SIM Card Guides

Pakistan SIM card: Best plans for tourists 2025

Pakistan SIM cards are one way to stay connected on your trip to Pakistan. Learn more about the best SIM cards in Pakistan, plans, prices, and a digital alternative.

For many UK residents with family ties to Pakistan, visiting often means reconnecting with loved ones, exploring family roots, and rediscovering the country’s natural beauty. Staying connected during these trips is essential for navigation, communication, and overall convenience. Finding the best Pakistan SIM card is one way to do so, especially to avoid high roaming fees.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to get connected in Pakistan, from Pakistan prepaid SIM card options, prices, and data plans to digital alternatives like an unlimited data travel eSIM.

In this article

How to buy a Pakistan SIM card

To buy a SIM card in Pakistan, you have two main options: purchasing a Pakistan SIM card after arrival or opting for a virtual SIM or physical SIM card before you travel. Each option offers specific advantages based on convenience, data usage needs, and how soon you want internet access.

Note: You can get both prepaid and postpaid SIMs in Pakistan (only from official stores).

Buy a SIM card for Pakistan before you travel

You won’t be able to get a local SIM card for Pakistan as official mobile network stores do not ship abroad, and the telecommunication authorities require ID verification. However, certain third-party sellers do ship SIM cards for Pakistan (and other destinations) internationally:

travSIM: Offers tiered data SIM cards and free worldwide shipping
XeSIM: Offers data plan options

Buy a Pakistan SIM card on arrival

You can also choose to purchase a Pakistan SIM card from the leading mobile providers such as Ufone, Jazz, Telenor, and Zong at:

Major international airports (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, etc.): Kiosks for Jazz, Telenor, Zong, and Ufone SIMs
Official provider stores: Multiple shops and outlets can be found nationwide
Local shops: Smaller shops and kiosks sell prepaid SIM cards

How much does a prepaid Pakistan SIM card cost?

Prepaid Pakistan SIM cards from Jazz, Telenor, Zong, and Ufone typically cost between £1 GBP and £5, depending on the provider and packages. Activation fees or extra charges may cost slightly more.

Best Pakistan SIM card providers

Below, you’ll find Pakistan SIM cards from the country’s top mobile networks, including Jazz, Ufone, Telenor, and Zong. We’ve also listed prepaid SIM card plans and pricing to help you choose the best local SIM card for your trip.

Jazz SIM card plans

Jazz is Pakistan’s largest and one of the oldest mobile networks. It is known for its reliable network coverage and is ideal for travelers who want to stay connected in urban and rural areas.

Here are some of their popular local SIM card plans:

Weekly Gupshup Plus: 1 GB for WhatsApp, 100 MB, 1000 Jazz minutes and SMS, 60 off-net minutes for PKR 200 (~£1)
15 DAY AIO: 10 GB, 2500 Jazz minutes and SMS, 250 off-net minutes for PKR 695 (~£2)
Monthly Star: 25 GB, 3000 Jazz minutes and SMS, and 500 off-net minutes for PKR 1565 (~£4)

Ufone prepaid SIM card plans

Ufone is another local service provider known for its affordable data packages, suitable for budget-conscious travelers who only need basic connectivity in cities and urban areas.

Here are some of Ufone’s prepaid packages for tourists:

Digital Mega Offer: 200 GB, 10,000 minutes (Ufone to Ufone and landline), 1000 off-net minutes, and 10,000 SMS for PKR 2200 (~£5) and 30-day validity
Digital Plus Offer: 200 GB, 10,000 minutes (Ufone to Ufone and landline), 2000 off-net minutes, 10,000 SMS, and 40 international minutes for PKR 2500 (~£6) and 30-day validity
Weekly Digital Offer: 60 GB, 7000 minutes (Ufone to Ufone and landline), 600 off-net minutes, and 7000 SMS for PKR 500 (~£2)

Telenor prepaid SIM card plans

Telenor has a strong reputation for fast internet speeds and competitive data-focused packages, including:

15 Days Extreme: 130 GB and 7500 minutes (Telenor to Telenor and landline) PKR 782 (~£3) with a 15-day validity
15 Days Max: 30 GB and 5000 minutes (Telenor to Telenor and landline) for PKR 652 (~£3)
Weekly Prime Offer: 100 GB, unlimited Telenor minutes PKR 434 (~£1) with a 7-day validity

Zong prepaid SIM card plans

Zong is mainly known for its reliable coverage and high-speed data in urban and remote areas. Here are some of their popular SIM card plans:

Monthly MY3: 120 GB, 10,000 Zong minutes, and 1,000 off-net minutes for PKR 3600 (~£9)
Monthly Pro Max Plus: 200 GB, 20,000 Zong minutes, and 2,000 off-net minutes for PKR 2200 (~£5)
Weekly Pro Plus: 60 GB, 6000 Zong minutes, and 600 off-net minutes for PKR 570 (~£3)

Requirements to buy a SIM card in Pakistan for tourists

Here are a few things to know before buying a SIM card for Pakistan:

Tourists can use both prepaid and postpaid SIM cards, which is uncommon in some other countries. Some Asia SIM cards offer coverage in the entire region with a single SIM.
Ensure you use an unlocked device, as switching SIM cards won’t work with a locked one.
To buy a SIM card, you’ll need a valid passport and a Pakistan visa (or Pakistan Origin Card, POC) as a foreigner.
You’ll be required to provide your signature, thumb impression, and scanned copies of the passport page with your information.
Tourists can obtain up to two Pakistan SIM cards, and their validity will match the duration of their visa or POC.
If you plan on traveling to Pakistan regularly, remember to keep your SIM card valid by occasionally adding extra credit or regularly paying for your plan. Otherwise, you’ll burn through two SIM cards very easily.

PTA temporary registration for foreign visitors

Foreign visitors and Pakistanis living abroad using a physical SIM card for Pakistan must register their mobile devices with the PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority). This is necessary to avoid additional taxes and ensure legal compliance. This temporary registration lasts 120 days and allows access to local networks.

Visit the PTA registration portal: Go to dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs.
Create an account: Sign up and verify your email or SMS.
Complete the registration: Enter personal information, and travel dates, and select “Temporary Registration.”
Submit and verify: Confirm details and enter the OTP sent to your phone.

Since this service isn’t available outside Pakistan, it’s an additional step in the already-long physical SIM card registration process. With eSIMs and virtual SIMs, the registration and setup process is more straightforward compared to this.

Using Holafly eSIM for Pakistan as an alternative

Holafly’s eSIM for Pakistan is the most convenient way to stay connected, as it doesn’t require you to go through the local SIM card registration and setup. All you need to do is check if your device supports eSIM functionality (most modern smartphones do).

With Holafly, you can buy and install your Pakistan eSIM (and eSIMs for other destinations) via a QR code before boarding your flight and activate it as soon as you land without ever worrying about data usage. Here’s what you get with Holafly:

Unlimited data during your entire stay
Top-up is available if you decide to prolong your trip.
Customizable plans from one up to 90 days
500 MB per day to share with others
Monitor and manage your data plan through the Holafly app
24/7 customer support

If you’re going on an Asia tour, use Holafly’s regional eSIM for Asia and stay connected in 16 Asian destinations (including Pakistan) as you travel across borders. Or, if you’re planning a long-term stay in Pakistan, consider Holafly’s monthly eSIM subscription service, Holafly Plans. You can get unlimited data for only $64.90 per month (~£47) and unlimited hotspot for your other devices!

Check out our other SIM card guides on how to buy and what the best options are for:

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Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

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