The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed all cellular mobile operators to give customers at least 180 days of validity on every recharge or mobile balance.
According to the PTA, around 97 per cent of mobile users in Pakistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan use prepaid services.
The authority said many users lose their remaining balance when its validity ends. This can cause financial losses, especially for people with low incomes.
When will the rule apply?
The step has been taken to protect prepaid mobile users across the country. The new rule will take effect from October 1, 2026.
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What will change for mobile users?
Under the new rule, mobile companies will have to keep any amount of prepaid balance valid for at least 180 days.
The PTA has also ordered that expired balance on an active SIM must be restored when the user makes the next recharge. The restored amount will then become available for use again.
Mobile operators have also been told not to use unfair business practices while applying the new rule.
Why did PTA take the decision?
The decision came after the authority received several complaints from mobile users.
Many customers had raised concerns about losing their unused balance after it expired.
Before making the decision, the PTA asked the public, consumers and mobile operators for suggestions.
Some people suggested that the balance should remain available as long as the SIM is active.
Another proposal was to link unused balance to a user’s CNIC so it could be moved to a new SIM or refunded.
Mobile operators opposed the idea of restoring balance through CNICs. They pointed to possible technical problems. They also raised concerns about fraud, ownership disputes and extra costs.
Stronger protection for prepaid users
The PTA said international practices also support stronger protection for prepaid users.
It also referred to mobile companies in the United Kingdom where some services protect prepaid balance linked to an active SIM. In some cases, users can also receive unused balance back.