Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) decided not to block mobile phones with unregistered IMEIs till 19th May due to ongoing Coronavirus crisis in Pakistan.
PTA issued statement that PTA has extended the blocking of IMEI deadline to an additional 30 days for all GSMA valid device IMEIs seen on mobile networks but currently not registered with PTA.
It further stated that this extension has been given to provide relief and facilitation to the public and ensure social distancing. The blocking of such mobile devices will begin from the 19th of the next month and will be communicated via SMS.
PTA official said that all mobile devices being connected to local networks using local SIM are subject to registration within 60 days from first use of device on local mobile networks in Pakistan as per rules and regulations.
Further said that however due to extraordinary circumstances, blocking of non-registered device IMEIs which were decided to be blocked from 18th March to 18th May 2020 will now start from 19th May 2020 due to ongoing Coronavirus crisis in Pakistan.
The PTA has launched a device identification registration and blocking system (DIRBS). Mobile device users can register their devices through its website or by dialling *8484#.
In December 2018, the PTA had announced that unregistered, smuggled and stolen phones will be blocked using DIRBS.