Your CNIC is not just a national identity document — in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem, it is the master key linked to your bank accounts, mobile wallets, government services, and every registered communication channel you use.
Every SIM card registered against your CNIC becomes, in the eyes of the law, your personal responsibility. This makes a regular CNIC SIM check one of the most critical digital security habits every Pakistani citizen should practice.
If someone registers a SIM using your CNIC — whether through a fraudulent biometric, a stolen identity document, or a corrupt registration process the consequences can be severe.
That unauthorized SIM can be used to commit financial fraud via mobile banking, execute SIM-swap attacks on your bank accounts, conduct criminal activity under your name, and trigger PTA’s automated DIRBS system to block all SIMs associated with your CNIC — including your legitimate ones.
Under Pakistani law, you are legally responsible for every SIM registered against your CNIC until you formally report and disown it. The law does not automatically exempt you from liability simply because you were unaware of the unauthorized registration. This is why a CNIC SIM check is not just a convenience — it is a legal and financial safeguard.
PTA strongly encourages all subscribers to perform a CNIC SIM check at least once every three months.
Method 1: SMS Your CNIC to 668
This is the simplest and most accessible method for a CNIC SIM check — it works on any phone, including basic feature phones, without requiring an internet connection.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Open your messaging or SMS app on any phone with a Pakistani SIM
- Type your 13-digit CNIC number without dashes or spaces (for example: 3520212345678)
- Send the message to 668
- Within seconds, you will receive an automated reply from PTA showing the number of active SIMs registered under your CNIC, broken down by operator
A typical reply looks like: “Jazz: 2 active. Zong: 1 active. Ufone: 0. Telenor: 1 active. SCOM: 0. Total: 4.”
The 668 service costs Rs. 2 plus applicable taxes per query. While there is a small charge, it is the only CNIC SIM check method that works entirely without internet access — making it the most reliable option in areas with limited or no data connectivity.
Method 2: Visit rashidminhas.com.pk
For those with internet access, PTA provides rashidminhas.com.pk — a free official web portal that delivers the same CNIC SIM check result as 668, with additional detail and at zero cost.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Open any web browser on any device — mobile or desktop
- Visit rashidminhas.com.pk
- Enter your 13-digit CNIC number in the input field (no dashes, no spaces)
- Complete the CAPTCHA verification
- View a detailed table of all SIMs registered under your CNIC, with operator names and registration dates
This portal is entirely free of charge. It typically provides more granular information than the 668 SMS method — including printable documentation that is accepted in formal legal proceedings and operator complaints. Because it pulls directly from PTA’s live national SIM registry, the data is always current.
rashidminhas.com.pk is also fully accessible from outside Pakistan, making it the primary CNIC SIM check tool for overseas Pakistanis.
Method 3: Network-Specific USSD Codes
Each major Pakistani operator offers a USSD code for a quick SIM check on their specific network. These codes are free and work directly from the operator’s SIM:
| Operator | USSD Code | What It Returns |
|---|---|---|
| Jazz | *336# | Jazz SIM details for your active line |
| Zong | *310# or *8# | Zong account and SIM status |
| Telenor / Onic | *345# | Telenor SIM and account information |
| Ufone | *333# | Ufone account and SIM status |
| SCOM | Contact helpline 711 | SCOM SIM information |
These USSD codes are useful for a quick per-network check on individual SIMs you already own. However, they cannot replace a full CNIC SIM check via 668 or cnic.sims.pk — which covers all operators simultaneously and reveals SIMs registered on your CNIC that you may not be aware of at all.
Your CNIC SIM Check Results
Once you have your 668 or cnic.sims.pk results, interpret them as follows:
Scenario 1 — All counts match your known SIMs: Your CNIC is clean. Keep a record of the results (screenshot or note) and recheck every 2 to 3 months. No action required.
Scenario 2 — Counts are higher than expected: For example, PTA says Jazz: 4 but you only use 2 Jazz SIMs. The extra SIMs have been registered on your CNIC without your knowledge or consent. These may be actively used for fraud, spam calls, SIM-swap attacks, or criminal activity — all traceable back to your CNIC. Immediate action is required.
Scenario 3 — An operator appears with SIMs you never used: For example, Zong shows 2 active SIMs but you have never owned a Zong SIM. This is a clear sign of fraudulent registration and must be reported and disowned immediately.
Scenario 4 — The total count equals or exceeds PTA’s 2026 SIM limit: PTA’s 2026 rules allow a maximum of 8 SIMs per CNIC (5 voice + 3 data-only). If the 668 reply shows a total that meets or exceeds 8 and you do not personally own that many, your CNIC is at immediate risk of full suspension.
PTA SIM Limit Per CNIC Pakistan
What to Do If You Find Unauthorised SIMs
If your CNIC SIM check reveals SIMs you did not register, take these steps immediately — do not delay, as every day the unauthorized SIM remains active increases your legal and financial exposure:
- Identify the operator from the 668 reply (Jazz, Zong, Telenor, Ufone, or SCOM)
- Visit the operator’s nearest Customer Service Centre (CSC) or franchise — bring your original CNIC (not a photocopy)
- Request formal disowning or forced blocking of the unauthorized SIM — tell the representative you want to disown a SIM registered on your CNIC without your consent
- Complete biometric verification at the franchise to authenticate your identity
- Sign the disowning declaration form — the operator will process it and notify the unauthorized SIM’s user that their connection is being removed
- Wait 15 to 20 days, then re-check via 668 or cnic.sims.pk to confirm the count has dropped
If the operator does not cooperate or delays the process:
File a formal complaint with PTA at complaint.pta.gov.pk or call the free helpline at 0800-55055. PTA’s consumer affairs division has the authority to mandate operator compliance.
If criminal activity is linked to the unauthorized SIM:
File a complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at complaint.fia.gov.pk or call 9911. The FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing handles SIM fraud, identity theft, and mobile-based financial crimes.
Never attempt to handle an unauthorized SIM through third-party apps, private agents, or any unofficial intermediary. Every legitimate step in this process runs directly through the operator and PTA.
How to Deactivate Extra SIMs in Pakistan
CNIC SIM Check for Overseas Pakistanis
Performing a CNIC SIM check while living or working abroad is straightforward through PTA’s online portal. Visit cnic.sims.pk from any browser, anywhere in the world, and enter your CNIC to receive an immediate view of all active SIMs registered under your name across all Pakistani operators.
This remote access is critical for overseas Pakistanis, who are among the most common victims of SIM fraud targeting inactive or infrequently monitored CNICs. Fraudulent SIMs registered on overseas Pakistanis’ CNICs are often used for mobile wallet fraud, USSD-based banking attacks, and social engineering scams targeting their families in Pakistan.
If you discover unauthorized SIMs while abroad:
- Use PTA’s overseas complaint portal at pta.gov.pk to initiate a formal complaint
- Contact the relevant operator’s customer service team via their official website or overseas helpline
- Appoint a trusted representative in Pakistan with a notarized authorization letter to visit the operator’s franchise on your behalf
- Initiate biometric-based disowning as soon as you return to Pakistan
For NICOP holders (overseas Pakistani CNICs), the CNIC SIM check process via cnic.sims.pk works the same way — enter your 13-digit NICOP number to retrieve your full SIM registration picture.
How Often Should You Perform a CNIC SIM Check?
PTA recommends regular CNIC SIM checks for all subscribers. Based on the fraud patterns documented by PTA and the FIA, the following schedule is advisable:
- Every month: For individuals who have recently received suspicious calls, experienced mobile banking issues, or noticed unusual activity on any of their accounts
- Every 3 months: For general subscribers as a routine security audit
- Immediately: After losing your CNIC or NICOP, after any period when your identity documents were out of your possession, or after returning from a long trip abroad
- After any operator notification: If you receive an unsolicited SMS about a new SIM, a PUK request, or an MNP confirmation you did not initiate
One 30-second check every month via 668 or cnic.sims.pk is all it takes to stay ahead of SIM fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check SIMs on someone else’s CNIC?
No. For privacy and security reasons, you can only check the SIMs registered under your own CNIC. Accessing another person’s SIM data is a criminal offence under PECA 2016 Sections 3, 4, and 16.
How often should I perform a CNIC SIM check?
At least once every three months as a minimum. PTA recommends more frequent checks — ideally monthly — to ensure no unauthorized SIMs have been linked to your identity since your last check.
What if I cannot access the online portal or SMS service?
Visit the nearest Customer Service Centre of any major mobile operator with your original CNIC. They can perform an in-person CNIC SIM check and initiate any necessary disowning or deactivation immediately.
Does a CNIC SIM check show the actual mobile numbers?
The 668 SMS service shows counts per operator — not the full mobile numbers. The cnic.sims.pk portal may display partial number information in some cases. For specific number details, visit the relevant operator’s franchise in person with your original CNIC.
Is a CNIC SIM check free?
rashidminhas.com.pk is completely free. The 668 SMS service costs Rs. 2 plus applicable taxes per query. Operator USSD codes (*336#, *310#, etc.) are also free for checking your own active line on that specific network.