Pakistan SIM Card Directory & Comparison Guide
Compare physical SIMs vs modern eSIMs, evaluate prepaid versus postpaid tariffs, verify registered numbers on your CNIC, and protect your digital identity.
Pakistan Cellular SIM Price & Feature Matrix
Official pricing for new physical SIMs, digital eSIM conversion fees, and doorstep delivery availability.
| Operator | Physical SIM | eSIM Activation | Doorstep Delivery | Welcome Bonus | 5G Ready |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jazz | Rs. 200 - 300 | Rs. 500 (Free for Postpaid) | Available in 30+ Cities | 5 GB Data + 1,000 On-Net Mins | Ready |
| Zong 4G | Rs. 200 - 250 | Rs. 1,500 | Free Doorstep Delivery | 4 GB + 1 GB YouTube + 1,000 Mins | Ready |
| Telenor | Rs. 200 | Rs. 1,000 | Select Metro Areas | 3 GB Data + 1,000 Mins | Ready |
| Ufone 4G | Rs. 200 | Rs. 1,000 | Online & Franchise | 5 GB Internet with Super Card | Ready |
| Onic Digital | Rs. 200 (bundled with plan) | Instant Digital eSIM (Free) | 24h Express Delivery | 30 GB Data on Epic Plan | Ready |
| SCOM | Rs. 150 | N/A (Physical Only) | AJK & Gilgit-Baltistan only | Regional special tariffs | 4G Only |
Physical Nano-SIM vs Digital eSIM vs Data-Only
Choose the ideal SIM technology tailored to your smartphone and connectivity requirements.
Physical Nano-SIM
StandardBest for: Any unlocked smartphone, feature phone, or tablet
- Universally compatible with all handsets
- Easy to swap between phones
- Widely available at retailers nationwide
- Subject to physical damage/wear
- Can only hold 1 network profile per tray
Digital eSIM
ModernBest for: iPhone 11–16, Samsung S20–S25, Pixel 6–9, flagship foldables
- Multiple carrier profiles on 1 phone
- Zero physical wear or loss
- Instant QR code activation online
- Requires flagship phone with eSIM hardware
- Carrier QR code re-issuance fee on phone change
Mobile Broadband (MBB) SIM
High-DataBest for: 4G/5G portable Wi-Fi dongles, MiFi devices, and home cloud routers
- Optimized for massive data bundles
- Higher speed prioritization on towers
- Cheaper per-GB rates
- Cannot make standard cellular voice calls
- Requires specialized router hardware
IoT / M2M SIMs
EnterpriseBest for: Vehicle trackers, smart meters, POS terminals, and security cameras
- Ultra-low power telemetry consumption
- Permanent active roaming profiles
- Ruggedized chip durability
- Not intended for smartphone internet browsing
- Requires enterprise registration
How to Activate an eSIM in Pakistan
- Ensure phone is connected to an active Wi-Fi connection.
- Go to Settings ➔ Cellular (or Mobile Service).
- Tap Add eSIM ➔ Select Use QR Code.
- Scan the official QR code voucher provided by Jazz, Zong, or Ufone.
- Label the eSIM (e.g. "Personal" or "Business") and confirm activation.
- Connect to Wi-Fi and open Settings ➔ Connections.
- Select SIM Manager ➔ Tap Add eSIM.
- Choose Scan QR Code from service provider.
- Point your camera at the operator QR voucher.
- Follow on-screen instructions to download your digital profile.
Prepaid vs. Postpaid Cost Calculator
Estimate tax overheads, line rents, and determine whether prepaid cards or a monthly billing plan saves you more money.
Best for 90% of Pakistani users. No unexpected bills, no security deposits, and access to all weekly/monthly Super Cards.
Best if you require official tax billing certificates for company expense reimbursement and continuous uninterrupted roaming.
Check SIMs Registered on Your CNIC (PTA DIRBS Protocol)
Never allow unauthorized numbers on your national identity card. PTA enforces a strict maximum limit of 5 SIMs per CNIC.
SMS Your CNIC to 668
Send your 13-digit CNIC number (without dashes) to 668 via SMS from any Pakistani mobile number to receive a count of registered SIMs.
Check Online via PTA SIM System
Visit the official PTA SIM Information System portal (cnic.sims.pk) and enter your CNIC to see network-by-network SIM counts instantly.
Biometric Disown / Block at Franchise
If you discover unrecognized numbers registered against your identity, immediately visit the respective franchise with original CNIC for biometric disownment.