PTA Warns of Legal Consequences for Using Fake or Modified Mobile Phones
Islamabad (Qudrat News) – The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a stern warning to mobile users across the country, stating that the use of counterfeit, cloned, or illegally modified mobile phones is a serious offense under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. The PTA further clarified that violators could face severe penalties, including fines of up to PKR 1 million, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
In an official public advisory, the PTA emphasized that individuals found using mobile phones with tampered or “patched” IMEI numbers (a unique identifier for each mobile device) could face legal consequences. These phones, altered through fraudulent means, will be subject to confiscation by authorities, with joint operations carried out by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and PTA.
The issue stems from tampering with the IMEI number, a process used by some individuals to alter the phone’s identity and evade registration and legal procedures. The PTA further clarified that even if a consumer unknowingly purchases an illegal or tampered phone, their ignorance will not absolve them from the law.
To combat this issue, the PTA has implemented the Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS), which ensures that only legally imported and registered mobile devices are allowed to operate on Pakistani networks.
The PTA has urged consumers to verify the status of a mobile phone before making a purchase and report any suspicious activity to help protect consumer rights and maintain the integrity of Pakistan’s telecommunications system.
