Pakistan blocked nearly 10 crore mobile devices during the financial year 2024–25, according to the latest annual report issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The move was part of the government’s effort to control illegal mobile phones and protect mobile users across the country.
The report shows that 8.68 lakh phones were blocked because they were reported lost or stolen. In addition, 7.2 crore fake or replica devices were stopped from working on local networks. Another 2.7 crore mobile phones were blocked due to cloned IMEI numbers, which are often used in illegally imported or counterfeit devices.
PTA credited its Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) for these actions. DIRBS helps identify illegal phones and prevents them from connecting to mobile networks.
According to PTA, this system has helped reduce the use of counterfeit devices, improve consumer safety, and bring more transparency to the mobile market. It has also helped increase government revenue by encouraging legal imports and local production.
A major highlight of the report is the growth of local mobile phone manufacturing. PTA revealed that more than 95 percent of mobile devices used in Pakistan are now locally manufactured or assembled. During the year, 36 production authorizations were issued to different companies.
Officials say this shift towards local manufacturing supports economic stability, creates jobs, and reduces dependence on imports. Overall, the report shows strong progress in regulating the mobile market and promoting legal, safe, and affordable mobile device use in Pakistan.
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