Pakistan’s telecom regulator has extended the minimum validity of prepaid mobile balance and recharges from 30 days to 180 days, giving users significantly more time to use their balance.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said the new rule will take effect on October 1, 2026 and will apply to all mobile operators. Under the new policy, expired balance will be automatically restored when a user recharges, provided the SIM remains active.

The move will particularly benefit prepaid customers who recharge infrequently, as their unused balance will no longer expire after 30 days.

What Changes for Mobile Users?

Previously, prepaid users generally had a 30-day validity period for their recharge balance. Under the new rules, the minimum validity will increase to 180 days.

If a balance expires during this period, the user can recover the expired amount by recharging, as long as the SIM remains operational.

The PTA said the measure is aimed at strengthening consumer protection and promoting a fairer environment in the telecom sector.

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