There’s one number every mobile user in Pakistan should know: how many SIMs are registered against their CNIC right now. Not approximately — exactly. Because every SIM on your CNIC is legally yours, including the ones you didn’t buy. This guide shows the three official, free ways to get that number, and what to do if it’s wrong.
Why your SIM count matters
PTA ties every active SIM to a CNIC through biometric verification. That link cuts both ways: it protects the network from anonymous SIMs, but it also means misuse of any SIM on your CNIC traces back to you. Fraud cases, harassment complaints, unpaid dues — the first question asked is always “whose CNIC is this SIM on?”
PTA also caps how many SIMs one CNIC can hold (currently 5 mobile + 3 data-only SIMs). If your count is at the cap and you didn’t put it there, someone used your identity — and you can’t register a new SIM until it’s fixed.
Method 1 — 668 SMS (fastest, under a minute)
- Open your SMS app and type your 13-digit CNIC number — digits only, no dashes or spaces.
- Send it to 668.
- You’ll get a reply breaking your SIMs down by operator (Jazz, Zong, Telenor, Ufone counts).
- A small PTA service fee applies, so keep some balance.
This works from any operator’s SIM. The reply lands on the phone that sent the SMS.
Method 2 — PTA SIM Information System portal
- Open PTA’s SIM Information System portal (cnic.sims.pk).
- Enter your 13-digit CNIC and submit.
- You’ll see the same per-operator breakdown as the SMS — good for keeping a dated screenshot as your record.
The portal shows counts, not full numbers. That’s PTA’s privacy design, not a bug.
Method 3 — franchise biometric check (most thorough)
- Take your original CNIC to any operator’s service center or franchise.
- Ask for a biometric verification and your complete SIM record.
- This is the only method that can show number-level detail for your own CNIC — and the only one that can fix problems on the spot.
Free, takes about ten minutes, and it’s the legal source of truth if the SMS and portal ever disagree.
Understanding your count
Your reply lists SIMs per operator, not one lump sum. Add them up and compare with the SIMs you physically own or remember buying. Common surprises: an old SIM from years ago still active, a “free SIM” a retailer registered on your thumbprint, or a family member’s SIM taken on your CNIC.
Against PTA’s cap of 5 mobile + 3 data-only SIMs per CNIC — if you’re at the limit with SIMs you don’t recognise, that’s identity misuse until proven otherwise.
Found SIMs you don’t recognise? Do this now
- Block them. Visit any franchise with your original CNIC and have the unknown SIMs blocked after biometric verification.
- Complain in writing. File with PTA and the FIA Cyber Crime Wing — attach your 668 reply screenshot.
- Recheck. Run the 668 check again after a few days and confirm the count is back to your real SIMs.
- Repeat quarterly. Make the 668 check a habit — every two to three months.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check how many SIMs are on my CNIC for free?
Three free official ways: SMS your 13-digit CNIC (no dashes) to 668, use PTA’s SIM Information System portal, or visit any operator franchise with your original CNIC for a biometric check.
How many SIMs can I have on one CNIC in Pakistan?
PTA caps it at 5 mobile + 3 data-only SIMs per CNIC. If your 668 reply shows SIMs you don’t recognise, treat them as identity misuse and get them blocked at a franchise.
Can I see the actual numbers, not just the count?
Not through 668 or the portal — they show per-operator counts only, by privacy design. A biometric-verified franchise visit is the only way to see number-level detail on your own CNIC.
A SIM I never bought shows on my CNIC. What do I do?
Get it blocked at any franchise with your original CNIC, then file complaints with PTA and the FIA Cyber Crime Wing. Keep your 668 reply as evidence.
How often should I check my SIM count?
Every two to three months, plus immediately if your CNIC copy is lost or shared, or you suspect misuse. One SMS is all it takes.
CNIC par kitni SIM hain, kaise check karein?
Apna 13-hindson ka CNIC number (baghair dash ke) SMS mein likh kar 668 par bhej dein. Jawab mein har network ki SIMs ki tadaad aa jayegi. Ye PTA ka official tareeqa hai.
Related guides: PTA SIM verification, CNIC number check, SIM tracker.
Reviewed by the SimOwnersPK Editorial Team — Telecom & digital-safety content specialists. We research every guide against PTA’s published processes and update it when those processes change. Last reviewed: October 2026.