By Updated: Nov 5, 2026
Quick verdict
Asaan jawab: *#06# se IMEI nikalein, dirbs.pta.gov.pk ya *8484# par apply karein, PSID 7 din mein pay karein, phir IMEI 8484 par SMS kar ke status check karein. (Simple answer: get the IMEI, apply on DIRBS or *8484#, pay the PSID within 7 days, then check status on 8484.)
Disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate or shop links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not change our picks.
Not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, duties and plan prices change often. Always confirm with the official source (PTA/DIRBS and FBR in Pakistan, DoT/Sanchar Saathi and TRAI in India) and with your operator before you pay.
Yeh guide Roman Urdu aur English dono mein hai, taake har koi asaani se samajh sake. (This guide is in both Roman Urdu and English.)
Step 1: IMEI number kaise nikale
Phone mein *#06# dial karein. Dual-SIM phone mein do IMEI hon ge; dono note karein. (Dial *#06#; note both IMEIs on a dual-SIM phone.) More: how to check IMEI.
Step 2: Apply karein
| Tareeqa (method) | Kaise (how) |
|---|---|
| DIRBS website | dirbs.pta.gov.pk par account bana kar apply karein |
| USSD | *8484# dial karein aur steps follow karein |
| Franchise / customer centre | Operator ke centre par CNIC ya passport le kar jayein |
Step 3: Passport ya CNIC?
Bahar se aaye hain to 60 din ke andar passport par register karein; yeh CNIC se sasta hai (published figures ke mutabiq). (Travellers: use the passport route within 60 days; it's cheaper.) See the 60-day rule.
Step 4: PSID pay karein
PSID 7 din ke liye valid hota hai. Bank, mobile banking ya listed channels se pay karein. (The PSID is valid for 7 days.) Sales tax qiston mein bhi de sakte hain (CGO 06 of 2026): PTA tax in instalments.
Step 5: Status check
IMEI ko 8484 par SMS karein. 'Compliant' aaye to kaam ho gaya. (SMS the IMEI to 8484; 'compliant' means done.)
Tax kitna hoga?
Exact amount PSID par aata hai. Andaza lagane ke liye: PTA tax check karne ka tarika.
| C&F value (US$) | Regulatory duty | Sales tax | Income tax s.148 (filer, CNIC) | Mobile handset levy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 30 | Rs 240 | 18% | Rs 100 | Rs 100 |
| 30 to 100 | Rs 2,400 | 18% | Rs 100 | Rs 200 |
| 100 to 200 | Rs 6,000 | 18% | Rs 100 | Rs 200 |
| 200 to 350 | Rs 8,800 | 18% | Rs 970 | Rs 1,800 |
| 350 to 500 | Rs 12,000 | 18% | Rs 5,000 | Rs 4,000 |
| Above 500 | Rs 17,600 | 25% (of the whole value) | Rs 11,500 | Rs 8,000 (US$501-700), Rs 16,000 (above US$701) |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying an agent who promises to "unblock" a phone without official registration. Only official channels can register a device.
- Ignoring deadlines. A missed deadline usually means the phone stops working on local networks.
- Not checking both IMEIs on dual-SIM phones.
- Keeping no record. Save your payment slip, receipt and IMEI screenshots.
Where to get official help
In Pakistan, use the PTA DIRBS portal and FBR's mobile device pages. In India, use the Department of Telecommunications' Sanchar Saathi portal and its helplines. Social media posts and YouTube videos are often out of date, so check the date on any guide you follow, including this one.
Keep a paper trail
For anything involving registration, tax or a blocked device, records protect you. Keep the purchase bill with the IMEI printed on it, the box (which also shows the IMEI), screenshots of any application or request ID, and payment receipts. If something goes wrong later, for example a payment that isn't reflected or a dispute over ownership, these documents are what officials and operators ask for. Store copies in cloud storage so you still have them if the phone is lost.
Use official channels only
Registration, blocking and unblocking go through official portals, operator centres or the authority's own apps. Agents who promise a cheaper or faster route outside these channels may be offering IMEI tampering or other illegal fixes, which can lead to the device being blocked again and, in some countries, penalties. If a website asks for payment, check that it's the official domain before entering any details, and never share one-time codes with anyone who calls you.
Rules change: how to stay current
Telecom and tax rules are revised often, usually with each budget or a new regulatory order. Before acting on any guide, including this one, check the date on the official page and look for recent news from established outlets. If the official page and a news report disagree, follow the official page. We note the dates of our sources so you can judge how fresh the information is.
Other questions we often get
Does a factory reset change the IMEI? No. The IMEI is tied to the hardware, and changing it is illegal in many countries. Does a Wi-Fi-only device need registration? Rules are about devices used on mobile networks; check the authority's FAQ for your case. Can a shop do it for me? Operator centres can help with official processes, but you remain responsible for the details submitted in your name.
Where our figures come from
We compile prices from operator pages where they load, and from established listing sites where they don't. When two sources disagree, we show both rather than pick one. We don't receive anything from operators for listing their packages. If you spot a price that has changed, the operator app is the authority, and we update our guides when we re-check the sources.
Why we don't pick on one spec
Shop listings often push one big number, such as a 108MP camera or a huge battery. In practice, a balanced phone with a decent chip, enough storage, a bright screen and a battery that charges in reasonable time is a better daily companion. We compare the specs that the cited sources list, and we don't claim to have tested these phones ourselves.
Questions to ask the shop
- Is this the official-warranty version, and for how long?
- Is the box sealed, and do the IMEIs on the box match the phone?
- What's the return or exchange policy if the phone has a fault?
- Does the price include a charger in the box?
- Is the bill in my name, with the IMEI printed?
Pros and cons
Pros
- Online process
- Multiple payment options
- Instalments available
Cons
- Tax on expensive phones is high
- Exact amount only at PSID
- Rules change yearly
FAQ
PTA register karne mein kitna time lagta hai?
Payment ke baad status 8484 par check karein; restart zaroori ho sakta hai.
Kya bina tax ke register ho sakta hai?
Nahi, official tareeqa sirf DIRBS hai.
PSID kitne din valid hai?
7 din.
Kya ye legal advice hai?
Nahi. Official source DIRBS aur FBR hain.
How we researched this
This guide is research-based. We did not test these phones in hand. Prices and plan details come from the retailer listings, operator information and official pages named in the sources list, checked or published on the dates shown. Prices in Pakistan and India change with stock, exchange rates and promotions, so treat every number as a dated snapshot and re-check on the day you buy.
Sources
- PTA DIRBS: FAQs
- FBR: Mobile Devices Regularization (DIRBS)
- MobileMarket.pk: PTA tax on mobile phones 2026-27 (cites FBR S.R.O. 1064(I)/2026)
- Business Recorder: FBR allows sales tax on imported phones in instalments
Updated: Nov 5, 2026. Sources were checked on Nov 5, 2026.