PTA warning patched phone holders and their sale and usage was issued through a public notice. According to the notice, devices that are not registered through DIRBS (PTA’s Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System) may face legal action under existing law. They emphasized that the use of patched devices debilitates regulatory compliance and increases risk to national security.
The notice lays out several consequences of using unregistered phones, such as violation of PTA regulations, disruption of mobile phone network performance, threats to national security and increased vulnerability of data and privacy of users. It also elaborated on the role of these devices in facilitating financial and cyber fraud and their concerns about their increasing presence in the market.
Moreover, the notice also refers to the 2016 Prevention of Electronic Crime Act, according to which the sale, purchase and promotion of these unregistered joint venture or duplicate devices is considered a punishable offense. These devices are known as patched devices in the local market.
Additionally, the notice added that the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) and PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) are together pursuing operations against this illegal phone trade. They take actions against individuals and networks involved in distributing non-compliant devices. These actions include arrests, raids, confiscation of unregistered devices and criminal proceedings against offenders. The ultimate goal is to break down these distribution networks.
Only devices that are registered through DIRBS and have paid all taxes to FBR (Federal Board of Revenue) are considered legal for use in Pakistan. PTA has advised the citizens to avoid buying or selling patched phones and encouraged them to file a report about these activities. It added that all reports can be filed through the PTA’s official website or FIA’s online portal.
