Dual SIM PTA Registration: One SIM Approved, the Other Not
A dual SIM phone has two IMEIs, one for each SIM slot or eSIM, and DIRBS treats each IMEI separately. 'Dual SIM PTA approved' means both IMEIs are registered, so both slots work. 'Single SIM PTA approved' means only one IMEI is registered, so only that slot works with a Pakistani SIM. The DIRBS FAQs say all IMEIs in a device should be registered, and there is a set complaint route if one slot was left out.
Updated 24 October 2026
Dual SIM PTA approved meaning
Every SIM slot on a phone has its own IMEI. Dial *#06# and a dual SIM phone shows two. On iPhones, one is for the physical SIM and one for the eSIM (Apple calls it the digital IMEI).
PTA's DIRBS system checks each IMEI separately: - Dual SIM PTA approved: both IMEIs are registered, so a Pakistani SIM works in either slot - Single SIM PTA approved: one IMEI is registered and the other is not, so only one slot works permanently
In Urdu, dual SIM PTA approved ka matlab hai ke dono SIM slots PTA mein register hain aur dono mein local SIM chalegi. Send each IMEI to 8484 to see which slots are registered. Our how to check PTA status guide (How to Check PTA Status of Any Mobile Phone) explains the replies.
Do I have to register all IMEIs of a single device?
Yes. The DIRBS FAQs say it is mandatory to register all IMEIs programmed in a device, and they give Apple's physical and digital IMEIs as an example. They also ask users to check both IMEIs on a dual SIM or eSIM phone.
In a normal DIRBS application, you enter every IMEI of the phone in one go, on the DRS portal or with *8484#, and pay the PSID the system generates. The DIRBS FAQs say every registered device is subject to the relevant FBR duties. PTA has also added a Multi-SIM Verification check that validates dual IMEIs with the manufacturer, so both IMEIs must genuinely belong to the same phone.
See how to register a mobile with PTA (How to Register Your Mobile with PTA (DIRBS Guide)) for the full steps.
One SIM PTA approved, the other not: why it happens
This situation is common for a few reasons: - Older registrations, especially before PTA's multi-SIM checks, where only one IMEI was entered - A phone registered by an owner who typed only the first IMEI - iPhones where the physical SIM IMEI was registered but the eSIM IMEI was not - Phones sold cheaper in the market as 'single SIM approved'
The working slot is fine for daily use. The unregistered slot behaves like a Non PTA phone: a SIM in it works only during its 60-day period, then stops. That is why people search 'dual sim PTA tax' and wonder whether they must pay twice. The answer depends on why the slot was left out, which the next section explains.
How to register the second SIM slot IMEI
The DIRBS FAQs describe a 'One Slot Compliant / One Non-compliant' complaint category for exactly this case: - Get both IMEIs with *#06# and confirm on 8484 which one is not registered - File a complaint on PTA's Complaint Management System (complaint.pta.gov.pk) under the One Slot Compliant / One Non-compliant category, with proof such as the box and the first registration - PTA verifies the IMEI with the manufacturer to make sure it belongs to the same phone - If the data matches, the FAQs say the second IMEI can be registered without FBR duty
PTA says such complaints are resolved within 7 working days, and you can send a reminder through the portal if you hear nothing. If the second IMEI is invalid on GSMA records, or reported stolen, it cannot be registered.
Single SIM PTA approved iPhone meaning
In the iPhone market, 'single SIM PTA approved' usually means the physical SIM IMEI is registered and the eSIM IMEI is not. In practice: - A physical Pakistani SIM works permanently - A Pakistani eSIM will work only for its first 60 days, then stop - You cannot use two Pakistani numbers at once for long
For most people who use one SIM, this is fine, and such iPhones often cost less than fully approved ones. If you want dual SIM later, try the One Slot complaint route above first. Our iPhone JV vs PTA vs Non PTA guide (iPhone JV vs PTA vs Non PTA: What Each Term Really Means) explains the other labels.
Dual SIM adapter for a Non PTA iPhone: the risk
Some shops sell a 'dual SIM adapter' or chip that claims to add a second working SIM to an iPhone. Be honest with yourself about what it is: an add-on that sits between the SIM and the phone, similar to the JV chips used on carrier-locked iPhones. It does not register any IMEI with PTA, so it does not make a Non PTA slot legal.
Common problems include dropped calls, no 5G, SIM errors after iOS updates and damage to the SIM tray. PTA has warned against tampered and patched phones. We do not recommend these adapters. The legal routes are registration through DIRBS or Wi-Fi only use, see how to use a Non PTA phone in Pakistan (How to Use a Non PTA Phone in Pakistan, Legally).
Buying a dual SIM phone: what to check
Before you buy any phone described as PTA approved: - Dial *#06# and note every IMEI - Send each one to 8484, not just the first - Ask the seller in writing whether it is dual SIM or single SIM approved - For iPhones, ask which slot is registered, physical or eSIM
Our phones are factory unlocked with original IMEIs. Android phones are Non Custom box pack and PTA Patch Approved, and iPhones are Non PTA, so when you register through DIRBS you can enter every IMEI in one application.
