SIM Database Pakistan 2026 — The Complete, Technically Accurate Registry Guide
Pakistan’s SIM database is a classified government registry — PTA’s SVMS/CSMD system, built on NADRA’s biometric infrastructure — linking every mobile connection to a verified CNIC. This guide covers exactly how it’s architected, the real 4-stage enforcement sequence, IMEI/DIRBS device checks, and every free official method to check your own record. Fully updated for July 2026, correcting several errors still circulating on competing sites.
- 1Pakistan’s SIM database is PTA’s classified Subscriber Verification Management System (SVMS) — not a public, searchable directory. NADRA’s role is strictly authentication, never public lookup.
- 2To check your own record: send your 13-digit CNIC to 668, or use cnic.sims.pk — both free, both official.
- 3No private website has ever been authorized to search this database by phone number. PTA has blocked 1,300+ sites making this false claim.
1. Legacy SIM Cleanup: SIMs activated before 2014’s biometric mandate that never completed MBVS re-verification are now being automatically suspended.
2. Device-Level Checks Exist Too: Beyond CNIC-based checks, dial *#06# to get your device’s IMEI, then send it to 8484 to confirm its DIRBS registration status.
3. Standardized Franchise Hours: SIM database transactions at franchises now follow fixed 6:00 AM–midnight hours nationwide.
Pakistan’s SIM database is one of the most misunderstood pieces of national infrastructure in the country’s digital identity system. It is not a spreadsheet. It is not downloadable. It is not accessible to private companies, developers, or third-party websites under any circumstance. It is a real-time, classified government registry — officially PTA’s Subscriber Verification Management System (SVMS), also referenced as the Central SIM Database (CSMD) — built directly on top of NADRA’s biometric identity infrastructure.
This guide explains exactly how this database is architected, what it actually contains, how PTA enforces compliance against it, and the five completely free, official ways you can check your own record. For a fast, direct check right now, our SIM Owner Details tool on the homepage walks you straight through the process — this page is the complete technical reference behind it.
🗄️ Pakistan’s SIM Database — Key Facts (2026)
Official Name: Subscriber Verification Management System (SVMS) / Central SIM Database (CSMD) · Maintained By: PTA + NADRA jointly · Total Connections: 202 million+ · Verified CNICs: 127 million+ · Networks: Jazz, Zong, Telenor/Ufone (merged into PTML, July 2026), SCOM, ONIC · Legal Basis: PTA Act 1996, biometric mandate since 2014, PECA 2016 · Public Access: None — self-check only, via 668/RAABTA/cnic.sims.pk/franchise
What NADRA’s Role Actually Is — Authentication, Not Lookup
One of the most important distinctions to understand: NADRA’s role in Pakistan’s SIM database is strictly authentication — never public lookup. When you register a SIM, NADRA confirms whether a fingerprint matches a specific CNIC. It does not, and has never, provided a service where anyone can search for a person’s identity starting from a phone number. This single fact explains why every “SIM database search by number” website is fundamentally illegitimate — the underlying capability they claim to offer was never built to exist in the first place.
The 6 Core Fields Stored in the SIM Database
| # | Field | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mobile Number | The active number assigned to the SIM |
| 2 | CNIC Number | The 13-digit identity of the registered owner |
| 3 | Biometric Fingerprint Record | Encrypted match reference, never exposed publicly |
| 4 | Activation Date & Time | Exact timestamp of successful biometric registration |
| 5 | Network Operator | Jazz, Zong, Telenor/Ufone, SCOM, or ONIC |
| 6 | Biometric Verification Status (BVS) + IMEI Pairing | Verified/Pending/Flagged status, linked to device IMEI via DIRBS |
🚨 What the Database Does NOT Expose Publicly
No field above — including CNIC, name, or biometric data — is exposed through any public search interface tied to a phone number. PTA’s 2026 enforcement report confirms over 1,300 illegal SIM database websites have been permanently blocked for falsely claiming this capability.
The 3-Layer Architecture Behind the SIM Database
Understanding why this system cannot be publicly searched requires understanding how it’s actually built
Biometric Verification (MBVS)
Every new SIM activation requires a live thumbprint scan matched in real time against NADRA’s biometric database of 127 million+ verified citizens.
PTA’s SVMS/CSMD Registry
The classified central database storing the six core fields for every connection, synchronized in real time from all licensed operators.
DIRBS Device Pairing
Links each SIM’s record to the physical device’s IMEI, enabling automated detection of non-compliant devices or duplicate/stolen device usage.
The Registration Sequence — Step by Step
- Customer visits a PTA-authorized franchise with their original CNIC, during standardized hours (6:00 AM–midnight)
- Franchise staff enters the CNIC into the biometric terminal
- Customer’s live thumbprint is scanned via a connected biometric device
- The print is encrypted and transmitted to NADRA for real-time matching
- On a successful match, the SIM’s record is created in the SVMS/CSMD with all six fields
- The SIM activates and appears immediately in the customer’s 668 or cnic.sims.pk results
⚠️ Legacy SIMs — A Growing 2026 Enforcement Priority
PTA’s enforcement framework now explicitly includes automatic suspension of SIMs linked to unverified CNICs — particularly numbers activated before 2015, before the MBVS system existed, that were never put through biometric re-verification afterward. These suspensions happen without individual prior notification. If you or an elderly family member holds a very old SIM, visit the relevant franchise now to complete re-verification before it’s suspended unexpectedly.
How the SIM Database Gets Enforced — The Real 4-Stage Process
Unverified or fraudulently registered SIMs don’t get blocked instantly — here’s the actual staged sequence PTA follows.
Flagged
Outgoing calls disabled; incoming calls still work. This is the automated first response when a SIM’s biometric record fails a re-verification check.
Warning Period
PTA sends a notification SMS to the registered number, giving the holder a window to visit a franchise for biometric re-verification.
Suspension — 72 Hours (Clean Sweep 3.0)
All services cut — no calls, no data, no SMS. Under Operation Clean Sweep 3.0 (launched February 2026), this stage can trigger within just 72 hours of a failed biometric check. Reactivation after a successful re-verification typically completes within 18 hours.
Permanent Block
Deactivated in the database with no reactivation path. The number is permanently lost — irreversible by any operator, official, or court order.
Device-Level Database Checks — IMEI & DIRBS
Beyond CNIC-based SIM checks, Pakistan’s database framework also tracks devices independently through DIRBS. You can verify whether your specific phone is properly registered:
| Step | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dial *#06# on your phone | Displays your device’s unique 15-digit IMEI number |
| 2 | SMS the IMEI to 8484 | Confirms whether the device is compliant/registered in DIRBS |
| 3 | If non-compliant | Register via dirbs.pta.gov.pk before the grace period ends |
📱 Why This Matters Alongside SIM Data
A SIM can be perfectly registered to your CNIC, but if it’s used in a non-compliant device (smuggled, duplicate IMEI, or otherwise unregistered), that device can still be blocked from network services. Checking both your SIM data (668) and your device’s IMEI status (8484) gives you the complete picture.
The Deceased-CNIC Blocking Wave — Real Numbers
PTA’s enforcement drive covering July 2024 to June 2025 specifically targeted SIMs registered against deceased, expired, or cancelled CNICs — a pattern fraudsters exploit because these identities are rarely actively monitored:
| Category | SIMs Blocked | Why It Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Deceased persons’ CNICs | 3,200,000 | Family members failed to report the death to NADRA |
| Expired CNICs | 783,000 | SIMs remained active after the underlying CNIC’s validity lapsed |
| Cancelled CNICs | 69,000 | NADRA had cancelled the CNIC, but the SIM record wasn’t cleaned up |
🚨 If a Family Member Has Passed Away
Report the death to NADRA promptly and request formal CNIC cancellation. Separately, visit the relevant operator’s franchise with a death certificate and Family Registration Certificate (FRC) to have any SIMs registered to that CNIC properly deactivated — ideally within 30 days.
Illegal SIM Database Sites — The Real Enforcement Numbers
- 83 illegal SIM-sale websites blocked by PTA (July 2024–June 2025)
- 139 SIM-data platforms shut down separately by NCCIA in its 2025 action
- 1,300+ total illegal SIM database sites blocked cumulatively as of PTA’s 2026 report
Companion Guide: Pak SIM Data Explained
A deep-dive companion piece covering the “Pak SIM Data” terminology, common myths, and correcting several widespread factual errors.
5 Official Ways to Check Your SIM Database Record
Every method here is a real PTA-operated channel — free, verified, and legally sanctioned for self-checks.
Method 1: SMS CNIC to 668
PTA’s universal database code. Returns a per-network breakdown of every SIM registered under your CNIC.
- Type your 13-digit CNIC (no dashes)
- Send to 668 from any Pakistani number
- Reply in ~30 seconds, Rs. 2 + tax
Method 2: cnic.sims.pk Portal
PTA’s official web portal — free, detailed, with exact registration dates.
- Visit cnic.sims.pk
- Enter your CNIC, complete the CAPTCHA
- Print or screenshot for legal documentation
Method 3: RAABTA WhatsApp Assistant
Launched February 25-26, 2026 — PTA’s official WhatsApp-based assistant.
- Message 0315-0055055 on WhatsApp
- Works from any country, any device
- Free, standard data usage only
Method 4: MNP to 667
Verifies the specific SIM currently in your phone — owner name, masked CNIC, network.
- Insert the SIM you want to verify
- Type MNP and send to 667
- Reply in ~6 seconds
Method 5: Franchise Visit
The only method producing an official certificate accepted by courts, banks, and police.
- Visit any franchise, 6:00 AM–midnight
- Bring original CNIC — no photocopies
- Request “SIM Database Record Certificate”
Additional Reference Codes
| Code/Channel | Purpose | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| CNIC to 7000 | NADRA CNIC validity, name, father’s/husband’s name | ~Rs. 10 + tax |
| IMEI to 8484 | Device DIRBS compliance check (dial *#06# first) | Standard SMS |
| N [space] number to 76367 | Identify which network a number belongs to (post-porting) | Standard SMS |
| PTA Helpline 0800-55055 | Complaints, escalation, live agent | Free, 24/7 |
SIM Database by Network — All 6 Operators (2026)
| Network | Subscribers | Dedicated BVS Code | USSD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jazz | 75.5M+ (37%) | SMS CNIC → 6001 | *321# |
| Zong | 54M+ (26%) | Send V → 7911 | SMS CNIC → 310 |
| Telenor/Ufone (PTML — merged July 2026) | ~73M combined (~36%) | SMS CNIC → 7751 / Send V → 7911 | *345# / *333# |
| SCOM | 2.2M+ | No dedicated code — use 668 | N/A |
| ONIC | Part of PTML/Ufone | MNP to 667 | *345# |
SIM Limits Recorded in the Database
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Max SIMs per CNIC | 8 total (5 voice + 3 data), combined across all networks — Supreme Court upheld, 2024 |
| Fraudulent SIM disowning cost | Free |
| Voluntary disowning cost | Capped at Rs. 200 |
| 365-day transfer restriction | Applies to SIMs activated on or after May 24-25, 2026 |
Legal Boundaries: What You Can & Cannot Check
PECA 2016 draws a firm line — checking your own database record is fully legal; accessing someone else’s is a criminal offence.
| Action | Legal Status | Authorized Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Check SIMs on your own CNIC | ✅ Fully legal | 668, cnic.sims.pk, RAABTA, franchise |
| Check owner of a SIM in your own phone | ✅ Fully legal | MNP to 667 |
| Check another person’s SIM data by their number | ❌ Illegal without a court order | None — FIA Cyber Crime Wing only |
| Third-party “SIM database” lookup websites | ❌ Not PTA-authorized | 1,300+ such sites already blocked |
🚨 PECA 2016 Penalties for Unauthorized Access
Section 3 (unauthorized access to a protected system): up to 3 months imprisonment, Rs. 100,000 fine. Section 16 (unauthorized disclosure of identity information): up to 3 years imprisonment, Rs. 5,000,000 fine. Combined penalties can reach 7 years imprisonment and Rs. 5.7 million — applying to both operators and users of illegal services.
Common Real-World Database Check Scenarios
Buying a Second-Hand SIM
Insert the SIM and send MNP to 667. If the registered name doesn’t match the seller, ownership transfer requires a joint franchise visit and biometric confirmation.
Buying a Second-Hand Phone
Dial *#06# to get the IMEI, then send it to 8484 to confirm the device isn’t blacklisted, stolen, or non-compliant before you complete the purchase.
Suspecting Ghost SIMs
Check quarterly via 668. If your CNIC shows more SIMs than you personally activated, someone likely obtained your CNIC copy and registered a SIM without your knowledge.
Old/Legacy SIM Still in Use
If you or a family member has a SIM active since before 2015, visit a franchise proactively for biometric re-verification — don’t wait for an automatic suspension notice.
Found an Unauthorized SIM? Complete Blocking Guide
Step-by-step disowning process, including the free vs. Rs. 200 cost distinction and the 365-day policy exception.
SIM Database — Myths vs. Facts
Separating what’s commonly claimed online from what’s actually true, based on official PTA and NADRA sources
| Common Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| “You can search the SIM database by phone number on this website” | False. No public API exists. NADRA’s role is authentication only, never lookup. |
| “NADRA lets you search someone’s identity by their number” | False. NADRA confirms fingerprint matches during registration — it has never offered public search. |
| “Unverified SIMs are blocked instantly with no warning” | Partially false. A staged 4-step process applies, though Clean Sweep 3.0 can compress Stage 3 to 72 hours. |
| “PTA’s SIM limit is 5 per CNIC” | Outdated. The current limit (Supreme Court upheld, 2024) is 8 total — 5 voice + 3 data. |
| “Old SIMs from before 2015 are automatically safe forever” | False. Legacy SIMs without post-2014 biometric re-verification now face active suspension enforcement. |
| “Checking device IMEI status is the same as checking SIM data” | False. These are two separate checks — 668 for SIM/CNIC data, 8484 for device/IMEI compliance. |
📈 Why This Distinction Matters
Many competing guides conflate “SIM database,” “Pak SIM Data,” and “CNIC information” as if they’re one single lookup system. In reality, Pakistan’s identity infrastructure has multiple distinct layers — SIM registration (SVMS/CSMD), device registration (DIRBS), and identity issuance (NADRA’s core CNIC system) — each with its own rules, codes, and legal boundaries. Understanding this separation is what allows you to actually solve your specific problem instead of guessing at the wrong code.
CNIC Information Pakistan — Complete Guide
Understand the identity layer behind the SIM database — NADRA’s verification framework and 2026 reforms.
Protecting Your SIM Database Record From Misuse
Practical habits that meaningfully reduce your risk, based on documented 2025-2026 enforcement patterns
Quarterly Checks, Minimum
Set calendar reminders for January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 every year to send your CNIC to 668. This is how most Pakistanis catch unauthorized SIMs early.
Mark Every CNIC Photocopy
Write “FOR [SPECIFIC PURPOSE] ONLY” across any CNIC copy you hand over — this significantly limits fraudulent reuse for unauthorized SIM registration.
Check Device IMEI Before Buying Used
Always dial *#06# and send the IMEI to 8484 before purchasing any second-hand phone — a non-compliant or blacklisted device becomes your problem the moment you own it.
Handle Family CNIC Changes Promptly
Report deaths to NADRA promptly and verify no SIMs remain active on cancelled or expired family CNICs — directly preventing exploitation of the exact pattern behind the 3.2 million deceased-CNIC blocking wave.
SIM Database vs. Related Identity Systems
Pakistan operates several distinct but interconnected identity registries — here’s how the SIM database fits into the bigger picture
| System | What It Tracks | Managed By | Self-Check Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIM Database (SVMS/CSMD) | SIM-to-CNIC registration links | PTA + NADRA | 668, cnic.sims.pk |
| DIRBS | Device IMEI compliance | PTA | *#06# then SMS to 8484 |
| NADRA Core Registry | CNIC issuance, biometric identity, family records | NADRA | CNIC to 7000, Pak Identity app |
| Election Rolls | Voter registration status | ECP | SMS 8300 |
Understanding this separation resolves most of the confusion behind “SIM database” searches. When people ask whether they can “look up” a phone number, they are usually imagining a single unified system — but in reality, your SIM’s registration record, your device’s compliance status, and your core NADRA identity record are three separate systems, each governed by different rules, and none of them offer public search by phone number to third parties.
Why This Matters for International Comparison
Pakistan’s layered, biometric-first approach places it alongside India, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia among countries requiring fingerprint verification for every mobile connection — a stricter standard than most Western markets, where prepaid SIM registration is often minimal or absent. This layered architecture is also precisely why large-scale enforcement actions, like the 3.2 million deceased-CNIC blocking sweep, are technically possible: the biometric linkage allows systematic auditing at a national scale that document-only registration systems cannot match.
✅ The Practical Takeaway
Next time you need to check something — whether it’s your own SIM count, a device you’re about to buy, or your CNIC’s validity — identify which of the four systems above actually holds that information, then use its specific self-check code. This single habit eliminates almost all the confusion that drives people toward illegal “all-in-one” lookup sites in the first place.
SIM Database Pakistan — Frequently Asked Questions
Comprehensive, fact-checked answers covering architecture, enforcement, and every check method
Verified Sources — SIM Database Guide, July 15, 2026
| Source | Used For |
|---|---|
| PTA — pta.gov.pk | SVMS/CSMD architecture, DIRBS, verification codes, enforcement reports |
| NADRA — nadra.gov.pk | MBVS biometric framework, authentication-only role clarification |
| ProPakistani — January 2, 2026 | Deceased/expired/cancelled CNIC SIM blocking figures |
| Express Tribune — October 2025 | NCCIA’s 139 SIM-data platform shutdown action |
| PTA Official — February 25-26, 2026 | RAABTA WhatsApp assistant launch details |
| PTA Enforcement Report — 2026 | 83 illegal SIM-sale websites blocked, franchise hours, legacy SIM cleanup |
| PECA 2016 — National Assembly of Pakistan | Sections 3 and 16 penalty framework |
| Supreme Court of Pakistan — 2024 ruling | 8-SIM-per-CNIC combined limit confirmation |
All codes, figures, and dates verified and confirmed active as of July 15, 2026.
🗄️ Check Your SIM Database Record Right Now — Free
202 million+ SIMs are active in Pakistan right now. See exactly what’s registered under your CNIC across all six networks — official, free, in 30 seconds.