In Pakistan, mobile tracking is a ubiquitous topic. People want to trace lost phones, monitor their children’s location, and protect themselves from fraud. Without accurate information, it is easy to fall into scams or illegal tracking practices.

What Is Mobile Tracking?

Mobile tracking means tracing a phone’s location, IMEI, SIM usage, or call/SMS activity.

In Pakistan, this is mainly done by:

• Mobile networks (Jazz, Zong, Telenor, Ufone)
• Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)
• Law enforcement and investigation agencies

Ordinary users do not get direct live tracking access. They only have limited tools for their own devices, like “Find My Device” or blocking a stolen phone.

Main Types of Mobile Tracking in Pakistan

1. IMEI‑Based Tracking and Blocking

Every mobile phone has a unique IMEI number, which you can see by dialing *#06#.

PTA runs the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) to verify and manage IMEI numbers. Through DIRBS and related systems:

• Devices can be checked to see if they are PTA‑approved or not.
• Lost or stolen phones can have their IMEI blocked.
• Illegal or smuggled phones can be disabled from using Pakistani networks.

2. SIM and Network‑Based Location Tracking

Mobile networks can estimate a phone’s location using cell towers (cell-tower-based location).

• Law‑enforcement agencies can, under proper legal process, obtain Call Detail Records (CDRs) and tower‑based location data for investigations.
• Ordinary users cannot legally request this real‑time or historical location data for someone else’s number.

3. App‑Based Location Tracking

Smartphones also support location tracking via:

• Google Find My Device (Android)
• Apple Find My iPhone (iOS)

These use GPS and the internet to show the device’s current or last known location, but only when:

• The phone is on.
• Mobile data or Wi‑Fi is enabled.
• Location services are turned on.

These tools are meant for personal use (for your own phones or family devices with consent).

How to Track or Secure a Lost Mobile in Pakistan (Legally)

If your phone is lost or snatched, use these steps:

1. Save Your IMEI

Before anything happens, always:

• Dial *#06# and save a screenshot of your IMEI.
• Store it in a safe place (cloud drive, email, or another device).

2. Block the IMEI Through PTA

PTA provides an online Lost & Stolen Device System (LSDS) through its complaint portal.

Typical process:

• Submit an online complaint with your IMEI, contact number, CNIC, city, and incident details.
• PTA verifies your request and blocks the device’s IMEI, usually within a short time window.
• Once blocked, the phone cannot be used on Pakistani networks, which reduces the risk of misuse.
• If the phone is recovered, you can request unblocking through the same system.

3. Inform CPLC (Especially in Karachi/Sindh)

In Karachi and parts of Sindh, the Citizens‑Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) maintains a database of stolen mobiles and supports recovery efforts.

• You can register a complaint with IMEI and incident details.
• They coordinate with police and other agencies for tracking and recovery when possible.

4. Use Google / Apple Tracking

For smartphones:

• Log in to Google Find My Device (Android) or iCloud Find My iPhone (Apple) in a browser.
• Check the last known location if available.
• You can remotely ring, lock, or erase the phone.

All of these methods are legal and intended to protect your own device.

Is It Legal to Track Someone Else’s Phone in Pakistan?

This is where many people cross the line.

Trying to secretly track someone’s location, monitor a partner’s phone, or spy on another person’s device without permission can be a violation of privacy and the law.

Key points:

• The Constitution of Pakistan protects the privacy and dignity of individuals.
• Courts in Pakistan have held that accessing or analyzing phone data, including CDRs, without proper legal sanction is unlawful.
• Law‑enforcement agencies can request interception, CDRs, and location data, but only through defined legal frameworks and approvals.

In short, tracking your own phone is fine with legitimate tools; monitoring someone else’s phone without consent or a legal process is risky and potentially illegal.

Fake “Mobile Tracker” Websites and Apps

If you search terms like “track any mobile number in Pakistan”, you will see many third‑party websites and apps claiming:

• “Track any number’s live location.”
• “See anyone’s calls and SMS history.”
• “Get full WhatsApp or call recording for any Pakistani number.”

Most of these services are:

• Scams designed to steal your IMEI, phone number, CNIC, or money.
• Completely unrelated to any official Pakistani telecom or PTA system.
• Technically and legally unreliable.

Safe practice:

• Do not enter your IMEI or CNIC into unknown “online IMEI tracker” websites.
• Do not pay random individuals or websites that promise live tracking of “any Pakistani number”.
• Rely only on official systems (PTA, your network, known OS features).

PTA, DIRBS, and Tracking – Common Confusions

Many people assume that if a device is visible in DIRBS, they can track it.

In reality:

• DIRBS exists to verify and regulate devices, not to provide live tracking to the public.
• It allows checking whether a phone is compliant and registered.
• It supports blocking/unblocking IMEIs for lost or stolen devices via official channels.

Live or historical location tracking, call logs, and similar data are handled separately by networks and agencies, not by public‑facing PTA tools.

Mobile Tracking, CDR, and Court Permissions

Law‑enforcement agencies sometimes use:

• Call Detail Records (CDRs)
• Tower‑based location data
• Other digital traces

To analyze suspects’ movements and networks in criminal investigations.

However:

• Accessing this data is supposed to go through a formal legal process (FIRs, approvals, or warrants, depending on the case).
• Courts have criticised and restricted “informal” or warrantless use of phone data analysis.

For ordinary citizens, this means you cannot simply ask a network or agency for another person’s CDR or location; such data is protected.

Practical Safety Tips for Pakistani Users (2026)

1. Always Save IMEI and Serial Numbers
2. Keep IMEI and important device details stored safely for quick action if the phone is lost.
3. Buy PTA‑Approved Devices Only
4. Always check IMEI status before purchasing, especially for imported or second‑hand phones, to avoid future blocking issues.
5. Keep Find‑My‑Device Features Enabled
6. Make sure Google or Apple’s device‑finding features are turned on and linked to a verified account.
7. Avoid Suspicious Tracking Websites and Apps
8. Any service that offers full tracking of “any number” without legal steps is almost certainly unsafe.
9. Respect Privacy and Law
10. Using tracking tools to monitor family members or employees should be transparent, consensual, and within legal boundaries, not secretive spying.

FAQ

Conclusion

Mobile tracking in Pakistan is tightly connected to regulation, security, and privacy. You can and should protect your own devices using PTA systems, official IMEI blocking, and built‑in tracking tools. Trying to track other people’s phones through shortcuts, shady websites, or “secret services” is both unsafe and potentially illegal.