Nobody likes paying the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) tax, but having your phone become a glorified iPod is much worse. The good news? You no longer have to stand in long queues at the National Bank or FBR offices. The all process has been online now. Today, you can clear your phone’s tax from your living room using your smartphone and pay through banking app.
Here is the exact, step-by-step process to generate your tax slip and pay it instantly via banking apps or mobile wallets in Pakistan.
Step 1: Get Your Payment Slip ID (PSID)
Before you open your Meezan or HBL app, you need a PSID. This is a unique 17-digit number generated by the government that tells your bank exactly how much you to have to pay for your specific mobile phone.
- Find your IMEI: Open your phone’s dialer and type *#06#. Write down the two 15-digit IMEI numbers that showing on your screen.
- Log into DIRBS: Go to the official PTA DIRBS portal (dirbs.pta.gov.pk). If you are a new user, create an account using your CNIC or Passport number.
- Register the Device: Click on the “Individual Device Registration” tab. Enter your IMEI numbers and submit.
- Save the PSID: The system will immediately generate a Payment Slip ID (PSID) along with the exact tax amount.
Step 2: Pay via Standard Banking Apps (HBL, Meezan, Alfalah)
If you have a Pakistani bank account with internet banking activated, the payment process takes a minute. The system uses the FBR government payment gateways.
Here is how you do it on most major banking apps:
- Open your bank’s mobile app and log in.
- Move to the Bill Payments or Payments section.
- Look for the Government Taxes, FBR, or 1Bill option.
- Select FBR (Federal Board of Revenue).
- The app will ask for your PSID. Enter the 17-digit number you generated from the DIRBS portal.
- The screen will automatically fetch your name, phone model, and the exact tax amount. Confirm the details and tap Pay.
Step 3: How to Pay via Mobile Wallets (JazzCash, Easypaisa, SadaPay)
If you do not have a traditional bank account, mobile wallets are actually the fastest way to clear your PTA dues.
For JazzCash or Easypaisa:
- Open the app and scroll down to the Bill Payment section.
- Tap on Government Payments.
- Select FBR Tax Payment or PTA Tax.
- Punch in your PSID number.
- Verify the tax amount on the screen and enter your PIN to authorize the transaction.
Tip for SadaPay and NayaPay users: You can usually find this under the “Billers” or “Government” tab by searching for “FBR” or “1Bill Invoice”.
Passport vs. CNIC Registration
When you generate your PSID on the DIRBS portal, the system asks if you want to register via your CNIC or your Passport. This single choice tell how much you will pay.
If you or a family member recently traveled to Pakistan, always use a passport. The government offers a tax relief for travelers registering a phone within 60 days of their arrival.
| Registration Method | Typical Tax Bracket | Who Should Use It |
| Passport (Within 60 Days) | Significantly lower (Rebate applied) | Recent travelers bringing a personal phone. |
| CNIC (Local Resident) | Maximum tax bracket | Buyers of non-PTA imported phones from the local market. |
What Happens After You Pay?
Do not panic if your phone network does not instantly activate the second money leaves your account.
Once the payment done, the banking system sends a clearance message back to the FBR and PTA. This sync can take anywhere from a few hours to a maximum of 48 hours. Keep your Jazz, Zong, Ufone, or Telenor SIM inside the phone and restart the device if required. Once you receive the official “Device is Approved” SMS from PTA, you are fully cleared to use local networks sim.
Final Verdict: What You Should Do
Never pay a third party or a local mobile shop to do this for you. Shopkeepers often charge a hefty “service fee” of 2,000 to 5,000 PKR simply for typing your IMEI into their own Easypaisa app. By following the steps above, you can securely generate your own PSID and pay the exact FBR tax amount yourself, saving money and protecting your CNIC data from strangers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my PSID expires before I pay?
PSIDs usually have an expiration date (often 7 days). If you miss the deadline, do not worry. Simply log back into the PTA DIRBS portal, cancel the old application, and generate a fresh PSID. There are no penalties for letting a slip expire.
Can I pay my PTA tax in monthly installments?
No. As of 2026, the Federal Board of Revenue and PTA require the tax to be paid in full in a single transaction. Banking apps will not accept partial payments for a generated PSID.
Does a factory reset remove my PTA approval?
No. Once you pay the tax, your phone’s unique IMEI number is permanently whitelisted on the PTA’s national database. Factory resetting, updating your operating system, or changing your SIM card will not reverse your approved status.