PTA Mobile Registration to Be Temporarily Suspended Amid FBR Maintenance; Possible Tax Implications?

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that its Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) will undergo a planned service interruption this weekend due to maintenance work scheduled by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

The system will be offline from 10:00 PM on Saturday, 6 December, and is expected to resume operations by the evening of Sunday, 7 December 2025. During this period, users will be unable to register new handsets or access related services. Authorities have advised individuals intending to register imported or SIM-based devices to complete the process before the maintenance window.

DIRBS, jointly operated by PTA and FBR, helps curb illegal handset imports, ensure duty compliance, and verify devices on local networks. While the pause is officially for system maintenance, some industry observers speculate whether it could signal upcoming changes in mobile duties or taxes.

PTA has requested public cooperation during the upgrade, assuring that services will resume once the maintenance cycle concludes. Users are encouraged to stay informed about any further announcements from both PTA and FBR regarding potential impacts on mobile registration fees or duties.

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