How to Check PTA Approved Phone in Pakistan – Complete DIRBS IMEI Verification Guide 2026

Step 1:  Dial*#06# to get IMEICheck box stickerand SIM tray matchStep 2dirbs.pta.gov.pkEnter 15-digit IMEINo spaces or dashesClick VerifyStep 3 — Read resultCOMPLIANT – BuyNON-COMPLIANTBLOCKED – WalkCheckBeforeYou Pay2 min · Free · No exceptions

Why This Check Is Non-Negotiable?

Pakistan’s PTA blocks unregistered mobile devices. If you buy a used phone without verifying its IMEI at dirbs.pta.gov.pk, you risk losing SIM access within 60 days — even on a phone that worked fine at the meetup. The seller will be long gone. You will have an expensive Wi-Fi device.

This check is free, takes under 2 minutes, and must happen before money changes hands — at Hafeez Centre Lahore, Saddar Karachi, or any OLX meetup. There are no exceptions. Not for iPhones. Not for phones in box. Not from trusted contacts.

• Step 1 — Get the IMEI

• Step 2 — Run the DIRBS Check

Open dirbs.pta.gov.pk on any device with internet. Enter the 15-digit IMEI — no spaces, no dashes. Hit Verify. Results appear in seconds.

• Step 3 — Read the Result

COMPLIANTSafe to buyRegistered with PTA.SIM works on allPakistani networks.No future block risk.NON-COMPLIANTVerify 60-day statusDetected but notregistered. Could bein grace period orabout to be blocked.Ask when SIM inserted.NOT FOUNDContext mattersNever on PK network.OK for new sealedimports. Red flag ifclearly used for months.BLOCKEDWalk away immediatelyBarred by PTA. NoSIM will ever work.Cannot be unblocked.Worth nothing asa phone.

Dual-IMEI Phones — Check Both

iPhones (SE through 16 series) and many Samsung Galaxy models carry two IMEI numbers. Dial *#06# — both appear on screen. Run the DIRBS check twice, once for each IMEI. It is possible for IMEI 1 to be Compliant while IMEI 2 shows a different status. Both must be Compliant.

On iPhones, both IMEIs also appear at Settings → General → About if the dialler code is unclear on a specific model.

The 60-Day Grace Period

4G Band Compatibility for Non-PTA Phones

If you are considering a non-PTA phone, verify its 4G bands match Pakistani carriers before anything else. Many China-variant phones skip Band 28 (700 MHz) — the band responsible for indoor and rural 4G coverage on Jazz and Telenor. The phone shows four bars outdoors and drops to 2G the moment you enter a building.

Complete Pre-Purchase Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I check PTA status without a SIM in the phone?

Yes. Dial *#06# with no SIM inserted to get the IMEI. Then check that IMEI at dirbs.pta.gov.pk from any connected device. No SIM required in the phone being inspected at any stage.

• Can a Blocked phone ever be unblocked?

No, not through any standard consumer process. Treat Blocked as permanently unusable on Pakistani networks. Do not buy it at any price.

• What does Compliant actually mean for the buyer?

Compliant means the device is registered with PTA and can use Pakistani SIM cards without any restriction. Registration follows the device — not the original buyer — so a Compliant used phone transfers cleanly. You do not need to re-register it in your name for it to work, though you can initiate a transfer through PTA’s official process if you prefer the record to be in your CNIC.

• Is Not Found always a problem?

Not Found on a sealed, clearly new imported phone is normal — it has never had a Pakistani SIM inserted. Not Found on a phone that has visibly been in use for months is a serious concern. The IMEI may have been tampered with. Do not buy a used phone showing Not Found unless you have a clear, verifiable explanation.