What is DIRBS?
Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System
Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System’s (DIRBS) is a mobile device ecosystem implemented by PTA to ensure that only type approved and legal devices are operational over mobile networks in Pakistan.
How to check IMEI?
Kindly dial *#06# from the dialer of mobile device to know your 15 digit IMEI number. Dual sim phones have 2 SIM slots thus 2 different IMEI numbers. After receiving the 15 digit IMEI number for each SIM slot , please send each 15 digit IMEI number via SMS to 8484 (at a charge of 10 paisas) to find out the verification status of your phone.
Message and their Responses:
| Message | Explanation | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Your mobile device IMEI is compliant (PTA Approved) | This message indicates that the mobile device is PTA compliant. so you can continue to enjoy any network’s services. | No action is required as the device is compliant |
| Your mobile device IMEI is Non-Compliant | This message indicates that IMEI programmed on your device is non-standard therefore flagged as non-compliant by PTA. | All such devices will be blocked by PTA within 60 days of first seen date on network after 15th Jan 2019. You are requested to buy a new mobile phone to continue using network services. |
| Your device IMEI is Valid but not PTA approved | This message indicates that IMEI of the device is a GSMA standard number however it was brought into the county via informal channels and therefore was not registered at PTA. | Users in possession of such mobile devices will be required to use one of the following procedures to get device registered. For registration of device through PTA, all subjected individuals can sign up on https://dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs or dial *8484# to check for applicable duty tax. Disclaimer: As per policy user can bring maximum of 5 devices in personal capacity per year. Only 1 device will be allowed duty free in one calendar year per traveler. |
| Device IMEI was observed non-compliant as of 15th January 2019. IMEI has been paired with your mobile number and device will remain operational. | This message indicates that IMEI programmed on your device is non-standard therefore flagged as non-compliant by PTA. However all users of such devices who were observed active on Pakistani mobile networks before 15th January 2019 have been paired with their mobile numbers and shall continue to use mobile services with no handset blocking. | Such paired IMEIs/mobiles will receive network services on the paired SIMs only. No action required by user. |
