The recently launched DIRBS (Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System) by PTA is now up and running. The main purpose of this system is to block all smuggled and unregistered smartphones and feature phones in the country.

An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique number issued to every mobile phone in use today globally. This unique identification number is set at the time of a phone’s manufacturing and due to its uniqueness; no two phones in the world can have the same IMEI. Phones having more than one SIM will respectively have the same number of IMEIs, e.g. a dual SIM phone will have two IMEIs

PTA’s DIRBS defines three categories of IMEI:

1. Invalid IMEI
2. Valid IMEI
3. Compliant IMEI/PTA Approved IMEI

Invalid IMEI

The list of IMEIs for manufacturers is issued by GSMA, a global authority that represents mobile operators globally. The valid or invalid IMEI of any phone in the world can be identified by simply checking its IMEI number against GSMA’s list of approved IMEIs. If the IMEI of a phone matches with GSMA’s list then it’s a valid IMEI, otherwise the IMEI number is invalid.

Some small, home-based Chinese manufacturers use dummy numbers as their phone IMEIs. These are often made up of all zeros or alpha-numeric digits as the IMEI for their products. All such IMEIs are considered as invalid IMEI. A phone can also have an invalid IMEI if the software of the phone has been re-installed and re-coded with an invalid IMEI.

PTA Approved IMEI or Compliant IMEI

All phones imported into Pakistan through legal channels will have PTA approved IMEI numbers. For example, if Samsung is importing 10,000 phones into Pakistan per month, they will need to share the list of IMEI numbers of all the phones with PTA first and once they are registered with the PTA, they’ll be considered as PTA approved IMEI numbers.

Alternatively, any IMEI number that is both Valid and PTA approved is considered as “Compliant IMEI”. This term is used by DIRBS as well.

Valid IMEI

Now if an IMEI is Valid but not registered with PTA then it will be known as only a valid IMEI. Phones bought into the country by individuals or by a friend or family member of a Pakistani resident; will have a valid IMEI but will not be called a compliant IMEI.

To find out the IMEI number of your phone you simply need to dial *#06# from your dial pad.

A pop-up message then appears displaying the IMEI number of the phone (multiple IMEI will be listed in case of a dual SIM or multiple SIM phone).

The details of the IMEI or PTA approved (compliant) IMEIs can be found by following methods:

Check through Web:

Visit the website: http://dirbs.pta.gov.pk/

Enter your 15 Digit IMEI number in the “check your status” search box.

Next, click the reCAPTCHA option to prove you’re not a robot.

Press the green ‘Check Up!’ button

The status of your IMEI will be displayed on the resulting screen

Check through SMS:

Write a new SMS message

Type in your 15 digit IMEI

Now send it to 8484

Check with DIRBS Android application:

Download the official DIRBS Android app from the URL: “https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pk.gov.dirbs.dvspublic”

Install the DIRBS android app on your smartphone

Open the app and enter your 15 digit IMEI number and the IMEI status is displayed.

Validating an IMEI with DIRBS

Users with Phones, having Invalid IMEIs will receive a SMS from the DIRBS system directing them to pair their phone with the SIM that they want to use with that particular phone. After a certain deadline (mentioned in the SMS from DIRBS), the phone shall be blocked and will not accept any new SIM card.

Once paired with a SIM, phones with an Invalid IMEI can only be used with these particular SIMs till the end of life of the phone.

With DIRBS in place, mobile users should always make sure to check the IMEI of the phone at the time of purchasing.

Benefits of DIRBS

If implemented correctly, DIRBS will surely have many benefits for all mobile users of Pakistan. Most importantly, phone snatchers won’t be able to re-sell your phone anymore, since you will easily be able to get them blocked via your registered IMEI.

Unscrupulous sellers who sell you a refurbished phone for the price of a new one will be discouraged. The availability of 100% legal devices will be ensured. These will naturally come with better quality, after sales services and warranty.