The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is working with mobile network operators to reduce the prices of eSIMs across the country. The move aims to encourage more users to switch to digital SIM technology and support Pakistan’s growing digital ecosystem.
PTA Chairman Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman shared the update while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat. He said discussions with telecom operators are ongoing to make eSIMs more affordable for consumers.
Currently, the activation fee for an eSIM is around Rs. 2,000. According to the PTA chairman, the regulator is working to reduce this cost to between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 1,500. This would lower prices by as much as 50 percent.
The PTA believes that lower prices will encourage more people to adopt eSIMs. As demand increases, mobile operators may further reduce prices over time, making the technology even more accessible.
An eSIM is a digital version of a traditional SIM card. Instead of inserting a physical SIM into a phone, users can activate a mobile connection electronically. This technology offers greater convenience and flexibility, especially for people who frequently change networks or travel internationally.
Many modern smartphones already support eSIM technology. Devices from leading manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung are compatible with digital SIM services, allowing users to activate mobile plans without replacing physical SIM cards.
During the committee meeting, the PTA chairman also clarified the authority’s role regarding taxes on mobile phones. He explained that the PTA does not impose taxes on imported or locally manufactured devices.
Instead, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is responsible for setting and collecting taxes on mobile phones. The PTA’s responsibility is limited to regulating the telecommunications sector and promoting digital connectivity.
The chairman also informed the committee that Pakistan manufactures around 25 million mobile phones each year. However, premium devices such as Apple and Samsung smartphones are mainly imported and remain subject to applicable customs duties and taxes.
He further warned that high taxes on smartphones could slow the adoption of advanced mobile technologies, including 5G services. According to the PTA, expensive devices may discourage consumers from upgrading to phones that support faster mobile networks.
The regulator believes affordable smartphones and lower eSIMs prices will help accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformation. Increased adoption of digital technologies could also improve internet access and support future telecom services.
The PTA continues to work with industry stakeholders to create a more consumer-friendly telecom market. Reducing the cost of eSIMs is one of several steps aimed at encouraging innovation and expanding digital services across the country.
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If discussions with mobile operators are successful, consumers could soon benefit from lower eSIM activation charges. The initiative is expected to support wider use of digital SIM technology while helping Pakistan prepare for the future rollout of 5G and other advanced mobile services.
