365-Day SIM Rule in Pakistan: New PTA Disowning & Transfer Policy
Pakistan’s SIM registration system has changed in 2026. According to the new 365-Day SIM Registration Rule, a newly activated SIM cannot be disowned or transferred to another person’s CNIC until one year (365 days) since the activation date.
A newly activated SIM in Pakistan used to have a waiting period of 60 days before it could be disowned, transferred, or given up by the owner. This means that the new one-year rule reduces the window SIM owners have had to transfer or disown SIMs to others. While it is limiting in its nature, it is made to secure SIM registration in Pakistan and reduce identity and mobile number misuse.
Check Also: Sim Owner Details Pakistan
What Does the 365-Day SIM Rule Mean?
In simple words, the rule means that there shall be one-year ownership of a newly activated SIM.
If you have activated a SIM by your CNIC and bio recognition, this connection shall remain yours for 365 days, and you cannot ask the operator to disown it and transfer it to any other CNIC during this period.
The one common mistake that everyone makes is that they think the timer starts on the day they purchase the SIM.
Actually there is no particular date for this, and every connection has its own lifespan of 365 days.
Old Rule vs New Rule
| SIM Policy | Previous Requirement | Current Requirement |
| Disowning a newly activated SIM | After 60 days | After 365 days |
| Ownership transfer | Earlier than the new limit | After completing 365 days |
| Countdown | Based on activation | Based on activation |
The biggest change is therefore the waiting period: 60 days has been replaced by 365 days.
Is the 365-Day SIM Policy Official?
Yes. The information in the source article shows that it was an official PTA change, not a social-media rumor.
Based on the time given in the article, the regulation was changed through a government notice in PTA in May 2026 and then PTA also issued a reminder. News organizations subsequently reported the change, while Geo Fact Check later verified the claim with a PTA official.
The reported timeline is:
- 11 May 2026: Government notification related to the SIM registration regulations.
- 24 May 2026: PTA advisory regarding the 365-day disowning and transfer restriction.
- 25 May 2026: News coverage of the new requirement.
- 4 June 2026: Geo Fact Check verification of the policy.
So, if you activate a new SIM, you should consider the one-year ownership period before planning to transfer or disown it.
Why Was the Waiting Period Increased to One Year?
The main reason behind the change is mobile-security and identity protection.
SIM registration can become a problem if a connection is registered by one person using the identity of another and is subsequently passed around different individuals. Based on the reading material, SIM cards that have been misused or stolen could be transferred or disconnected fairly swiftly, preventing any traceability.
The longer period gives authorities more time to maintain a reliable record of who originally registered a connection.
It also fits into the broader approach of strengthening SIM security through measures such as:
- Limiting SIM registrations against a CNIC
- Additional verification during SIM issuance
- Waiting periods for certain SIM-related services
- Stronger accountability for registered SIM owners
The overall objective is to make it harder to use mobile connections for identity theft, fraudulent registrations and other forms of misuse.
What Can You Do During the 365-Day Period?
The rule does not mean that your SIM becomes unusable for a year.
You can continue using your connection normally for calls, SMS and mobile data. The restriction specifically concerns disowning and transferring ownership of a newly activated SIM.
During the waiting period, you can still:
- Block the SIM if your phone or SIM is lost or stolen.
- Report an unfamiliar SIM appearing against your CNIC.
- Contact your mobile operator about unauthorized registration.
- Check SIMs associated with your CNIC.
- Use your connection for calls, texts and internet.
- Complete relevant biometric verification services.
- Deal with older SIMs that have already completed the required period.
What You Cannot Do
For a newly activated SIM that has not yet completed 365 days:
- You cannot disown it.
- You cannot transfer its ownership to another person’s CNIC.
This distinction is important because the policy is about ownership changes, not ordinary SIM usage.
How to Check SIMs Registered Against Your CNIC
Checking your registered connections is a useful step if you want to make sure no unknown SIM is linked to your identity.
The source article lists two methods:
- Use the official Pakistan SIM information system to see the connections attached to your CNIC.
- Forward your 13-digit CNIC number to 668 by SMS (without dashes) to check your connections in Pakistan. They may charge you for this service.
You should perform regular tests so that you can recognize unknown connections in time.
What If You Find an Unknown SIM on Your CNIC?
Finding a SIM that you do not recognize should not be ignored.
The recommended approach would be to contact your mobile operator and explain that the connection does not belong to you. Perhaps an official franchise will have to be visited so that the operator can check the registration and guide you through the necessary procedure.
If you suspect that your credentials had been misused to perpetrate some form of fraud, the source also recommends lodging a complaint with the relevant cybercrime authority.
Acting promptly is better than having an unknown SIM card linked to your CNIC.
Does the 365-Day Rule Apply to Every Network?
Yes. According to the source material, the policy applies to mobile network operators working under PTA regulations rather than being limited to a single network.
So whether the newly activated SIM belongs to one operator or another, the same general 365-day ownership restriction applies.
What About Existing SIMs?
The one-year restriction is primarily relevant to newly activated SIMs.
If an older connection has already completed the required period, it is not subject to a fresh 365-day wait simply because the new policy exists.
For your own number, the useful date to remember is its original activation date.
Can You Block a SIM Before 365 Days?
Yes.
If your phone or SIM is lost or stolen, you can contact your mobile network and request that the connection be blocked. The 365-day restriction does not prevent you from taking action to protect a lost or stolen SIM.
However, blocking or deactivating a connection is different from changing its registered ownership.
Can a SIM Be Deactivated During the One-Year Period?
You may contact your mobile operator with a request to deactivate a connection.
The key detail is that the deactivation does not automatically eliminate the ownership restriction: according to the source, the SIM cannot be disowned or transferred before 365 days.
If you have any doubts about a particular case, the best choice is to ask your operator to clarify what the procedure is.
How to Calculate the 365 Days
The calculation is straightforward.
Suppose your SIM was activated on 15 September 2026. The relevant one-year period is counted from that activation date.
In other words, don’t use the purchase date if you bought the SIM several days before activation. The activation date is the date that matters under the rule.
For an exact confirmation, check the activation information available through the relevant SIM information system or contact your network operator.
Why You Should Be Careful When Buying a New SIM
The longer waiting period makes it more important to think carefully before registering a new connection.
Avoid accepting a SIM that has already been activated for someone else or registering a connection on your CNIC simply as a favor. The source specifically advises users to avoid:
- Registering SIMs for friends or relatives
- Sharing biometric verification
- Purchasing connections from unauthorized sellers
- Ignoring unfamiliar SIMs registered against their CNIC
- Failing to check their registered connections
A SIM registered against your CNIC creates an ownership record, so it should be treated as your responsibility.
Main Benefits of the New Policy
The 365-day requirement may feel restrictive compared with the previous 60-day period, but the policy is intended to improve the security of SIM ownership.
Potential benefits include:
- Stronger identity protection
- Fewer opportunities for fraudulent SIM registration
- Better records of SIM ownership
- Reduced misuse of personal information
- Greater accountability for registered users
- Improved telecom security
The basic idea is simple: a newly registered connection stays tied to its original owner for longer, creating a more stable ownership record.
What Are the Downsides?
The biggest drawback is flexibility.
Under the previous system, users could disown a SIM after a much shorter period. With the new rule, someone who changes their mind shortly after activating a number may have to wait much longer before ownership can be changed.
The main limitations are:
- A significantly longer waiting period
- Less flexibility when changing SIM ownership
- Greater need to choose carefully before activating a new connection
For most users, the practical lesson is to activate a SIM only when they genuinely intend to keep it registered in their own name.
365-Day SIM Rule: Common Myths and Facts
| Common Claim | What the Policy Says |
| A new SIM can be transferred whenever you want. | A newly activated SIM cannot be transferred during the 365-day period. |
| The rule applies to only one mobile network. | The policy applies to operators regulated under PTA. |
| The restriction stops normal SIM usage. | Calls, SMS and mobile data can continue normally. |
| An unknown SIM on your CNIC can be ignored. | You should report and investigate unfamiliar registrations. |
| The waiting period starts when you buy the SIM. | The countdown starts from activation. |
The most important point to remember is that 365 days is an ownership waiting period, not a SIM usage ban.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 365-day SIM rule in Pakistan?
It is a PTA policy under which a newly activated SIM cannot normally be disowned or transferred to another person’s CNIC until 365 days have passed from its activation date.
Does the 365-day rule apply to all mobile networks?
Yes. The source states that the requirement applies to mobile network operators working under PTA regulations.
Does the rule apply to old SIMs?
The restriction concerns newly activated SIMs. An older SIM that has already completed the required period is not placed under a new 365-day wait simply because the policy was introduced.
Can I block my SIM if my phone is stolen?
Yes, in case of a lost/stolen phone, you can call your operator and ask them to block your SIM.
When does the 365-day period starts?
It is counted from the SIM activation date and not from the date when you purchased the SIM.
Why did PTA introduce 365-day SIM rule?
According to official sources, this rule was introduced to enhance security, lower fraud rates, avoid misuse of identity, and make SIM ownership accountable.
Can I register a SIM using someone else’s CNIC?
No. A SIM should be registered using the CNIC and biometric verification of its actual owner.
Can I deactivate a SIM before 365 days?
You can contact your mobile operator regarding deactivation. However, deactivation is separate from ownership transfer or disowning, which remain restricted until the required period is completed.
What happens after 365 days?
Once the one-year period from activation has been completed, you can request disowning or transfer of the SIM according to the applicable PTA and operator procedures.
Conclusion
The 365-Day SIM Rule is one of the latest modifications to Pakistan’s SIM registration laws in 2026. Under the new procedure, a connection activated in someone’s name could not be disowned after 60 days, hence new owners would keep them in their possession for 365 days (new rule) instead of 60.
For an average user, the rule is straightforward and much easier to digest than it sounds at first glance because your SIM will not deactivate immediately after activation, and you do not have to wait a year before using your call, SMS or mobile data. The one-year limit primarily applies to changes in ownership.
The best thing to do is register SIMs for yourself, complete biometric verification correctly, buy connections through authorized channels and occasionally check what SIMs are associated with your CNIC to avoid these problems in the future.