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The Best Prepaid SIM Cards in Pakistan in 2024

Jarrod Suda

Guide

Apr 21, 2024
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These days, it’s almost impossible to imagine visiting a foreign country without mobile connection. You may need to call a rideshare, find your hotel on maps, connect to the internet when away from Wi-Fi, or translate signs in a foreign language.

However, using international roaming with your home carrier to get data could cost hundreds of dollars. This is why prepaid eSIM cards are the fastest growing option for international tourists who own an eSIM-compatible device.

In this guide, you’ll find the 5 best prepaid SIM and eSIM options available for tourists in Pakistan in 2024, including their pricing and data plans. Let’s get going!

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Airalo is our top choice to avoid expensive international roaming fees. Airalo offers eSIMs tailored to you, from 5 days up to months at a time, covering hundreds of countries, with both multi-country and various GB plans available.

✨ New customers get 15% off with MONITO15. Existing ones can use MONITO10 for 10% off.

Facts About Prepaid SIMs in Pakistan

📞 Need a local phone number?
🌐 Only need access to data?

Get an eSIM instead

📱 Does your phone accept eSIMs?
📊 Unlimited data for 1 days

$6 with Holafly

💸 1GB for 7 days

$4.50 with Airalo

🌟 20GB for 30

$32 with Airalo

Where to Buy Physical Prepaid SIM Cards For Pakistan

Getting a prepaid SIM card in Pakistan is somewhat complicated for tourists but manageable if you go to official franchise stores.

Anete Lūsiņa A man standing in an airport looking up at a flight schedule

1. pakistan Airports

It is not possible to buy a SIM card at Karachi, Lahore, or Islamabad Airports.

2. Network Provider Retail Stores in Pakistan

Tourists must visit an official franchise store of a mobile internet provider, such as Jazz, Telenor, or Zong, to register and activate a SIM card, as street phone stores cannot provide this service.

3. Online

You could also consider having a physical prepaid SIM card shipped to your house before you travel by shopping on online sites (like Amazon). You’ll often find destination-specific travel SIM cards that partner with the large pakistan networks (like Jazz or Telenor Pakistan) to connect your phone to mobile data.

Alternatively, you could consider buying a portable Wi-Fi hotspot device.

Shopping online requires a little travel pre-planning but allows you to search around for better prices and data plans that meet your needs.

The easiest online option, and the one that we highly recommend, is to purchase an eSIM. These digital SIMs can be instantly activated straight from your smartphone from apps like Airalo and Holafly, which then give you seamless access to data in your travel destination.

Cheap Physical Prepaid SIM Card Options For Pakistan Travel

Here are some of the most popular options for plastic SIM cards for tourists in Pakistan:

1. Jazz

Jazz offers a SIM card for 300 PKR, which includes activation and registration, with various prepaid plans available.

Key packages include 12 GB data, 70 minutes, and 5,000 SMS for 260 PKR (7 days); 7 GB data, 150 minutes, and 3,000 SMS for 636 PKR (30 days); and 15 GB data, 150 minutes, and 5,000 SMS for 800 PKR (30 days).

2. Telenor Pakistan

Telenor provides a prepaid SIM card for 200 PKR, covering activation and registration, with several package options.

These include 4 GB data for 110 PKR (7 days); 8 GB data for 185 PKR (7 days); 30 GB data and 5,000 minutes for 265 PKR (7 days, with 15 GB from 1am-1pm); 20 GB data for 450 PKR (30 days, with 10 GB from 12am-8am); and 18 GB data and 5,000 minutes for 715 PKR (30 days, with 9 GB from 1am-1pm).

Best Digital Prepaid e-SIMs For Tourists in Pakistan

Want to ditch physical plastic SIM cards? You can conveniently download and active the following international eSIMs from your smartphone instead.

1. Airalo

Airalo is an excellent eSIM provider for international travel. For Pakistan, they offer eSIMs from 1GB for 7 days at $4.50 up to 20GB for 30 days at $32, and other plans in between. It was super easy for us to set up in the app and purchase instantly.

More info: Read our Airalo review or visit their website.

2. Holafly

Holafly offers unlimited data volume packages for international travel. Holafly's data packages for Pakistan cost between $6 and $139 once off and are valid from 1 to 90 days, offering peace of mind that you'll never run out of data.

Although Holafly offers unlimited data in most countries, including Pakistan, if you're a globetrotter, it's worth keeping in mind that Holafly offers limited data plans to some other destinations. Be sure to check their website or app before traveling to a new country to confirm whether Holafly's unlimited packages apply.

More info: Read our Holafly review or visit their website.

3. Yesim

Yesim, a Swiss-based eSIM service, offers flexible plans for 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB. The pricing of these eSIMs for Pakistan range from $11 to $40.70.

The 3GB plan is good for 7 days while the 5GB one is good for 15 days. The 15GB and 30GB plans both last for 30 days.

More info: Read our Yesim review or visit their website.

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To make sure your phone can support eSIM cards, read our list of eSIM-compatible phones.

Largest Mobile Network Operators in Pakistan

eSIMs are great because they connect to the best network available wherever you are. Your phone might connect to Jazz or Telenor Pakistan, depending on your location, at no extra cost. In contrast, if you buy a SIM card directly from one pakistan telecom provider, then your phone will only access that provider's network.

In Pakistan, expect to see these names as you connect to data on your travels:

  1. Zong: Known for its innovative services and expansive network coverage, Zong provides reliable connectivity solutions across Pakistan.
  2. Telenor Pakistan: Telenor is recognized for its extensive network and competitive pricing, serving customers with reliable connectivity.
  3. Jazz: Renowned for its widespread coverage and high-speed internet, Jazz offers affordable mobile services nationwide.

Registration Process For Prepaid SIM Cards in Pakistan

In Pakistan, registration is necessary, and you'll need to show your passport to the issuer. 

It's worth noting that an increasing number of countries are requiring registration from mobile phone users for security reasons, where purchasing a prepaid SIM card requires consumers to provide proof of identity.

For the countries that have these Know-Your-Customer (KYC) laws, registration will also apply to eSIMs. However, eSIMs do have the benefit of digital registration as opposed to the hassle of an in-person process. If your eSIM is data only (no local phone number), then you may be able to get connected without registering your info.

Frequently Asked Questions About Prepaid SIM Cards For Travel in Pakistan

Compare more than 154+ eSIMs packages for your next trip to Pakistan:

  • Where are you going?
  • How long is your trip?
  • How much data do you need?
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  1. Total data

    5 GB

    $5.74

    $6.38

    Data only
    30 days
    Pakistan
    10% off with code MONITO
  2. Total data

    5 GB

    $6.29

    Data only
    15 days
    52 countries
    500 YOYO$ with code MONITO
  3. Total data

    5 GB

    $8.09

    Data only
    30 days
    19 countries
    500 YOYO$ with code MONITO

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