Telecom companies in Pakistan often give away free SIM cards, which leads to a surplus of SIMs that are never utilized. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has taken notice of this long-standing problem and has proposed a mechanism to address it. For those who do not use or activate their SIM cards within six months, the PTA has announced a fine of Rs 200.
Mobile phone providers in Pakistan, Gilgit Baltistan (GB), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) will be able to impose a “SIM Disowning Charge” of up to Rs200 on SIM cards that aren’t used for more than six months as of January 1, 2024.
By encouraging responsible SIM card ownership and reducing the number of dormant SIM cards in circulation, this project seeks to streamline Pakistan’s telecom sector and promote resource efficiency. In order to avoid penalties, it also acts as a reminder for people to activate and use their SIM cards within the allotted time.
