ISLAMABAD – A foreign SIM that once let travellers stay connected in Pakistan without local verification could soon come under PTA scrutiny as telecom regulator is proposing mandatory identity checks and 90-day roaming threshold that could change how tourists, overseas Pakistanis and eSIM users access local mobile networks.
Pakistan is considering sweeping new restrictions on foreign SIM cards and eSIMs, with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) proposing mandatory identity verification, a 90-day permanent-roaming threshold and tighter controls on international travel connectivity providers.
The proposed International Roaming (Inbound) Regulations, 2026, could change how foreign visitors, overseas Pakistanis and business travellers access Pakistani mobile networks. The draft seeks to address security vulnerabilities linked to unverified roaming connections while bringing international travel SIM and eSIM services under regulatory oversight.
However, the proposed measures are not yet in force and remain subject to public consultation and final approval.
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Under the draft framework, Pakistani telecom operators would be required to collect and verify the identities of people connecting to local networks through foreign SIM cards and eSIMs.
The proposed verification process could require passport or travel document details, nationality, SIM or eSIM identifiers and the name of the user’s foreign mobile operator. Arrival dates and expected lengths of stay may also be collected where such information is available.
PTA proposed multiple verification channels, including welcome SMS messages containing verification links, approved digital portals and coordination with immigration and border authorities, including relevant records maintained by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Registered travel SIM and eSIM aggregators could also be involved in the process, with special arrangements for data-only eSIM services.
Telecom operators would be required to retain verification records for at least 12 months after the user stops using inbound roaming, unless the PTA prescribes a different period.
One of the key proposals is new threshold for identifying permanent roaming. Under draft, a foreign SIM or eSIM used for 90 days or more on a cumulative basis within any 180-day period could be classified as a permanent-roaming connection.
Operators would monitor both the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) associated with the SIM and the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of the handset. This means changing eSIM profiles on the same device would not automatically reset the monitoring period.
The proposed rules would require operators to contact the foreign subscriber’s home network to establish whether continued roaming is legitimate. The normal response period would generally be seven days, while cases involving suspected fraud or security threats could require confirmation within 72 or 24 hours.
If legitimate temporary use cannot be confirmed, the connection could be suspended or blocked, with the matter reported to the PTA. The authority has also proposed a centralised database for blocked roaming connections.
Possible exemptions could cover diplomats, international organisation employees, airline and ship crews, genuine business users and technical testing activities.
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PTA also wants to bring international travel SIM and eSIM providers under a formal regulatory framework. Companies named in the consultation paper include Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Saily, Ubigi, GigSky and Eskimo.
Under the proposed requirements, these providers would have to register with the PTA, disclose the underlying mobile networks and distribution channels they use, appoint a local focal person and share relevant information about SIM issuance, activation, identity verification and usage.
Providers that fail to comply could face blocking orders under the proposed framework. Travel eSIMs are widely marketed to tourists and international visitors who want mobile internet access without buying a conventional local SIM. Many can be purchased online and activated digitally, with some packages offering data-only services through wholesale agreements with local or regional telecom operators.
The proposed rules would subject these services to additional identity, reporting and compliance obligations in Pakistan.
The draft regulations also propose tougher action against connections used to circumvent telecom rules or facilitate unlawful activities. The measures would cover SIM boxes used for call bypass, bulk resale of connectivity, unauthorised hotspot reselling and the use of machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) SIM cards for ordinary consumer purposes.
The proposed changes seek to close a regulatory gap between domestic SIM registration and international roaming. Pakistani SIM cards generally require biometric verification against National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) records. Foreign SIMs accessing local networks through international roaming currently operate without an equivalent local KYC requirement or the proposed permanent-roaming monitoring mechanism.
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PTA raised concerns that unverified connections could complicate investigations into spoofed calls, SMS phishing, extortion, online shopping fraud and other financial crimes.
The authority is also seeking to address potential misuse of foreign connections for fraudulent social media accounts, unlawful online content and circumvention of domestic SIM registration requirements.
Long-term roaming and SIM-box operations are additional concerns because they may undermine local telecom regulations, bypass international calling tariffs and affect revenues earned by Pakistani operators and the national exchequer. The proposed framework is intended to improve traceability and curb abuse while preserving legitimate connectivity for tourists, temporary visitors and eligible business users.
Foreign SIM cards are issued by overseas mobile operators. When users arrive in Pakistan, their SIMs connect to local networks through international roaming agreements with operators such as Jazz, Zong and Ufone.
Users can retain their original foreign numbers and access calls, text messages and mobile data, depending on their packages. Charges are generally handled by the home operator, meaning a Pakistani SIM is not required.
Travel SIMs and eSIMs are different products designed primarily for international travellers. They are often purchased online, and digital eSIM profiles can be installed before departure. Many offer data-only connectivity without a conventional local telephone number.
Both options provide mobile connectivity in Pakistan without requiring a standard domestic SIM. Under the current arrangement, however, inbound roaming users are not subject to the same local biometric verification process as Pakistani SIM subscribers.
Separately, foreign mobile phones used with local Pakistani SIM cards remain subject to applicable Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) requirements. Eligible short-term visitors and overseas Pakistanis may use the existing temporary registration facility of up to 120 days.
PTA has invited written comments from stakeholders until November 10, 2026. Telecom operators, international eSIM providers, travellers and overseas Pakistanis can submit their feedback before the proposed rules are finalised.