How to Register Dual SIM Phone with PTA
What you need to know about register dual sim phone with pta
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.
Both IMEIs must be registered separately at dirbs.pta.gov.pk. Dial *#06# to see both. Tax is per device (one payment), not per IMEI.
Related: register phone, check PTA status, unblock phone.
Dual SIM Registration — Step by Step
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Find both IMEIs | Dial *#06# — two 15-digit numbers are displayed |
| 2 | Check both on DIRBS | Enter each IMEI separately at dirbs.pta.gov.pk |
| 3 | Tax is per device | One tax payment covers both IMEIs — not double tax |
| 4 | Register both | Register each IMEI in the same session |
| 5 | Verify both show compliant | Check each IMEI status after payment |
Check IMEI: IMEI guide. Register: DIRBS guide. Pay tax: payment methods. Status check: PTA check.
Common dual-SIM confusion: Some users register only one IMEI and wonder why their phone still gets blocking warnings. Both IMEIs must be registered — if either shows non-compliant, the device will be partially or fully blocked. The DIRBS system tracks both IMEIs as belonging to the same device, so tax is calculated once for the phone (not doubled for having two SIM slots).
eSIM considerations: Some newer phones use eSIM (embedded SIM) for one slot and a physical nano-SIM for the other. The eSIM slot still has its own IMEI that must be registered with PTA. The registration process is identical — enter the eSIM IMEI at dirbs.pta.gov.pk alongside the physical SIM IMEI. eSIM activation in Pakistan requires the carrier to provision it remotely, which only works if the IMEI is PTA-compliant.
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.