Pakistan’s Active SIM Count Reaches 210 Million as PTA Eyes Pak ID-Based SIM Issuance
The Senate committee said citizens may soon be able to obtain SIMs remotely through the Pak ID platform, while lawmakers call for faster eSIM adoption.
Pakistan has reached another milestone in mobile connectivity, with the number of active SIMs surpassing 210 million, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat during a meeting held at the Establishment Division.
The committee, chaired by Senator Rana Mahmood-ul-Hassan, reviewed key developments in the country’s telecommunications sector, including mobile connectivity, digital transformation and initiatives aimed at improving public access to telecom services.
During the briefing, PTA Chairman Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman informed lawmakers that Pakistan’s active SIM base has reached 210 million, reflecting the continued growth of mobile services and increasing digital adoption across the country.
One of the key developments discussed during the meeting was the PTA’s plan to simplify the SIM issuance process. The authority informed the committee that it is currently working with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to introduce Pak ID-based SIM issuance.
According to the PTA chairman, the objective is to enable citizens to obtain new SIMs from their homes through the Pak ID platform, eliminating the need to visit customer service centres and making the process faster, more convenient and fully digital.
The committee also discussed Pakistan’s progress towards newer mobile technologies. During the session, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla remarked that many countries around the world have already transitioned to eSIM technology and questioned where Pakistan currently stands in comparison with global digital trends.
If implemented, Pak ID-based SIM issuance would represent another step towards digitizing telecom services, allowing users to complete the SIM registration process remotely while strengthening identity verification through NADRA’s digital platform.
With mobile subscriptions continuing to grow and new digital initiatives under consideration, Pakistan’s telecom sector appears set to enter another phase of modernization focused on improving accessibility, security and customer experience.
Also read:
PTA Blocks 1.84 Million Illegal SIMs in Seven Months as Crackdown Intensifies
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