News Report · PTA policy announced 7 August 2026, effective mid-August
PTA has finalised its eSIM charging rules: the initial issuance fee is capped at Rs 1,500, and subscribers can transfer an eSIM between compatible handsets free of charge up to 10 times. This settles the policy that was only “being finalised” when we last reported it. It came in consultation with the operators and on a parliamentary panel’s direction, and took effect by mid-August 2026. An eSIM transfer moves your own profile between your own devices. It does not change who a SIM is registered to, and it does not touch your CNIC record. The way you check the SIMs on your own CNIC at Check SIM Owner Details Pakistan is unchanged.
Key takeaways
- The maximum initial eSIM issuance fee is capped at Rs 1,500, set in consultation with the cellular mobile operators.
- Subscribers get up to 10 free transfers of an eSIM between compatible handsets.
- The revised policy was announced on 7 August 2026 and set to take effect by mid-August 2026.
- PTA said it acted on a parliamentary panel’s direction to make the technology more consumer-friendly and cut needless service-centre visits.
- Reality check: only about 8 to 12 percent of phones in use in Pakistan currently support eSIM.
- None of this changes your SIM ownership or the 8-SIM cap (5 voice + 3 data), or how you check it via 668 and cnic.sims.pk.
This closes an open item from our earlier coverage. When PTA briefed a Senate committee in July, the eSIM transfer figure was still being finalised and the fee was described as under negotiation between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500. The 7 August policy settles both.
What exactly did PTA change?
PTA, in consultation with the cellular mobile operators, rationalised the eSIM charging framework. Two numbers matter, and both are now settled rather than proposed.
| Item | New position | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum initial eSIM issuance fee | Capped at Rs 1,500 | Announced 7 Aug 2026, effective mid-August |
| Free transfers between compatible handsets | Up to 10, free of charge | Announced 7 Aug 2026, effective mid-August |
| Why it was done | Consumer affordability; fewer service-centre visits | On a parliamentary panel’s direction |
| Facial verification for SIMs | Separate matter, still not in force | Under review; see our dedicated report |
PTA also noted that under the previous mechanism, subscribers could already move an eSIM between compatible devices a limited number of times using the original QR code, without extra charges. What changed on 7 August is that the structure was formally rationalised, giving a clear cap and a clear transfer allowance instead of an operator-by-operator patchwork.
What is an eSIM, and what does “transfer” mean here?
An eSIM is a SIM built into the phone rather than a plastic card you slot in. You activate it with a QR code or an operator profile instead of inserting anything. A “transfer” in this policy means moving your own eSIM profile from one of your compatible handsets to another — for example when you change phones.
What a transfer is not
Transferring your eSIM does not change who the SIM is registered to. Your number stays yours, registered to your CNIC. It has nothing to do with the 365-day lock on disowning or transferring ownership of a newly issued SIM, and nothing to do with handing a SIM to another person. Those are separate rules, unchanged by this fee decision.
So the benefit is narrow and real: switching phones with an eSIM should now cost you nothing for up to 10 moves, and getting an eSIM in the first place should not exceed Rs 1,500.
Is there a catch?
One practical limit sits above the policy: your phone has to support eSIM at all. Reporting around the announcement put eSIM-capable handsets at roughly 8 to 12 percent of phones in use in Pakistan. For most people using older or budget devices, a cheaper eSIM does not help yet, because their phone still needs a physical SIM.
Two sensible steps before you act on the new rates:
- Confirm your phone supports eSIM and that your operator offers it on your plan. If it does not, this policy simply does not apply to you.
- Ask your operator to confirm the fee and transfer allowance in writing or in-app before you switch. A cap of Rs 1,500 is a ceiling, not a fixed price, and operators may charge less.
Does this change how you check your own SIMs?
No. Whether your SIM is an eSIM or a physical one, it is registered to a CNIC, and the way you check that is unchanged. Both official checks take about a minute, and between them you will see how many of Pakistan’s 8 permitted SIMs, 5 voice plus 3 data, sit on your name.
- SMS your CNIC to 668. Send all 13 digits with no dashes. It costs about Rs 2 and returns your SIM count per operator.
- Open cnic.sims.pk. PTA’s free portal lists the numbers with their activation dates.
- Compare against the cap. Our guide to how many SIMs are on your CNIC walks through both checks and the 8-SIM limit.
And the boundary that never moves, whatever the SIM technology: you can see your own record freely, but no service returns a stranger’s details from a number. That is an offence under the law set out on our PECA 2016 legality page. If PTA notifies any further change, it will appear in our dated PTA SIM news changelog with its source.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an eSIM cost in Pakistan now?
Under PTA’s policy announced on 7 August 2026, the maximum initial eSIM issuance fee is capped at Rs 1,500. That is a ceiling set in consultation with the operators; an operator may charge less. Confirm the exact fee with your operator before you switch.
How many times can I transfer my eSIM for free?
Up to 10 times between compatible handsets, free of charge, under the revised policy effective mid-August 2026. A transfer moves your own eSIM profile between your own devices; it does not change who the SIM is registered to.
Does the eSIM policy change my SIM ownership or the 8-SIM limit?
No. The policy is about the fee to issue an eSIM and the number of free transfers between your devices. Your SIM stays registered to your CNIC, and the 8-SIM cap (5 voice plus 3 data) is unchanged. Check your own count by SMS to 668 or at cnic.sims.pk.
Can any phone use an eSIM?
No. Only eSIM-capable handsets can, and reporting around the announcement put those at roughly 8 to 12 percent of phones in use in Pakistan. If your phone does not support eSIM, this policy does not apply to you and you will still use a physical SIM.
Sources: ProPakistani, “PTA Announces New Rates and Rules for eSIMs”, by Muhammad Bilal, 7 August 2026 (Rs 1,500 cap; up to 10 free transfers; effective mid-August; in consultation with CMOs). Business Recorder, “PTA announces new eSIM pricing policy effective mid-August 2026”. Both attribute the change to a parliamentary panel’s direction. Verified on 28 August 2026. PTA’s own channels are at pta.gov.pk; every dated rule change we track sits in the PTA SIM news changelog.
