The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced a new SIM retention facility to prevent Pakistani mobile numbers from being blocked during extended stays abroad, offering relief to millions of overseas Pakistanis who rely on uninterrupted connectivity with home.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, the PTA announced that overseas Pakistanis can now retain their Pakistani SIM cards while living or working outside the country. Under this facility, expatriates are required to contact their respective mobile network operators to activate the SIM retention service, ensuring continuity of mobile services and avoiding automatic blocking due to inactivity.
The authority stated that the initiative aims to support overseas Pakistanis by maintaining access to essential communication services, including banking alerts, official verifications, and contact with family members.
“This facility reflects PTA’s commitment to empowering overseas Pakistanis and strengthening Pakistan’s digital connectivity at the global level,” the statement said.
The move follows PTA’s recent warning that all SIM cards must be registered in the name of the actual user. Last month, the regulator reiterated that using SIMs registered under another person’s name is a violation of telecom regulations and may result in legal action.
PTA clarified that the registered subscriber remains fully responsible for any misuse of the SIM, emphasizing the importance of responsible and lawful usage.
With millions of Pakistanis residing abroad for employment and education, SIM blocking due to prolonged inactivity had become a recurring concern. The new retention facility ensures overseas citizens can maintain digital access to Pakistan without disruptions, particularly for services linked to CNICs, banking, and government platforms.
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