PTA Announces New eSIM Rates and Transfer Rules in Pakistan

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has finalised a new pricing and transfer policy for eSIM services across the country. The revised rules cap the initial eSIM issuance fee at Rs1,500 and allow subscribers to move their eSIM between phones up to 10 times free of cost.

According to a report by Business Recorder, the authority worked with Cellular Mobile Operators to bring these charges under one uniform structure. The new framework is expected to become operational by the middle of August 2026.

Until now, mobile operators in Pakistan followed different rules for eSIM issuance and transfers. Some companies charged as much as Rs2,000 for a new eSIM, while transfer policies also varied from one operator to another.

The changes come after a parliamentary panel raised concerns over inconsistent eSIM practices and directed PTA to bring in reforms. The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, headed by Senator Rana Mahmood Ul Hassan, had taken up the matter during a meeting last month.

PTA Chairman Major General (Retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman had earlier briefed the committee that talks were underway with telecom companies to bring down eSIM prices from Rs2,000 to somewhere between Rs1,000 and Rs1,500. He said more people using eSIMs would eventually help push prices down further.

Under the new arrangement, a customer will be able to shift their eSIM from an old phone to a new one up to 10 times using the same QR code, without any extra charges. This will make it easier for people who frequently change or upgrade their phones.

The regulator said the goal is to reduce the number of visits customers currently have to make to service centres just to get their eSIM transferred. A secure digital process is also being worked on so this can be done without visiting a franchise in person.

PTA also told the committee that it is working with NADRA and mobile companies on a multi-factor verification system for subscribers. This is meant to add another layer of security to the eSIM issuance and transfer process.

The PTA chairman had clarified during the briefing that the regulator has no authority over mobile phone taxes, as that responsibility lies with the Federal Board of Revenue.

As of now, telecom companies have not issued their own detailed procedures on how the new transfer limit will work in practice. Users are advised to check with their respective mobile operator before deleting an active eSIM profile from an old device, since the operator-level rollout details have not been officially confirmed yet.

The committee also reviewed other telecom matters during the same meeting, including the pace of 5G rollout in the country. PTA officials said 499 sites offering 5G services have been set up so far, with visible coverage expected in major cities by the end of this year.