Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has warned illegal mobile users across the country not to use tampered, cloned devices which is a criminal offense under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 and violators may face serious consequences.
According to announcement, the PTA urged the masses that anyone found using non-compliant or “patched” devices, particularly those with altered IMEI numbers, can face fines of up to PKR1 million, imprisonment of up to three years, or both. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), in collaboration with PTA, is authorised to take action, including confiscation of the device.
At the heart of the issue is the illegal practice of IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) tampering — altering a phone’s unique identity to bypass PTA registration. While some users unknowingly purchase such phones through grey-market dealers, the law does not exempt ignorance.
PTA’s Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS) plays a central role in filtering out non-compliant devices. Only mobile phones that are legally imported and registered can function on local mobile networks.
PTA further advises users to look for a clear “PTA Approved” label when purchasing new phones, especially from online sellers or unofficial retailers, to avoid any legal issues or service disruptions.