Six-month validity set for mobile prepaid recharges

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed cellular mobile operators to provide prepaid subscribers with at least 180 days’ validity on every recharge or balance, while requiring expired balances to be automatically restored after a subsequent recharge. The decision will take effect on October 1, 2026.

According to the PTA’s determination, around 97 percent of mobile subscribers in Pakistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan use prepaid services. The regulator said the forfeiture of unused balances particularly affects low-income consumers and causes direct financial losses.

Under the new rules, operators must provide a minimum 180-day validity for all prepaid balances. Any balance expiring while a SIM remains active must also be reinstated automatically following the next recharge. Operators have been barred from using unfair commercial practices in implementing the policy.

The decision follows complaints over the loss of unused balances. Public consultations showed strong support for permanent balance validity and CNIC-based restoration or refunds.

However, most operators opposed the CNIC mechanism, citing technical challenges, fraud risks, ownership disputes and higher costs.

Jazz said it already offers lifetime balance validity, while Telenor, PTML and CMPak raised concerns over indefinite validity. The PTA nevertheless stressed the need to protect consumers from permanent balance loss.