Rehan Shahid 
Jan 17, 2026
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Saturday unveiled a new facility, which will allow overseas Pakistanis to keep their mobile phone SIMs during extended stays abroad.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), PTA said: "Expatriates would be able to maintain continuity of their mobile services, ensuring their SIM cards were not blocked while they were outside the country. Overseas Pakistanis could contact their respective mobile network operators to avail the facility."
The authority further added that this step would help expatriates maintain uninterrupted access to essential communication services while living or working overseas. PTA aims to encourage overseas Pakistanis and boost digital connectivity at the global level.
"This initiative enables Pakistani citizens abroad to retain SIM ownership, ensure uninterrupted telecom services, and stay connected with the country," added the PTA.
Earlier, the telecom authority said that all mobile SIM cards must be registered in the name of the person using them, warning that the use of SIMs registered to others violates regulations and could lead to action.
The PTA had advised telecom users to ensure responsible use of their SIMs and clarified that the registered subscriber would be held fully accountable for any misuse.
