PTA proposes end to prepaid mobile balance expiry

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has proposed ending the practice of prepaid mobile balance expiry, suggesting that users’ remaining balance should stay valid for the entire active life of their SIM cards.

The proposal, issued through a consultation paper, seeks public and industry feedback by March 16, 2026, and could significantly reshape Pakistan’s prepaid-dominated mobile market, where nearly 97% of subscribers use prepaid services.

PTA noted that many Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) currently forfeit or confiscate unused prepaid balance after expiry of validity periods ranging from 30 days to 365 days, depending on recharge amount.

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This has led to consumer complaints, particularly from users who maintain low balances, use secondary SIMs, travel abroad, or temporarily suspend usage due to personal circumstances.

“Prepaid balance represents money paid in advance by consumers and should be treated as the subscriber’s own funds rather than operator revenue,” the regulator emphasised.

Citing international best practices, PTA referenced policies in the United Kingdom where operators like Vodafone UK allow prepaid balances to remain valid as long as the SIM is active, and even permit refunds of unused credit within a specified period after disconnection.

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Under the proposed framework:

• Prepaid balance would remain valid for the entire active life of the SIM, as defined under PTA’s SOP on SIM sale and activation.

• Balance would be linked to the subscriber’s Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC).

• If a SIM is deactivated and no other SIM exists on the same network under that CNIC, the remaining balance would:

1. Be restored upon issuance of a new SIM on the same network,
2. Be refunded via bank transfer or mobile wallet, subject to CNIC verification and KYC requirements.

The PTA has invited comments from cellular operators, telecom subscribers, and the general public before finalising its decision.

Feedback can be submitted to the Director (Commercial Affairs) at PTA Headquarters in Islamabad.