In Pakistan, every SIM card is registered against a national identity number (CNIC). With SIM fraud and identity misuse on the rise, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has made it easier than ever to verify how many SIMs are registered under your CNIC — and to report any that are not yours. This guide covers every method available to Pakistani mobile users in 2026.
Method 1: SMS to 668 (Free and Instant)
The simplest way to check your SIM registrations is to send your 13-digit CNIC number (without dashes) as an SMS to 668 from any Pakistani mobile number. The system will instantly reply with the number of SIMs registered across all networks under your identity. This service is free of charge and available 24 hours a day. Results may take up to 48 hours to reflect the most recent registrations made at franchises.
Method 2: PTA Website
PTA’s official portal at cnic.sims.pk allows users to check their registered SIMs online. You will need to enter your CNIC number and complete a simple verification step. The portal provides a more detailed view than the SMS method, showing which networks each SIM belongs to and the current status of each registration. This is the recommended method if you want to review your registrations in detail.
What to Do If You Find an Unknown SIM
If you discover a SIM registered under your CNIC that you do not recognise, act immediately. First, send your CNIC to 668 to confirm the unauthorized registration. Then file a formal complaint through PTA’s complaint portal at complaint.pta.gov.pk.
Contact the helpline of the network where the suspicious SIM appears — Jazz at 111, Zong at 310, Ufone at 333, or Telenor at 345. If you suspect broader identity theft, also report the matter to NADRA. Keep your complaint reference numbers for follow-up.
How Many SIMs Can One CNIC Have?
PTA regulations allow a maximum of five active SIM cards per CNIC across all networks. If more than five SIMs appear under your identity, it is likely that at least one was registered without your knowledge or consent. You should immediately file a complaint to have the unauthorised SIM deactivated. An active SIM under your name can be used for criminal activity, which creates problems directly for you as the registered identity holder.
PTA’s 2026 SIM Database: More Accurate Than Before
The PTA’s 2026 SIM database is the most comprehensive and verified record to date, following several years of biometric re-verification campaigns conducted at telecom franchises across Pakistan. Every SIM activation now requires fingerprint verification, linking each number to a confirmed identity rather than a manually filled form. Updates made at a franchise typically appear in live query results within 24 to 48 hours.
Checking your SIM registrations is a quick and free process that takes under a minute. Given the increasing focus on telecom security and the PTA’s recent advisory on SIM blocking for outdated CNICs, all Pakistani mobile users should verify their registrations today and take action on any discrepancies.
