The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a strong warning to mobile users, reminding them that using tampered, cloned, or illegal mobile devices is a punishable offense under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. The authority stressed that violators could face fines of up to PKR1 million, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, with enforcement carried out by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in collaboration with PTA.
Central to the issue is the illegal practice of IMEI tampering, which involves altering a phone’s unique identification number to bypass PTA’s registration system. Although some users unknowingly purchase such devices through grey-market channels, ignorance of the law does not offer protection from prosecution. Confiscation of the device is also a possible penalty.
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PTA’s Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS) is designed to detect and block non-compliant devices from accessing local mobile networks. To avoid legal complications, users are encouraged to verify their device’s status through PTA’s official website, SMS service, or mobile app before using it on Pakistani networks.
The PTA also urges consumers to ensure their new phones carry a visible “PTA Approved” label, particularly when buying from online platforms or unofficial retailers. This precaution can prevent service disruptions and avoid potential legal troubles.
