Tools
PTA status check: is this phone PTA approved?
Find the IMEI, make sure it is valid, then check it on PTA's official service. Steps checked 21 October 2026.
Enter the IMEI to check its format before you check it with PTA.
We do not look up PTA status ourselves and we don't store the IMEI. The check happens on PTA's own service.
How to check PTA status in 3 steps
- Find the IMEI: dial *#06#. It should match the IMEI on the box and in Settings. Dual-SIM phones show two IMEIs.
- Check it with PTA: SMS the 15-digit IMEI to 8484, or enter it on dirbs.pta.gov.pk or in PTA's DIRBS Android app.
- Read the reply (below) and check every IMEI of the phone.
What the PTA reply means
| Reply | Meaning | Buying? |
|---|---|---|
| Compliant | PTA approved / registered, legally imported. | OK, do the other checks. |
| Valid | Genuine IMEI, but not PTA registered (non-PTA). | Only at a non-PTA price; you would need to pay PTA tax. |
| Non-compliant | IMEI not allocated by GSMA or duplicated. | Do not buy. |
| Blocked | Reported stolen, lost or misused to PTA. | Do not buy. |
If the phone is not registered or blocked
- Not registered (valid): dial *8484# or use DIRBS, enter your CNIC or passport and the IMEI, and pay the FBR duty/tax on the PSID at a bank (the PSID is valid for 7 days). See what it costs with our PTA tax calculator.
- Visiting Pakistan from abroad: DIRBS has a temporary registration option for overseas Pakistanis and foreign visitors with a Pakistani SIM. Check the current conditions and period on DIRBS before you rely on it.
- Your phone was lost or stolen: file a complaint on PTA's Complaint Management System under “Stolen Mobile Handset / IMEI Related Complaint”, with the FIR or police application number, incident details, your CNIC, the phone's brand, model and colour, last SIM numbers used and the IMEIs.
- Your recovered phone is blocked: apply for unblocking through the same PTA complaint system.
FAQ
How do I check if my phone is PTA approved?
Dial *#06# to see the IMEI, then send the IMEI by SMS to 8484, or enter it on dirbs.pta.gov.pk or the PTA DIRBS app. A dual-SIM phone has two IMEIs; check both.
What does 'valid' mean in the 8484 reply?
The IMEI is genuine (allocated by GSMA) but the phone is not PTA registered. It will be blocked on Pakistani SIMs unless it is registered and the FBR tax is paid.
What does 'non-compliant' mean?
The IMEI is not allocated by GSMA or is duplicated (fake or cloned). Do not buy such a phone.
What does 'blocked' mean?
The IMEI has been reported stolen, lost or misused to PTA. Do not buy it. If it is your own recovered phone, apply for unblocking through PTA's complaint system.
Does this page check PTA status itself?
No. It only checks that the IMEI is written correctly. The real status comes only from PTA's DIRBS, the DIRBS app or SMS 8484.