cnic.sims.pk Portal Guide: PTA's Free Online SIM Check
Most people buy a SIM, activate it at a franchise and never think about the paperwork again. Years later, a bank alert, a SIM-limit error or a fraud story makes them wonder how many connections are really registered on their CNIC. PTA built a free tool for exactly that worry: the SIM Information System at cnic.sims.pk. You enter your CNIC, complete a quick check, and see how many SIMs sit against it, operator by operator. This guide covers the whole portal: how to use it, how to read the result, how it differs from the 668 SMS service, and what to do when the numbers don't match your memory.
Open cnic.sims.pk, enter your 13-digit CNIC without dashes, complete the verification and press Submit. The result shows how many SIMs are registered on your CNIC for each mobile company. PTA allows a maximum of 8 SIMs per CNIC for personal use, made up of 5 voice and 3 data. If the count is higher than expected, contact the operator first, then PTA.
The sections below follow the order people usually need them: the steps first, then the result, then the problems. If you already know what you're after, pick a card.
"I just want my SIM count"
Four fields and one button. The steps take under a minute.
Go to the steps →"The count is higher than I expected"
Work out which SIMs are yours and remove the ones that aren't.
Go to the action plan →"The portal isn't working for me"
Common errors, their causes and quick fixes.
Go to troubleshooting →What cnic.sims.pk Is (and Isn't)
cnic.sims.pk is the web address of PTA's SIM Information System. PTA, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, regulates mobile networks in the country, and its public guidance offers two ways to check how many SIMs are registered against your CNIC: visit the website, or send your CNIC number without dashes by SMS to 668.
The landing page is deliberately plain. It asks you to enter your CNIC and click Submit, and it includes a separate option for foreign nationals who need to use a Foreign ID. There is no account to create and no login.
- It is a self-check. The purpose is to let you see what is registered under your own identity.
- It reports counts, not a directory. PTA describes the result as the number of SIMs issued against a CNIC along with the mobile company name. It won't tell you who owns a particular phone number.
- It doesn't change anything. Viewing your count does not block, disown or transfer a SIM. Those actions go through the operator.
The tool matters because of how SIM misuse actually happens. In December 2025, PTA described a raid on a franchise in Sheikhupura that followed a complaint from a woman whose CNIC had repeatedly been used for unauthorised SIM activations. PTA reported seizing 150 SIMs and arresting two people, and it asked citizens to report unauthorised SIMs through its helpline or complaint portal. A quick check is the simplest way to catch that kind of problem early.
Before You Start
A minute of preparation avoids most errors.
- Your CNIC number. It has 13 digits. A card that reads 35202-1234567-1 is typed as 3520212345671, with no dashes or spaces. (That number is only an example.)
- Any device with internet. The portal runs in a normal browser, so you don't need to use the SIM you're curious about, and you don't spend SMS balance.
- Only your own CNIC. The service exists so people can check their own records. Pakistan's cybercrime law, PECA 2016, treats unauthorised use of another person's identity information as an offence.
- The correct address. Type the address yourself instead of tapping a link from a message or advert.
If you'd like a wider walkthrough that also covers SMS and franchise methods, see our step-by-step online SIM owner check tutorial.
Step-by-Step: How to Use cnic.sims.pk
- Open the portal. Type cnic.sims.pk into your browser's address bar. Before entering anything, confirm the address bar shows exactly that domain.
- Enter your CNIC. Type the 13 digits with no dashes or spaces.
- Complete the verification. Solve or tick the human check the page shows. If it fails to load, refresh the page and try again.
- Press Submit. The result normally appears within seconds.
- Read the table. You'll see the SIM count by operator and a total. Compare each line with the SIMs you actually use.
- Save the evidence. Take a screenshot and note the date. A dated record helps if you later need to report a problem. Keep it somewhere private, because it relates to your identity.
A total of four can hide a problem if you only remember three SIMs. Look at each operator's line and match it to a phone or device you can name.
Foreign Nationals: Using the Foreign ID Option
The portal's own instructions say that foreign nationals should click Foreign ID instead of entering a CNIC. If your SIM was registered with a foreign identity document, choose that option and enter the ID in the format the page asks for. If you're unsure which document your SIM was registered against, ask the operator before you try to guess.
How to Read Your Result
The result is a small table. Reading it properly is what turns a curiosity check into a real security check.
| What appears | What it means |
|---|---|
| Operator name | The mobile company holding registrations against your CNIC, such as Jazz, Zong, Ufone or Onic. Telenor Pakistan merged into Ufone's operator, PTML, in July 2026, so ask the operator how a former Telenor line is listed |
| Count per operator | How many SIMs that company has registered on your CNIC |
| Total | The sum across companies, which you compare against the 8-SIM limit |
| Not shown | Actual mobile numbers, owner names and addresses. PTA describes the result as a count with the company name |
Ask yourself three questions when the result appears:
- Does each operator's count match the SIMs you know about, including old numbers?
- Have you counted data SIMs in routers, MiFi devices and dongles?
- Does the total leave room under the limit, or are you already close to it?
If a network you use shows a count of zero, first recheck the digits you typed. If they're right and the count still looks wrong, confirm with the operator rather than assuming the portal is right or wrong. If you're new to CNIC-based checks, our CNIC SIM check overview explains the basics.
cnic.sims.pk vs 668 vs 667 vs the Franchise
PTA-related checks are often mixed up because they use similar short codes. Here is how they differ.
| Method | You provide | You receive | Things to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| cnic.sims.pk | CNIC, or Foreign ID, in a browser | SIM count by operator | No SMS fee. Needs internet |
| SMS to 668 | CNIC without dashes, from any phone | SIM count with company names | PTA notes that charges may apply. Older guides quote about Rs. 2 per SMS |
| MNP to 667 | Sent from the SIM in your phone | Registration details for that one SIM. Guides report name, CNIC and activation date | Paid service, needs credit. Not a count of all your SIMs |
| Operator helpline or franchise | Identity verification, original CNIC in person | Confirmation of your numbers, corrections, blocking | Slower, but the only route to detail on individual numbers |
Use the portal when you want the count without spending balance. Use 668 when you're on a phone without a browser handy. Use 667 only to confirm one SIM's registration; our guide to finding your own number covers the codes for that. For the full picture across every method, see our guide to checking SIM owner details by CNIC.
The 8-SIM Limit, Explained
PTA's public FAQ states that a total of eight SIMs per CNIC can be allowed for personal use, made up of five voice SIMs and three data SIMs. Because PTA describes the limit as five voice plus three data, it's safest to treat them as two separate allowances rather than eight interchangeable slots.
Your count matters for three practical reasons:
- Forgotten data SIMs still count. A SIM sitting in an old router or dongle takes up an allowance. Our number-check guide explains how to find a dongle or router SIM's number.
- A full allowance blocks new SIMs. If you're at the limit, you'll need to free one before getting another.
- The registered name carries responsibility. If a SIM on your CNIC is used for something illegal, you're the person on record and may end up explaining it.
Your portal total is the number to compare with eight. To find out which of your SIMs are voice and which are data, check with the operator.
If the Count Looks Higher Than Expected
A higher count is common and often innocent. Old SIMs, forgotten data connections and numbers bought for family members all add up. Work through this plan in order.
- List what you own. Write down your current phones, old numbers, router and dongle SIMs, and any SIMs you bought for relatives or staff.
- Match the list to the operators. The portal shows counts per company, so it tells you which network to investigate first.
- Contact that operator. Use the helpline on the company's official site: Jazz, Zong, Ufone or Onic. Telenor Pakistan merged into PTML (Ufone 5G) in July 2026, so former Telenor customers should use Ufone's support channels. PTA's guidance is that a customer can ask the operator to remove extra SIMs after a data mismatch. For network-specific steps, see our Zong SIM owner details guide.
- Visit a franchise with your original CNIC. Staff can confirm which numbers are registered on your CNIC and help you correct or block the ones you don't recognise.
- Treat unknown SIMs as unauthorised. Ask the operator to block and investigate them, then report to PTA (see below).
- Keep your evidence. Save the portal screenshot, complaint reference numbers and the dates of every call or visit.
- Check again. Run the portal again after the operator confirms changes, and compare the new count with the old screenshot.
For a broader explanation of what the totals mean, read our guide on how many SIMs are registered on your CNIC.
The 365-Day Disowning Rule
In May 2026, PTA changed how quickly a SIM can be removed from your name. Media reports said the disowning period rose from 60 days to 365 days, so a newly activated SIM can now only be disowned after one year. A senior PTA official later confirmed the change to Geo's fact-check team.
The practical lessons are simple:
- Activate only what you'll keep. A SIM you register today stays tied to your name for a year, even if you stop using it.
- Be careful during biometric verification. PTA's advisory urges caution when giving biometric verification for SIM issuance.
- Never let others register SIMs on your CNIC. Once activated, the SIM is yours to answer for.
The rule is described in terms of newly activated SIMs. A SIM you never activated is a different situation: report it as an unauthorised registration and ask the operator how it will be handled, instead of filing an ordinary disown request. PTA's advisory doesn't list exceptions, so confirm the current process with the operator.
Reporting an Unauthorised SIM to PTA
PTA's press releases repeatedly ask citizens to report unauthorised SIMs through its helpline, 0800-55055, or its online complaint portal. A sensible order is:
- Report to the operator first. Ask for a complaint reference number and write down the date and the name of the person you spoke to.
- File with PTA. Use the PTA complaint portal or call the toll-free line, 0800-55055.
- Attach your proof. Add the portal screenshot, your CNIC details as requested, and the operator's reference number.
- Follow up. Quote your PTA reference number whenever you contact either office.
If someone calls claiming to be from PTA or a network and asks for an OTP or fingerprint, don't give it. Hang up and contact the official helpline yourself.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Page loads slowly or not at all | Heavy traffic or a weak connection | Retry later, switch networks or browsers, or use the 668 SMS instead |
| CNIC rejected | Dashes, spaces or a mistyped digit | Type all 13 digits with no dashes or spaces |
| Verification won't pass | The check timed out | Reload the page and complete the check again |
| Result shows zero for a network you use | A typing error, or a registration under another identity | Recheck the digits, then confirm with the operator |
| Result shows more than you expected | Old, data or unauthorised SIMs | Follow the action plan above |
| You need the actual numbers | The portal reports counts only | Ask the operator or visit a franchise with your original CNIC |
| You hold a foreign ID | Wrong option selected | Click Foreign ID on the portal |
Fake Portals and How to Stay Safe
Because the search involves your CNIC, it attracts imitators. A few habits keep you safe.
- Check the domain letter by letter. The address should read cnic.sims.pk exactly. PTA's notices point people to this address and to the 668 SMS.
- Type it yourself. Don't use links from WhatsApp, SMS or adverts.
- Refuse extras. A genuine check asks for your CNIC and a verification step, not an OTP, fingerprint, payment or app install.
- Avoid "live owner data" tools. Sites that promise the owner's name or address for any number aren't PTA services, and using someone else's identity details can be an offence. Our Pak Sim Data fact-check explains how they work.
- Keep screenshots private. They relate to your identity, so don't post them publicly.
If a site asks you to pay, download an app or share an OTP before showing your SIM count, close it. The official portal is the address above and nothing else.
Make It a Habit
A five-minute check every few months keeps surprises small. It is worth doing again in these situations:
- after you lose your CNIC or hand a photocopy to someone
- after buying, porting or replacing a SIM
- before you apply for a new data SIM, router or eSIM
- after any franchise visit where your biometrics were used
Save each dated screenshot in one private folder. Then a change in the count is easy to spot. To put your own number in one place too, see our guide to finding your own number.
cnic.sims.pk Portal: FAQs
What is cnic.sims.pk?
Is cnic.sims.pk official and free?
Does it show my actual mobile numbers?
Can I check someone else's CNIC?
How many SIMs can one CNIC have?
What is the 365-day SIM rule?
Should I use the portal or 668?
What if it shows SIMs I don't recognise?
I'm a foreign national. Can I use it?
How often should I check?
Ready to Check Your CNIC?
Run the check, compare the count with your SIMs, and read our master guide if anything looks off.
Related guides: SIM Owner Details (main guide) · Check SIM Owner Details by CNIC · SIM Owner Details Online Check · Number Details Check · Check Zong SIM Owner Details · CNIC SIM Check.
Note: PTA rules, fees and short-code charges can change. Confirm current details on pta.gov.pk or with your operator. This site is independent and is not a PTA service.