You can’t just get a SIM card in Pakistan at any store. You must go to certain offices that have the ability to issue SIM cards to foreigners.
I have used Zong 4G Pakistan on my many trips to Pakistan. It’s the best network in Pakistan. I’ve never had an issue with their coverage, and their 4G speeds average 5-10 Mbps download and up to 16 Mbps upload. However, 4G download speed is capped in disputed regions like Kashmir, where it’s around 1 Mbps or less.
I’ve also used Ufone and had no issues and similar speeds, too.
Another option is Jazz, but I’ve not had a reason to try them yet. There’s also Telenor, but their coverage is said to be bad.
The following two stores I have personally used to get tourist SIMs.
Where to get a SIM in Islamabad?
Zong Customer Service Centre, Blue Area, Islamabad. Right next door is the Jazz office too.
Where to get a SIM in Lahore?
If you want a Zong sim, go to the Zong Customer Service Centre on Mall Road.
Another store I know sells to foreigners is Ufone near Mini Market. Ufone is fine if you don’t need much data or are in Pakistan for a short trip. But I found buying extra data didn’t work, and I kept getting charged for every megabyte consumed.
International credit cards are accepted in the app and in stores. English can be limited depending on which sales executive you end up with.
When you enter the store, a security guard will give you a ticket with a number on it. Your number will be called out when it’s your turn.
Where to get a SIM in Gilgit?
If you’re travelling to Gilgit, 4G data is only available with a SCOM SIM card. They have a few franchise stores in Gilgit.
Documents needed for SIM card in Pakistan
To get a tourist SIM, you must present your passport and Pakistan VISA.
How long do new SIMs take to work?
New SIMs are activated anywhere from immediately up to 18 hours once your passport and VISA have been verified.
How much do SIMs in Pakistan cost?
There are 4 basic plans, and all sorts of data, voice, and SMS add-ons are available if you run out on your plan.
There’s no cost to buy the SIM itself. But Zong does take a security deposit ranging from Rs. 500 to 2500, depending on your plan. You can spend this deposit on add-ons.
I just buy the lowest package so I don’t have to give a massive deposit and buy 20GB data add-ons to upload my videos to YouTube.
Does Zong have an app?
Yes, you can manage your account, buy add-ons, topup, and check balance with the My Zong app on Android and iPhone.
The app does accept payment via international credit cards.
Can you use international roaming in Pakistan?
Yes, but it can be very expensive. Check with your mobile provider.
Can you roam on an Indian SIM card in Pakistan?
No. Indian SIMs do not work in Pakistan; I’ve tried.
They do work near the border, within a radius of 2 km. Like at Kartarpur Sahib, for example. But it’s patchy.
The big issue for returning tourists to Pakistan
I returned to Pakistan to find out my phone’s SIM card slot had been disabled for use in Pakistan!
If you don’t pay tax on your foreign phone within 60 days of arriving your SIM card tray (its unique identifier, called its IMEI number) gets blocked on Pakistan’s mobile networks!
Pakistan’s Telecommunication Authority is trying to stop people from importing phones and not paying duty on them. Unfortunately, this affects foreign tourists returning to Pakistan who find their phones banned.
I was lucky. I have two SIM card slots. So, one was still working. But it’ll be banned soon, too.
So, you either pay the tax to a telco, around Rs. 25-75,000, buy a cheap PTA-approved phone with hotspot functionality for Rs. 20,000, or buy a 4G portable WiFi device and carry it around and keep your phone connected to it.
Tourist SIMs expire once your VISA expires, so banning tourists’ phones from the mobile network makes no sense. I hope this will change in the future.
How to check if you’re phone is PTA approved
Foreign tourists can now get their phone PTA-approved online and check their phone status at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s website.
Do you have any more questions about SIMs in Pakistan? Drop a comment.
25 replies on “How to Get a SIM Card in Pakistan (Plus 1 Problem for Tourists)”
Hi Karl, you said that the mobile speeds in Kashmir are limited to Dial-Up. Is that restriction strictly for foreigners because although Mobile Networks in Pakistani Kashmir are different to Mainland Networks (and are worse) there is no speed restriction?
I don’t know the reason. But someone told me local SIMs are fine, but SIMs bought outside of Kashmir are capped.
Bro I’m kirtin you repelyed me in your vidio about indian sim not working in pakistan can you say how to buy a safe sim in Pakistan for tourist with all the procedure and make a vidio in youtube
Hi Kirtin, this article tells the procedure for tourists.
so now they doesn’t require a pakistani sponsor to obtain Sim card right?
Correct
Hi Karl
I heard that tourists dont have to pay tax on mobile phones. You only need to register your mobile phone to the authorities. Is that correct?
Not as far as I know. I asked Zong and a local cell phone seller in Lahore. You get 60 days free, then you have to pay tax to continue using that SIM card IMEI. If you find information otherwise, please let me know.
Is this still true now in december 2021? I heard that pak sims don’t work at all on foreign phones.
Hi Susan. Nothing has changed. Pakistani SIM cards work in foreign phones.
Pakistan Sims work on any unlocked GSM phone. Your cell phone providers do tend to lock up the phone so that consumers in their native countries do not take the phones to another carrier. This is not the case in Pakistan. I have traveled to Pakistan for most of my life, and have found the service to be far better than land lines in Pakistan. Bring your mobile phone, ask a local. The way phones work, you take your passport, and visa with you. Go to a Zong office, there are many small shops that have both a sim and a service. Obtain a sim, plug it into your phone, and turn the phone on. A text message will be sent showing you a balance. DO NOT PANIC, Pakistan charges taxes at the time you load up your phone. So if you take 1,000 Pak Ruppies, they will deduct $200 Pak Ruppies as taxes, leaving you with 800 Pak Ruppies as your balance to use when making or receiving phone calls. Note, all incoming phone calls, both domestic and international in Pakistan are free of charge. Only phone calls made are charged.
Also one thing more to note for international travelers, Indians, USA, or anyone for that matter. Making a phone call outside of Pakistan is far cheaper on Pak mobile phones, than it is to make phone calls from outside of the country into Pakistan. So if from USA you call on a landline, the Americans pay a higher fee as oppose to making a phone call to the United States, from Pakistan which is far cheaper. (To foreigners its far cheaper). While this blog about Pakistan is only focused on cell phones,I am happy to share anything else you may have questions about when visiting Pakistan.
Thank you Karl for a very informative article. As an ex-telecom professional in India, this was really news to me! And hey… Congrats on your Blog, really cool!!!
Hi Karl, another question please – do you have a location of Zong office for obtaining a sim card in Karachi? Thanks.
Hi Susan, I don’t sorry. But just ask your hotel when you arrive. They’ll known the nearest store to go to.
The foreign phones usually get locked after 30 days of use. It happened to me, but when I went to Jazz’s office, they charged me Rs. 6000 and unlocked the connection. I use iPhone SE (2020). Since then I have used the same phone with Jazz’s sim & no problem at all. Even when a returned a year later (Nov 2021), the same phone / sim worked perfectly fine.
Thanks Ali
Hey Karl,
my name is Imran and I am a German-Pakistani. Currently I am spending my holidays in Lahore abd would like to meet you before I fly back to Germany.
Best regards
Imran
Hi Imran, sorry I’m not in Pakistan at the moment.
Hi Karl
A big fan – my kids think I’m crazy – but just to win them over can you say Ho to Anna & Yasha
Hi Anna & Yasha!
Hi
Just bit more info on top of what’s already there. I used Jazz sim. As in the blog post, you need to go to a franchise office to get your sim card if you are a foreigner. The sim card mostly don’t work in Kashmir and Gilgit and Baltistan. SCOM(Special communications Company) was set up to build communication infrastructure in these areas and they have a monopoly. The easy way to get SCOM sim is to ask someone locally to use their ID and fingerprint to get the SIM, this can be done from any store but if you cant, you have to go to a SCOM franchise office and provide passport copy and confirmed visa copy. It took me around a day to get my SIM activated. If it takes longer to activate, ask a local to call the office
Hello! I am paying taxes to have my phone registered and use the SIM. My visa is valid for three months, but then I would want to renew it for other three. Do I have to pay the taxes once again? Thanks!
Hi Elizabeth, nope. It’s a one-time payment only. Enjoy.
Hi, Can Sim cards be brought at airports as well please. Also, Karl, I treally appreciate your videos and thank you for advice re:- ‘security guards’ in Multan.
Hey Richard, I haven’t seen SIM cards available at any airport. Even airport WIFI can be difficult to connect to without a working SIM card too.