What Happens if You Don't Register Phone in 60 Days
What you need to know about what happens if you don't register phone in 60 days
PTA phone registration affects every Pakistani who uses a mobile phone — which is essentially everyone. The system tracks every device on Pakistani networks through its unique IMEI number, blocking phones that aren't registered or have been reported stolen. For most people, registration is a one-time process: check your IMEI at dirbs.pta.gov.pk, pay the applicable tax (if any), and your phone works permanently. The process takes 5-10 minutes online. Where people get stuck is when they miss the 60-day deadline, buy a used phone without checking PTA status, or bring a phone from abroad without understanding the registration requirements.
The PTA tax feels steep on expensive phones — Rs. 37,000+ on phones above $700 — but it's a one-time charge, not annual. Spread over a phone's typical 3-4 year lifespan, even the highest tax tier adds Rs. 770-1,030 per month to your cost of ownership. Factor this into your phone purchase decision: sometimes buying locally (with PTA pre-registered and local warranty) costs the same or less than importing plus PTA tax plus losing international warranty. Always check the PTA-assessed value at dirbs.pta.gov.pk before deciding whether to import or buy locally.
After 60 days, PTA blocks the IMEI — no calls, SMS, or mobile data. Wi-Fi still works. To restore: register and pay the PTA tax at dirbs.pta.gov.pk.
Related: register phone, check PTA status, unblock phone.
60-Day Timeline — What Happens and When
| Day | What Happens | Your Status | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | SIM inserted, phone activates on PK network | Compliant (grace period) | Register at dirbs.pta.gov.pk |
| Day 1-30 | Full functionality, warning SMS from PTA | Still compliant | Pay tax or register via passport |
| Day 31-45 | Reminder SMS, increased urgency | Still compliant | Pay urgently — deadline approaching |
| Day 46-59 | Final warnings via SMS | Last chance | Pay immediately to avoid blocking |
| Day 60 | IMEI blocked on all PK networks | Blocked — no calls/SMS/data | Must pay tax to restore |
| After Day 60 | Phone works on WiFi only | Blocked | Pay at dirbs.pta.gov.pk to unblock |
Register now: DIRBS registration. Pay tax: payment methods. Tax calculator: PTA tax calculator. Already blocked? unblock guide.
What "blocked" actually means: Your phone cannot make calls, send SMS, or use mobile data on ANY Pakistani cellular network (Jazz, Telenor, Ufone, Zong). WiFi continues to work normally — you can still use WhatsApp, email, and internet over WiFi. But without cellular connectivity, you can't receive calls or SMS (including bank OTPs, ride-hailing confirmations, and delivery notifications). Essentially, your smartphone becomes a WiFi-only tablet.
The blocking is IMEI-level, not SIM-level. Swapping SIMs doesn't help — the block is on the phone's hardware identity, not your number. Even factory-resetting the phone doesn't remove the block. The only solutions: pay the PTA tax (legitimate) or use the phone only on WiFi (limited). Any shop claiming to "unblock" your phone through IMEI manipulation is offering an illegal service that can result in permanent device bricking.
The PTA registration system affects every phone user in Pakistan — whether you bought your device locally or brought it from abroad. The process is designed to be quick (5-10 minutes online) but the consequences of ignoring it are severe (complete cellular blocking after 60 days). The most important habit: check any phone on dirbs.pta.gov.pk BEFORE purchasing. This free, instant check reveals whether the device is compliant, non-compliant, blocked, stolen, or counterfeit. In Pakistan second-hand phone markets, an estimated 5-10% of devices have registration issues that only surface after the buyer has already paid. The 30-second DIRBS check eliminates this risk entirely — make it non-negotiable before any phone purchase, whether from a shop, online marketplace, or personal seller.
Always verify current requirements. Fees, timelines, and document requirements can change without advance notice. Check the relevant official website or call the office before your visit to confirm the latest requirements.