Pta Proposes Ending Prepaid Mobile Balance Expiry In Pakistan

In a significant development for consumer rights, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has proposed to end the expiry of prepaid mobile balances, allowing users' remaining balance to stay valid for the entire active life of their SIM cards. This proposal, detailed in a consultation paper, seeks feedback from the public and industry by March 16, 2026. Currently, nearly 97% of Pakistan's mobile subscribers use prepaid services, and many Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) forfeit unused balances after validity periods ranging from 30 to 365 days. The PTA emphasized, "Prepaid balance represents money paid in advance by consumers and should be treated as the subscriber’s own funds rather than operator revenue," highlighting the need for reform in a market plagued by consumer complaints regarding balance forfeiture.