The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced to launch Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS) in Azad Jammu (AJK) and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
According to the details, PTA has decided to lunch DIRBS in GB and AJK. It will roll out from 1st September 2023 and arrangements in this regard have been completed.
According to PTA officials, the objective behind the implementation of this system in AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan is to curb the utilization of illicit and pilfered mobile phones. The populace has been notified of their device status via text messages.
In response to inquiries, a PTA spokesperson mentioned, “The launch of DIRBS has occurred, and the ongoing procedure of device pairing is in progress. Beginning September 1st, phone registration will only be possible after payment of FBR tax. All existing devices will be matched with their respective numbers, followed by the initiation of the registration process.”
PTA authorities further stated that the implementation of the DIRBS system in AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan gained approval from the AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan Council, subsequently prompting the federal government’s decision to adopt it.
The prevalence of illicitly acquired and stolen mobile phones has been significant in AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. A considerable portion of residents from Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan were accustomed to using SCO SIM cards in unregistered mobile devices. In light of this, a decision has been made to integrate SCO into the DIRBS system, and authorization has been granted by the Federal Cabinet.
