The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has proposed mandatory registration for Travel SIM and eSIM providers operating in Pakistan. The move aims to bring international roaming services under a formal regulatory framework.
Under the draft International Roaming (Inbound) Regulations, 2026, providers must register with the PTA before operating in Pakistan. The proposed rules cover businesses offering Travel SIM cards and eSIM services to international travellers.
According to the draft regulations, individuals and companies cannot operate as Travel SIM or eSIM aggregators without prior approval. Applicants must submit registration forms, pay the required fees, and provide supporting documents.
They must also disclose details about their foreign mobile operators, network providers, and distribution channels. Additionally, providers must identify a local contact person for communication with the regulatory authority.
PTA Proposes New Rules for Travel SIM Services
The proposed regulations would establish clear requirements for distributing and activating Travel SIM cards and eSIM profiles. Registered providers would need valid agreements with licensed operators or foreign home operators.
The framework also includes annual registration fees, security deposits, and renewal requirements. Providers would need to maintain their registration and comply with the authority’s conditions.
The PTA would have the power to suspend or cancel registrations if companies failed to follow the proposed rules. These measures aim to improve oversight of international roaming services in Pakistan.
The proposed framework would apply to providers operating within the scope of the draft regulations. However, the requirements remain subject to the consultation and formal notification process.
Data Sharing and Customer Verification Requirements
The draft regulations would introduce new data-sharing obligations for registered providers. Companies would need to report information about issued and activated SIM cards and eSIM profiles.
They would also have to provide details about customer identity verification and usage summaries. These requirements aim to improve subscriber traceability and monitoring.
The PTA may also direct providers to connect their systems to a designated online portal or application programming interface (API). This would allow the authority to receive information in near real time or through periodic reports.
The proposed reporting system could help the regulator monitor subscriber activations more effectively. It would also support oversight of international roaming services and their users.
Security Concerns Behind the Proposed Regulations
The PTA’s proposal follows concerns about foreign travel eSIMs being activated in Pakistan without local identity verification. This situation may create challenges for subscriber identification and monitoring.
According to the concerns outlined in the proposal, limited verification could increase risks related to financial fraud. It could also make it harder for authorities to trace subscribers when necessary.
The proposed rules aim to address these issues through registration, reporting, and compliance requirements. The authority intends to establish a more structured system for providers offering international roaming services.
However, the draft regulations have not yet completed the formal approval process. Their final requirements may change following feedback from relevant stakeholders.
PTA Opens Consultation on Draft Regulations
The PTA has started a consultation process to collect feedback from stakeholders. Industry participants and other relevant parties can share their views on the proposed regulatory framework.
The authority may revise the draft regulations after reviewing the responses. Any final rules would then be formally notified in the official Gazette.
The regulations would come into effect after the required formal notification. Until then, the proposed registration and reporting requirements remain part of the draft framework.
The development could affect companies offering Travel SIM cards and eSIM services to international visitors. Providers may need to review their existing arrangements if the proposed requirements become effective.
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The final impact will depend on the regulations formally approved and notified by the PTA.
