Fix a Phone With One SIM Slot Registered and the Other Not in Pakistan
One SIM slot registered and the other not? PTA says file a One Slot Compliant complaint first. The maker checks the phone and no FBR duty may apply. Steps here.
If one SIM slot of your dual SIM phone shows as registered and the other does not, file a complaint on PTA's complaint portal under "One Slot Compliant / One Non-Compliant". PTA checks with the manufacturer, and if the second IMEI is confirmed as yours, it can be registered without FBR duty.
The usual sign is simple. SIM 1 works. SIM 2 loses signal, or the second IMEI shows "not registered" when you check it. We read PTA's DIRBS FAQ document, file dated 14 October 2025, on 11 October 2026. This guide follows what it says.
Why only one slot gets registered
A dual SIM phone carries two IMEIs, one per slot. PTA says every IMEI programmed in the device must be registered. An iPhone with an eSIM carries a physical IMEI and a digital one, and both count.
The FAQ says this problem is mostly seen on phones registered during the 2019 amnesty, where the owner registered only the first slot. It can also happen when a seller registered one IMEI and never mentioned the other.
Dial *#06# to see every IMEI on your phone. Then send each one by SMS to 8484, or check it on the DVS website or app. Our guide to checking an IMEI number and its PTA status shows the check step by step.
Do not pay tax first
PTA says the owner of a one slot case should not pay tax to register the second slot by default. The request goes through the complaint portal, and the manufacturer confirms that the second IMEI belongs to the same phone.
If the data matches the manufacturer's record, PTA says the unregistered IMEI is registered without FBR duty. If you pay tax for a second IMEI that was already part of your phone, you may have paid for nothing. So complain first.
| Status of the second slot | What PTA's FAQ says |
|---|---|
| Valid IMEI, not registered | File "One Slot Compliant / One Non-Compliant" complaint, maker verifies |
| GSMA invalid IMEI | No further action possible, invalid IMEIs cannot be registered |
| Reported stolen | A stolen phone cannot be registered |
| Duplicated or cloned | Different route, only pairing after maker check |
How to file the complaint
Open the PTA Complaint Management System at complaint.pta.gov.pk, register or log in, and choose the category "One Slot Compliant / One Non-Compliant". Attach proof that the second IMEI belongs to your phone.
- Dial *#06# and take a screenshot that shows both IMEIs.
- Send each IMEI to 8484 and save the replies.
- Keep the phone box, which usually prints both IMEIs.
- Keep the payment proof or PSID record of your first registration, if you have it.
- File the complaint under the one slot category and note the complaint number.
- Wait for the manufacturer check, then test the second SIM again.
The FAQ does not say how many days the manufacturer check takes. Do not file twice. A second complaint can slow things down.
One condition that can block the second IMEI
PTA says the second IMEI may be registered if the applicant did not declare a different second IMEI during the original registration. If you declared another number back then, the case may need more checking. Explain this honestly in the complaint.
The FAQ also warns about dual IMEIs that belong to different models. PTA audits these. If IMEIs of different models are registered under one application, they are treated as fraudulent activity and can be removed and blocked. That is why a used phone needs a full check before you pay. Our used iPhone buying checklist covers the shop side.
If PTA does not reply
PTA's advice is to lodge the complaint with proof and send a reminder on the same portal. You can also call the toll free helpline, 0800-55055, listed on PTA's website. Keep your complaint number ready.
If the phone has already been blocked after the 60 day window for a new device, the case is a blocked device problem and the complaint should say so. Our guide to complaining to PTA explains how to write one that gets answered.
What a buyer should do before paying
Check both IMEIs on DVS before you hand over money. Make sure the model name on DVS matches the phone. If one slot shows registered and the other does not, either walk away or ask the seller to fix it first.
Common questions
Do I have to pay tax for the second slot?
Not at the start. PTA says the case goes through the one slot complaint, and a verified second IMEI can be registered without FBR duty.
Which complaint category do I choose?
Choose "One Slot Compliant / One Non-Compliant" on PTA's Complaint Management System.
What if the second IMEI is GSMA invalid?
PTA says nothing more can be done. Invalid IMEIs cannot be registered and the device can be blocked after its first use on a Pakistani network.
Why does my iPhone show two IMEIs?
An iPhone usually has a physical SIM IMEI and an eSIM IMEI. PTA says both must be registered.
Can a stolen phone be fixed this way?
No. PTA says a phone reported stolen cannot be registered. See how to block or unblock a lost or stolen phone for that case.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked 11 October 2026. We downloaded and read PTA's DIRBS Frequently Asked Questions document, file name 2025-10-14-FAQs_updated.pdf, on pta.gov.pk. The category name, the manufacturer check, the no duty outcome, the 2019 amnesty explanation, the IMEI rules for eSIM phones and the advice to send a reminder on the same portal are all from that document. We did not file a one slot complaint ourselves, and the document gives no processing time. The helpline number comes from PTA's own press release page. PTA may change the procedure, so confirm on complaint.pta.gov.pk before you act.
About the author
Technology Journalist & Multimedia Producer
Ahmad Ali is a technology journalist and multimedia producer at Pakistan Era, joining the team in October 2026. He covers consumer technology and digital life for Pakistani readers, combining research with hands-on product testing.
