Pakistan authority to block smuggled mobile phones after October 20

In an attempt to curb the illegal import of mobile devices, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has started to send messages through Short Messaging Service (SMS) to all mobile subscribers to create public awareness about Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS). Any mobile device that reflects a non-compliant status after October 20 would be blocked in accordance to PTA/DIRBS regulations. The system facilitates legitimate device importers and mobile device users and improve overall security situation. As per the information issued, the telecom consumers can verify the status of their mobile device by sending its International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number via SMS to 8484, on the DIRBS website www.dirbs.pta.gov.pk, or by downloading the DIRBS Android mobile application from Google Play Store. The final phase of DIRBS shall begin on October 20. A senior PTA official said that illegal and unregistered mobile handsets are a threat to public security. In most of the cases, it had been observed that mobile handsets, usually without any identity are used in criminal activities. These handsets are either brought from other countries, local market, or were snatched or stolen from the people. PTA had implemented a system called DIRBS, which would simply make a non-compliant handset useless.