The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has announced the introduction of a new automated system to block “missing, stolen, and snatched cell phones.”
According to the PTA, users can submit an application via the Lost & Stolen Device System (LSDS) to have their cell phones’ International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) blocked within 24 hours of the complaint being registered “after necessary verification.”
The PTA wrote on Twitter that requests to block IMEIs should be made in order to avoid “potential abuse” of mobile phones. “Upon effective registration of a blocking request, the plaintiff will obtain a complaint reference number,” it added.
In addition, if the phone is retrieved, the same protocol must be followed. “Mention their complaint reference number, as well as other mandatory details that were given to them earlier for blocking of mobile phone,” the users should say.
“Once the mobile phone is unblocked, the user will receive a SMS on the registered number,” it said.
