The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced a temporary suspension of its mobile device registration service this weekend, citing planned system maintenance by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The disruption will affect the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS), which handles verification and registration of mobile devices entering Pakistan.
According to the notice, the outage will begin at 10:00 PM on Saturday, 6 December, and is expected to continue until Sunday evening, 7 December 2025. During this period, users will be unable to register new mobile phones or access related services through DIRBS.
The temporary shutdown is part of backend system upgrades being executed by the FBR. These updates are designed to improve system performance, enhance integration between government databases, and provide more reliable service to users once fully restored.
PTA has advised individuals who urgently need to register their devices to complete the process before the start of maintenance. This precautionary guidance aims to help users avoid potential delays, especially in cases involving newly purchased devices or phones brought from overseas.
Mobile phone registration has become a critical requirement in Pakistan following the implementation of DIRBS in 2018. The system was introduced to curb the influx of smuggled and counterfeit devices, prevent misuse, and ensure that only legally imported phones can access local mobile networks.
Over the years, DIRBS has played a central role in formalising the mobile market, generating revenue, and reducing illegal handset trade. Temporary disruptions such as this maintenance window underline the scale and complexity of the digital infrastructure required to maintain compliance and security standards nationwide.
PTA expressed appreciation for users’ cooperation, stating that services will become available again once maintenance is completed. The authority has also encouraged the public to stay updated through official communication channels during the scheduled downtime.
