ISLAMABAD, May 03, 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