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PTA Approved or Not? How to Check and Register a Phone's IMEI

Dial *#06# to see your phone's IMEI, then send it by SMS to 8484. The reply tells you whether the phone is PTA compliant, needs registering, or is blocked.

From the Pakistan desk, also filed under Technology

By Trends Editorial

Published 4 min read

In brief

How to check whether a mobile phone is PTA approved by SMS to 8484 or online through DIRBS, what each status means, how to register a phone brought from abroad, and what to check before buying a used phone.

The quick check: SMS 8484

  1. Find the IMEI: dial *#06# on the phone. A 15-digit number appears. Dual-SIM phones show two IMEIs.
  2. Send the IMEI by SMS to 8484 from any Pakistani mobile number.
  3. Read the reply, which gives the phone's status (explained below).
  4. Check both IMEIs on a dual-SIM phone.

You can also check online on PTA's DIRBS (Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System) website, linked from pta.gov.pk, or with PTA's official app.

What the results mean

StatusMeaningWhat to do
CompliantOfficially approved and imported, or already registeredNothing. The phone works on Pakistani networks
Valid (not compliant)A genuine IMEI, but not registered with PTARegister it and pay any applicable tax, or it will be blocked
Non-compliant / invalidThe IMEI is fake, duplicated or not issued by the GSMADo not buy it. It cannot be registered
BlockedReported lost or stolen, or blocked for non-registrationDo not buy a phone reported stolen. If it is your phone, contact PTA or your operator

A phone bought from an authorised dealer or brand store in Pakistan should already be compliant.

Registering a phone brought from abroad

If you bought a phone overseas or received one as a gift, you need to register it with PTA to use Pakistani SIMs long term.

  1. Check the tax: dial *8484# or use PTA's Device Registration System (DRS) online to see the duty and tax for your phone model. Rates depend on the phone's value and are revised in budgets, so check at the time you register.
  2. Apply for registration through the DRS portal, by dialling *8484#, or at a mobile operator's franchise or customer service centre. You will need your CNIC or passport and the IMEI(s).
  3. Get a PSID (payment slip ID) for the tax.
  4. Pay the PSID through a bank, online banking or a mobile wallet app.
  5. Wait for confirmation, then check the IMEI again by SMS to 8484. It should show as registered.

Registering with a passport rather than a CNIC can carry a different tax rate for people arriving from abroad, subject to conditions such as recent arrival dates. Check DIRBS for the current rules.

Before buying a used phone

Used phones are where most PTA problems happen. Before paying:

  • Check every IMEI by SMS to 8484 in front of the seller. Make sure the IMEI on the screen (*#06#) matches the box and the Settings page.
  • Beware of "non-PTA" phones sold cheaply. They may already be blocked, or may need tax that makes them more expensive than an approved one.
  • Check the phone is not reported stolen (a blocked status).
  • Make sure the seller has signed out of their account (Apple ID or Google account). A locked phone cannot be used.
  • Get a receipt with the IMEI, the seller's name and CNIC number for higher-value phones.

If your phone is lost or stolen

  1. Report it to the police and get a report.
  2. Ask PTA to block the IMEI through its lost and stolen device process, which stops the phone working on Pakistani networks.
  3. Block your SIM with your operator and get a replacement.
  4. Change passwords for email, banking and social media, and use your phone's built-in "find my device" feature. Our guide to tracking a lost phone explains how.

Key takeaways

  • Dial *#06# for the IMEI, then SMS it to 8484.
  • "Compliant" means PTA approved; "Valid" means it needs registering.
  • Check the current tax with *8484# before you register a phone from abroad.
  • Always check IMEIs before buying a used phone.

Rules, taxes and procedures are set by PTA and the government and change from time to time. Check pta.gov.pk and DIRBS for the latest information.

Questions readers ask

How do I find my phone's IMEI number?

Dial *#06# on the phone and the IMEI appears on screen. It is also in Settings, under About phone, and on the box. Dual-SIM phones have two IMEI numbers, one for each slot, and both should be checked and registered.

What happens if my phone is not PTA approved?

A phone that has not been registered with PTA will eventually be blocked from Pakistani mobile networks, so calls, SMS and mobile data stop working on Pakistani SIMs. It can usually still use Wi-Fi. Registering the phone and paying any applicable duty and tax unblocks it.

How much is the PTA tax on a phone?

The duty and taxes depend on the phone's value and model, and on whether you register with a passport or CNIC, and the rates are revised by the government from time to time. Dial *8484# or check the PTA Device Registration System to see the current amount for your phone before you pay.

Can I use a foreign phone temporarily in Pakistan?

Visitors and overseas Pakistanis can typically use a foreign phone on a Pakistani SIM for a limited period before registration is required. The allowed period and rules have changed over time, so check PTA's DIRBS website for the current rules before your trip.

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