PTA Sets 180-Day Minimum Validity for Prepaid Mobile Balances

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has ordered all mobile network operators to implement a uniform policy to provide a minimum 180-day validity period for prepaid balances. The new rules will take effect nationwide starting October 1.

Protection for Prepaid Users

PTA took action after receiving numerous complaints from subscribers. Customers reported that cellular companies were permanently cancelling unused prepaid balances once their validity periods expired. Active SIM customers were also required to maintain a certain balance, or their SIMs will be cancelled.

Because approximately 97 percent of mobile users across Pakistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan rely on prepaid connections, the sudden loss of funds placed a heavy financial burden on low-income consumers.

Rules of the New Directive

• 180-Day Minimum Validity: Every mobile recharge and prepaid balance must remain valid for at least 180 days.
• Automatic Restoration: If a subscriber’s balance expires while their SIM is still active, the operator must automatically restore the funds the moment the user makes a new recharge
• Uniform Standards: All telecom companies must follow the same regulatory guidelines and are strictly forbidden from using unfair commercial practices.

Operator Policies and SIM Recycling

During the review officials noted that complaints had specifically targeted Zong and Telenor Pakistan (acquired by PTCL) regarding mandatory balance maintenance and failure to carry forward unused funds.

Meanwhile, a Jazz official explained that mobile networks maintain a standard active SIM period of 90 days, followed by a 180-day quarantine phase. Under existing Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations, an inactive SIM can eventually be completely recycled after up to 720 days of inactivity, after which the previous owner loses all rights to the number.