ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority blocked close to 100 million mobile devices across the country during the fiscal year 2024–25, the authority reported in its annual review. The blocked devices included 868,000 reported as lost or stolen, 72 million counterfeit phones, and 27 million handsets with duplicate or cloned IMEI numbers.
Officials said the actions demonstrate the PTA’s commitment to securing mobile networks and protecting consumers from fraudulent and substandard devices.
DIRBS transforms mobile device management
The PTA highlighted that the Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS) has revolutionized mobile device oversight in Pakistan. The system has curbed the import of counterfeit and low-quality phones, formalized the mobile phone market, and enhanced consumer protection. Furthermore, it has helped increase government revenue by ensuring that devices used on Pakistani networks are registered and compliant with regulations.
According to the report, the Mobile Device Management Regulations 2021, implemented under DIRBS, played a key role in reducing smuggling and unauthorized local manufacturing. Since 2019, the PTA has collected over Rs83 billion in taxes through mobile device registration, signaling the program’s financial and regulatory impact.
Domestic manufacturing rises
The report also noted significant growth in local production. By 2025, more than 95 percent of mobile phones on Pakistani networks were locally manufactured, including 68 percent of smartphones. This shift not only supports domestic industry but also strengthens regulatory oversight and reduces dependence on imports. The PTA plans to continue expanding DIRBS and monitoring mobile device compliance to maintain market integrity, enhance consumer safety, and sustain revenue collection.
