fi continues to work. Registering and paying any tax restores service.
Is registration itself free?
Using the DIRBS system to register is free; what you may pay is the tax/duty on the device, which depends on its value. Overseas Pakistanis get one tax-free device per year on their passport.
Can I register a phone bought abroad on my CNIC?
Yes, but if you qualify for the overseas free allowance you should use your passport to claim it. CNIC registration usually means paying the full tax.
Do I need to register a dual-SIM phone twice?
You register one device, but you must enter both IMEIs during the process, since a dual-SIM phone has two.
PTA and FBR rules, tax amounts and deadlines change without notice. Always confirm the current figure shown in your 8484/DIRBS response and check dirbs.pta.gov.pk before paying.