The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has taken aggressive action against illegal mobile handsets. In its annual report released today, the authority revealed that it blocked nearly 100 million mobile devices during the financial year 2024–25.
This massive crackdown targets counterfeit, cloned, and stolen devices. The PTA utilised its Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) to execute these blocks. Consequently, the authority has significantly formalised the mobile device market and enhanced consumer protection.
Breakdown of Blocked Devices by PTA
The PTA’s report provides detailed statistics on the types of devices removed from the network. The majority of these were fake or replica handsets.
| Device Category | Number of Devices Blocked |
| Fake or Replica Devices | 72 Million |
| Duplicated or Cloned IMEIs | 27 Million |
| Lost or Stolen Handsets | 868,000 |
DIRBS & Local Manufacturing Success
The PTA attributes this success to the Mobile Device Management (MDM) ecosystem. Specifically, the MDM Regulations, 2021, have played a transformative role. These regulations enabled the localisation of mobile assembly in Pakistan.
As a result, the local ecosystem has expanded rapidly. By 2025, over 95% of mobile devices used on Pakistani networks were manufactured locally. Furthermore, 68% of these locally made devices are smartphones. The PTA describes this as a major shift toward import substitution and industrial self-reliance.
Currently, 36 companies hold manufacturing authorisations. This list includes major international players like Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo.
Economic Impact & Revenue
Beyond security, the crackdown has boosted government revenues. Since 2019, the national exchequer has collected over Rs. 83 billion through individual-category mobile device registrations.
The PTA states that this reinforced local manufacturing base improves economic resilience. Pakistan is now positioned as a potential participant in the regional mobile phone value chain. Continued enforcement through DIRBS ensures a secure, transparent, and self-sustaining digital ecosystem for the future.
