New Alert Has Issued By PTA For Device Registration
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued an important update for mobile users across the country. The authority has announced that its Device Identification Registration & Blocking System (DIRBS) will remain temporarily unavailable due to scheduled maintenance by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Citizens who need to register their mobile devices have been advised to complete the process before the shutdown period begins.
DIRBS To Remain Offline For Maintenance On 6 & 7 Dec
According to the official announcement, DIRBS services will be unavailable from 10:00 PM on Saturday, 6 December, and the system is expected to stay offline until Sunday evening, 7 December 2025.
The maintenance activity is part of ongoing efforts by the FBR to upgrade system performance and improve service reliability.
PTA has requested citizens to plan their device registration accordingly and avoid any inconvenience during the service interruption.
PTA Advises Urgent Device Registration Before the Shutdown
PTA has urged individuals who require urgent device registration, especially travelers, new buyers, and importers, to complete the process before 6 December.
The authority also thanked the public for their patience and cooperation during the temporary downtime, assuring that services will resume as soon as maintenance work is completed.
PTA Denies Issuing Orders to Remove Foreigners From Social Media Groups
Along with the DIRBS announcement, PTA addressed misinformation circulating online regarding social media groups.
A fake notification had falsely claimed that PTA had ordered group admins to remove all foreign members from WhatsApp, Facebook, and other platforms.
PTA Confirms No Such Directives Were Issued
PTA clarified through its official channels that no such instructions have been issued and warned citizens against sharing unverified or misleading updates.
The authority emphasized that spreading false notifications contributes to public confusion and should be avoided.
PTA reiterated that only updates issued through its official website and verified social media accounts should be considered authentic.
PTA Conducts Raids Against Illegal SIM Issuance Networks
In a separate development, PTA’s Zonal Office in Lahore, along with the National Central Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), carried out successful crackdowns on telecom franchisees involved in illegal SIM activations.
Raids Conducted in Three Major Districts
Joint teams conducted operations in:
- Shahkot (District Nankana Sahib)
- Haveli Lakha (District Okara)
- Yazman (District Bahawalpur)
During these raids, authorities seized a large number of suspicious SIMs, biometric devices, and equipment used for unlawful activations. All confiscated material has been handed over to NCCIA as evidence.
Several Arrests Made in Illegal SIM Selling Operations
- One Customer Service Representative (CSR) was arrested during the operations in Shahkot and Haveli Lakha.
- In Yazman, three individuals, including the franchise owner and manager/supervisor, were taken into custody for their involvement in illegal activities.
PTA reaffirmed its commitment to tackling fraudulent SIM issuance and ensuring secure telecom services nationwide.
Conclusion
The PTA’s latest updates reflect ongoing efforts to enhance digital security, prevent telecom fraud, and ensure smooth system operations for millions of users. With DIRBS scheduled to remain offline on 6–7 December 2025, citizens are advised to complete their device registrations in advance.
Meanwhile, PTA continues to warn the public against fake notifications and remains active in cracking down on illegal SIM issuance networks. Staying informed through official channels is essential to avoid misinformation and protect yourself from telecom-related scams.