The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has proposed mandatory registration for travel SIM and eSIM providers operating in Pakistan, a move that would bring international roaming services under a formal regulatory framework for the first time. The draft International Roaming (Inbound) Regulations, 2026, reported by ProPakistani and 247News on October 13, 2026, is now open for stakeholder consultation before it is formally notified.
If you are a frequent traveller, an overseas Pakistani visiting home, or someone who buys travel eSIMs online, here is what the proposal says and what it could mean for you.
What the Draft Regulations Propose
Under the draft rules, no person or company would be allowed to operate as a travel SIM or eSIM aggregator in Pakistan without prior registration with the PTA. The key requirements include:
- Mandatory registration: Providers must submit registration forms, pay prescribed fees, and file supporting documents before offering services in Pakistan.
- Full disclosure: Applicants must disclose their associated foreign mobile operators, network providers, distribution channels, and a local contact responsible for regulatory coordination.
- Fees and deposits: The framework proposes annual registration fees, security deposits, and renewal requirements.
- Data sharing: Registered providers must establish data-sharing arrangements with the PTA and report details of issued or activated SIMs and eSIMs, customer identity verification, and usage summaries — potentially through a designated portal or API.
- Enforcement powers: The PTA could suspend or cancel a provider's registration for non-compliance, and a centralised database of blocked inbound roamers would stop suspended users from hopping to another operator.
Why the PTA Is Doing This
The authority's concern is that foreign travel eSIMs can currently be activated inside Pakistan without local identity verification. That creates problems around subscriber traceability, financial fraud, and national security, according to the PTA. The draft also flags the growing use of foreign SIMs as substitutes for locally issued connections — including in machine-to-machine and IoT devices — which, the authority says, could cost the national exchequer and Pakistani mobile operators revenue.
Related: KYC Checks and a 90-Day Cap on Foreign Roaming SIMs
The registration proposal sits alongside a second draft measure reported by Business Recorder: telecom operators would have to verify the identity of inbound roamers — collecting passport details, nationality, roaming SIM/eSIM identifiers and home-operator information — and a 90-day cap would apply to foreign roaming SIMs. Operators would also need systems to detect permanent roaming and keep roaming records for at least 12 months.
Together, the two drafts signal that the days of buying an anonymous foreign eSIM and using it indefinitely in Pakistan are numbered. Travellers planning longer stays may find it simpler to pick up a local SIM — check your phone's SIM compatibility and stock up on travel accessories like adapters and SIM-ejector tools on our Store page before your trip.
What It Means for Travellers and Overseas Pakistanis
- Short visits: Little changes in the short term — the rules are still in consultation and won't take effect until they are gazetted.
- Longer stays: If you rely on a foreign roaming SIM for months at a time, the proposed 90-day cap means you will eventually need a local connection. You can convert durations to plan your stay with a free unit converter.
- eSIM buyers: Reputable travel-eSIM brands will likely register and keep operating; unregistered grey-market sellers may disappear from the market.
- Privacy: Registered providers will share activation and usage data with the PTA, so roamers should expect less anonymity than before.
What Happens Next
The PTA has launched a consultation process to gather feedback from stakeholders, and it may revise the draft before formally notifying it in the official Gazette. Only after notification would the rules come into effect — so there is still time for travellers and providers to have their say.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the PTA proposal affect my regular Pakistani SIM?
No. The draft targets travel SIM and eSIM aggregators — companies selling international roaming connectivity — not local SIMs issued by Jazz, Telenor, Zong or Ufone.
Will I still be able to buy a travel eSIM for Pakistan?
Yes, but only from providers that register with the PTA once the rules take effect. Major international eSIM brands are expected to comply and continue operating.
When will these rules come into force?
Not yet — the draft is in the consultation phase. The PTA will revise it based on feedback and then notify it in the official Gazette, after which it becomes effective.
What data will eSIM providers have to share with the PTA?
Under the draft, registered providers must report issued or activated SIMs/eSIMs, customer identity verification details, and usage summaries, possibly through a PTA-designated portal or API.
Conclusion
The PTA's draft International Roaming (Inbound) Regulations, 2026 would end the unregulated era of travel SIMs and eSIMs in Pakistan. Registration, identity verification and data-sharing requirements aim to close the traceability gap that anonymous foreign eSIMs create. For ordinary travellers the impact will be small — but long-term roamers and grey-market sellers should watch the consultation closely.
