PTA Temporarily Suspends Mobile Phone Registration Service. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced a temporary shutdown of its mobile phone registration service this weekend due to scheduled system maintenance by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The suspension will impact thousands of users who rely on the Device Identification Registration & Blocking System (DIRBS) to register imported or new mobile devices.
If you are planning to register your phone, this guide will help you understand the outage, its timing, and what steps you should take before the system becomes unavailable.
Why PTA Is Suspending the Mobile Registration Service?
PTA’s mobile device registration system, also known as DIRBS, is directly linked with FBR’s servers. Since FBR will be performing system upgrades and maintenance, the registration service must be paused temporarily.
This maintenance aims to improve system performance, enhance security, and ensure smoother processing of mobile device registrations in the future.
When Will the Service Be Unavailable?
The temporary suspension will occur during the following schedule:
| Date | Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 December 2025 | Saturday | Service Suspended | 10:00 PM onwards |
| 7 December 2025 | Sunday | Service Still Unavailable | Until Sunday Evening |
PTA expects services to resume by Sunday evening, once FBR completes its system maintenance activities.
Who Will Be Affected?
The outage will impact:
- Individuals needing to register new smartphones
- Travelers returning from abroad with imported devices
- Overseas Pakistanis sending phones home
- Businesses or retailers dealing with mobile imports
- Users wanting to check DIRBS status or block/unblock devices
If your phone is already registered, the outage will not affect your device’s service or network connectivity.
PTA’s Advice for Users Before the Shutdown
PTA has strongly recommended users to:
Register Phones Before Maintenance Begins
If you have a mobile device that needs to be registered, complete the process before 10:00 PM on Saturday. Any pending request after this time may fail until services resume.
Avoid Last-Minute Submissions
Due to high traffic just before weekend outages, the system may slow down, causing delays.
Keep Your IMEI Safe
Ensure you have your device IMEI numbers saved or written down. You may need them once the system comes back online.
Use Official DIRBS Channels Only
Always use PTA’s official registration portal or USSD code to verify your IMEI to avoid scams.
What Services Will Not Work During the Suspension?
During the maintenance window, the following DIRBS services will be unavailable:
- Online mobile phone registration
- IMEI verification
- PTA tax calculation and payment processing
- Device blocking and unblocking requests
- DIRBS-based compliance checks
All functionalities will return once system maintenance is complete.
Will PTA Resume Service Immediately After Maintenance?
PTA has confirmed that services will be restored as soon as FBR completes the scheduled maintenance. If there are no technical delays, users can expect full functionality by Sunday evening.
The authority has also thanked the public for their cooperation and patience during this short suspension.
Why System Maintenance Is Necessary
Temporary outages like this are routine and important because they help:
- Improve system speed
- Strengthen cybersecurity
- Reduce chances of data errors
- Enhance mobile device tracking
- Ensure a better user experience
Such upgrades help PTA and FBR maintain strict control over illegal mobile imports and ensure that all devices operate under Pakistan’s regulatory framework.
What Should Users Do After the Service Returns?
Once DIRBS becomes active again, users can:
- Register new devices
- Verify IMEI numbers
- Pay mobile registration taxes
- Check device authenticity
- Resolve pending registration issues
If you face delays after the outage, it may be due to high traffic, so it’s best to wait a few hours before retrying.
Conclusion
The temporary suspension of PTA’s mobile device registration service from 6th to 7th December 2025 is due to essential FBR system maintenance. While the outage may cause short-term inconvenience, it will ultimately help improve service quality and system reliability.
Users who need to register a phone should complete the process before the maintenance begins on Saturday night. PTA has assured that the system will be restored promptly and appreciates public cooperation during this upgrade period.
