ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) launched a new automated system on Wednesday to block lost and stolen cellphones. In the event that a person’s phone is snatched, stolen, or misplaced, they will now file a report with the PTA using the new Lost and Stolen Device System (LSDS). The phone’s IMEI number will be blocked in the first phase after receiving the complaint, and the device will be blocked within 24 hours of reporting following appropriate verification. Users must submit a request to PTA via its online Complaint Management System (CMS), which can be found at www.pta.gov.pk. Upon successful registration, the complainant will receive a complaint reference number. If the phone is found, the complaint must go through the same steps to have it unblocked. Once the phone is unlocked, the user will get an SMS to the registered number.
“At the moment, stolen, snatched, and lost mobile phones can be stopped or unblocked by dialling the PTA’s toll-free number 0800-25625, sending an email to imei@pta.gov.pk, or going to the CPLC in Karachi. These means will no longer be available for barring or unblocking phones after the new system is launched, according to the regulator.
