New Year Lock 365-Day SIM Rule in Pakistan-No Disown or Transfer SIM

The 365-Day SIM Rule: No Disown or Transfer SIM for a Year

Pakistan has introduced an important change to its SIM registration policy. Under the new 365-Day SIM Rule, a newly activated SIM card cannot be disowned or transferred to another person for one full year after activation. This rule was introduced by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to improve mobile security, reduce illegal SIM usage, and prevent identity fraud. The restriction replaces the previous 60-day period and aims to make SIM ownership more secure.

What Is the 365-Day SIM Rule?

The 365-Day SIM Rule means that once a SIM card is activated using your CNIC and biometric verification, it remains linked to your identity for one full year.

What Changed?

Previously: SIM could be disowned after 60 days.

Now: SIM can only be disowned after 365 days from activation.

What the 365-day rule actually says

If you activate a SIM today, you cannot remove it from your CNIC or transfer it to another person for 365 days. The one-year period starts from the SIM activation date, not the date you purchased the SIM. There is no single national start date. Every SIM has its own separate 365-day countdown.

You can check the activation date of your SIM on the Pakistan SIM Information System The activation date is shown next to each mobile number registered under your CNIC. Until the 365-day period is complete, you cannot disown or transfer that SIM. Apart from this restriction, your SIM continues to work normally for calls, messages, and mobile data.

The Paper Trail: Gazette to Geo Fact Check

The following timeline shows how the 365-day SIM rule was officially confirmed:

11 May 2026 – Gazette Letter No. L-7646: The government updated the SIM registration regulations.

24 May 2026 – PTA Advisory: PTA officially announced the new 365-day SIM disowning and transfer rule.

25 May 2026 – News Coverage: National newspapers and trusted news websites reported the new rule.

4 June 2026 – Geo Fact Check: Geo Fact Check verified the claim with a PTA Director General and confirmed that the 365-day SIM rule is true.

Summary

The rule is based on official government documents.
PTA has officially announced the policy.
Trusted news organizations have confirmed the update.
The 365-day SIM rule is an official policy, not a social media rumor.

Is the 365-Day SIM Rule Official?

Yes. The 365-day SIM rule is official. It was introduced through government documents and later confirmed by the PTA. It is not a social media rumor or a fake WhatsApp message.

The rule was first added to the SIM registration regulations through an official government notification. After that, PTA shared a public advisory to inform mobile users. News websites also reported the update, and later Geo Fact Check confirmed that the information was correct after verifying it with a PTA official.

These updates from the government, PTA, and trusted news sources clearly show that the 365-day SIM rule is real and currently in effect. If you activate a new SIM, you must wait one year before you can disown it or transfer it to another person.

Why Did PTA Lock New SIMs for One Year?

PTA introduced the 365-day SIM rule to reduce fraud and improve mobile security in Pakistan. In the past, criminals used SIM cards registered with someone else’s CNIC. They often got these SIMs by using stolen personal information or fake documents. After using the SIM for illegal activities, they quickly removed it from one person’s name or transferred it to another. This made it difficult for authorities to trace the real users.

To stop this misuse, PTA now requires every newly activated SIM to stay registered in the same person’s name for 365 days. During this one year, the SIM cannot be disowned or transferred to another person. This gives enough time to identify suspicious activity, investigate complaints, and take legal action if needed.

The 365-day rule is also part of PTA’s wider efforts to make SIM registration safer. Other security measures include:

Limiting the number of SIMs that can be registered on one CNIC.
Adding extra verification before issuing new SIMs.
Introducing waiting periods for certain SIM-related services.

These rules help protect people’s identities, reduce illegal SIM use, and make Pakistan’s mobile network more secure.

What Can You Still Do During the 365-Day Lock?

Even though you cannot disown or transfer a newly activated SIM for one year, you can still use many other SIM services.

You can still:

Block your SIM if your phone is lost or stolen.
Report an unknown SIM if you find a number registered on your CNIC that does not belong to you.
File a fraud complaint with the NCCIA if someone has misused your identity or SIM.
Check the SIMs linked to your CNIC by sending your 13-digit CNIC number (without dashes) to 668.
View your registered SIMs through the official num.com.pk portal.
Disown older SIMs that have already completed the 365-day period.
Verify your SIM using your mobile network’s biometric verification service.
Use your SIM normally for calls, SMS, mobile data, and other services.

What You Cannot Do During the 365 Days

You cannot disown a newly activated SIM.
You cannot transfer the SIM to another person’s CNIC.

The 365-day rule only limits SIM disowning and ownership transfer. It does not stop you from using your SIM or accessing other important SIM-related services.

Quick Comparison

Previous Rule	New Rule
60-day restriction	365-day restriction
Easier SIM disowning	One-year ownership lock
Lower security	Better security
Higher misuse risk	Lower misuse risk

Why Did PTA Introduce This Rule?

The new policy encourages people to keep only SIMs that actually belong to them. PTA introduced this policy to strengthen telecom security. Its main goals are:

Prevent illegal SIM registrations
Reduce identity theft
Stop biometric misuse
Control fake SIM activation
Reduce financial fraud
Improve national security
Increase accountability of SIM owners

How to Check SIMs Registered Against Your CNIC

PTA recommends checking your registered SIMs regularly.

Visit the official SIM information portal and enter your CNIC.
Send your 13-digit CNIC number (without dashes) to 668 through SMS (charges may apply).

What Happens If Someone Misuses Your CNIC?

If you find a SIM that you did not register:

Contact your mobile operator immediately.
Visit the nearest franchise.
Report the unauthorized SIM.
Request verification and further guidance.

Taking quick action helps protect your identity.

Benefits of the 365-Day SIM Rule

The new policy offers several advantages:

Better security
Stronger identity protection
Fewer fake SIMs
Reduced online fraud
More responsible SIM ownership
Better telecom record management
Increased public safety

Possible Limitations

Some users may experience:

Longer waiting period before disowning
Less flexibility in ownership changes
Need to be more careful before buying a new SIM

However, these limitations are intended to improve security for everyone.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these mistakes:

Registering SIMs for friends or relatives
Sharing biometric verification
Buying SIMs from unauthorized sellers
Ignoring unknown SIMs on your CNIC
Forgetting to verify your registered SIMs

Myths vs Facts

Myth	Fact
The SIM can be transferred anytime.	It cannot be transferred within 365 days.
The rule applies only to one operator.	It applies across Pakistan under PTA policy.
Biometric verification is optional.	Biometric verification is required for SIM issuance.
Unknown SIMs are harmless.	They should be reported immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 365 day SIM rule in Pakistan?

The 365 day SIM rule is a PTA policy that does not allow a newly activated SIM to be disowned or transferred to another person for one year.

Does this rule apply to all mobile networks in Pakistan?

Yes. The rule applies to all mobile network operators working under PTA regulations.

Does the rule apply to old SIM cards?

The one year restriction applies to newly activated SIMs. Older SIMs that have already completed one year are not affected by this waiting period.

Can I block my SIM if my phone is lost?

Yes. You can contact your mobile network and block your SIM if your phone is lost or stolen.

How do I know when my SIM completes one year?

You can check the SIM activation date on the official cnic.sims.pk portal. Once 365 days have passed from that date, you can request to disown or transfer the SIM.

Why did PTA introduce the 365 day SIM rule?

PTA introduced the rule to reduce fraud, prevent illegal SIM registration, stop identity misuse, and improve mobile security.

Can I register a SIM using someone else’s CNIC?

No. A SIM should only be registered using the CNIC and biometric verification of the actual owner.

Can I deactivate my SIM during the one year?

You should contact your mobile operator to request deactivation. However, ownership cannot be removed or transferred until the 365-day period is complete.

What happens after 365 days

After one year from the activation date, you can request to disown the SIM or transfer it to another person’s CNIC according to PTA rules.

Conclusion

The 365-Day SIM Rule is an important update to Pakistan’s SIM registration system. Under this PTA policy, a newly activated SIM must remain registered in the same person’s name for 365 days before it can be disowned or transferred. The one-year period starts from the SIM activation date, not the purchase date, and each SIM has its own separate countdown.

The main purpose of this rule is to reduce fraud, prevent identity misuse, and improve the security of mobile users across Pakistan. During the 365 days, you can continue using your SIM for calls, SMS, and mobile data as usual.

To avoid future problems, always buy SIMs from authorized mobile franchises, complete biometric verification using your own CNIC, and regularly check the SIMs registered against your identity through the official Pakistan SIM Information System.

The 365-Day SIM Rule: No Disown or Transfer Sim for a Year