SIM Check by CNIC: 668 SMS and PTA SIM Information System
For a SIM check by CNIC in Pakistan, send your 13-digit CNIC number without dashes as an SMS to 668, or enter it on the PTA SIM Information System at cnic.sims.pk. Both services show how many mobile SIMs are registered against your CNIC with each operator: Jazz, Telenor, Ufone and Zong.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) asks every citizen to check this count regularly, because a SIM issued on your CNIC without your knowledge can be used for fraud or harassment in your name. This guide explains both methods, how to remove a SIM you do not use, what PTA allows for SIM owner details, and how to check your phone IMEI on DIRBS.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| SIM count by SMS | Send CNIC number (no dashes) to 668 |
| SIM count online | cnic.sims.pk (SIM Information System) |
| Foreign nationals | Use the Foreign ID tab on cnic.sims.pk |
| Remove unwanted SIM | Biometric disowning at the operator’s service centre or franchise |
| PTA complaints | complaint.pta.gov.pk, PTA CMS app, toll free 0800-55055 |
| Phone IMEI check | Send 15-digit IMEI to 8484 or use dirbs.pta.gov.pk |
| Find your IMEI | Dial *#06# |
| Check a number’s network | SMS N 03xxxxxxxxx to 76367 (Rs2 plus tax) |
SIM check by CNIC through 668 SMS
- Open the messages app on any mobile phone.
- Type your 13-digit CNIC number without dashes, for example 6110123456789.
- Send it to 668.
- Read the reply, which shows the number of SIMs registered on that CNIC with each operator.
The reply shows the count only. It does not list the actual mobile numbers, so if the count looks wrong, contact the operator that shows the extra SIM.
PTA SIM Information System online
- Go to cnic.sims.pk in your browser.
- Keep the CNIC tab selected. Foreign nationals should click the Foreign ID tab and enter their ID instead.
- Enter your CNIC number without dashes.
- Complete the verification box and click Submit.
- The page shows the total number of SIMs registered on your CNIC, split by operator.
PTA advises checking this especially for elderly women in the family, even if they do not use a mobile phone. According to PTA, about 85 percent of SIMs used in fraud cases were registered on women’s identity details.
668 SMS or cnic.sims.pk: which method to use
| Point | 668 SMS | cnic.sims.pk |
|---|---|---|
| Needs internet | No | Yes |
| Works on basic phones | Yes | No |
| Input | 13-digit CNIC | CNIC, or Foreign ID for foreign nationals |
| Shows SIM count | Yes | Yes |
| Shows mobile numbers | No | No |
Use whichever is easier for you. Many families check all members in one sitting on the website, while the SMS is handy for older relatives who only have a basic phone.
How to block or disown an unwanted SIM
If the SIM check shows more SIMs than you use, act quickly. Under PTA rules, disowning a SIM is done through biometric verification with NADRA, so it must be done in person.
- Note which operator shows the extra SIM in the 668 reply or on cnic.sims.pk.
- Visit that operator’s customer service centre or an authorised franchise with your original CNIC.
- Ask them to show the numbers on your CNIC and to disown the ones you do not recognise.
- Give your thumb impression on the biometric device to confirm.
- Run the SIM check again after a few days to make sure the count has dropped.
You can also call your operator first to ask about the process: Jazz on 111 or 111-300-300, Telenor on 345 or 111-345-100, Ufone on 333 or 111-333-100, and Zong on 310 or 111-222-111. If the operator does not help, lodge a complaint with PTA.
SIM owner details: what is legal
Many websites and apps claim to show the name, CNIC and address of the owner of any mobile number. There is no official public service for this. The PTA SIM Information System only tells you about SIMs on your own CNIC.
Selling subscriber data is a crime. In July 2026, a PTA complaint led the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore to arrest three people accused of selling subscriber records, call records and CNIC data. Avoid such sites, as they may also collect your own information.
What you can legally check is the network of a number. Send N followed by the number, for example N 03001234567, to 76367. The service shows which operator the number currently uses and costs Rs2 plus tax. If an unknown number is harassing you, report it to your operator or PTA rather than trying to trace the owner yourself.
Protect your CNIC from illegal SIMs
- Buy, replace or transfer SIMs only at an operator service centre, franchise or registered retailer with an authorised biometric device.
- Never give your thumb impression on paper or to people claiming to register you for a prize, gift or support scheme. PTA warns that gangs use this trick to activate SIMs on other people’s CNICs.
- Make sure you receive the SIM after giving biometrics. If the agent keeps it, complain to PTA with your CNIC number, date of visit, operator and the shop’s name and address.
- Repeat the SIM check every few months.
PTA DIRBS IMEI check through 8484
DIRBS is the PTA system that checks whether a phone is approved for use on Pakistani networks. Check your phone before buying a used or imported handset.
- Dial *#06# on the phone to see its 15-digit IMEI. Dual SIM phones show two.
- Send each IMEI as a separate SMS to 8484.
- You can also type the IMEI in the check box on dirbs.pta.gov.pk or use the DIRBS DVS Android app.
If the reply says the device is not compliant, it must be registered and the applicable duty paid before it can work with a Pakistani SIM. PTA’s individual device registration is done online through the DIRBS registration website, which works only inside Pakistan. The duty is set by FBR, and the DIRBS site has a link to check individual mobile duties.
Common problems and fixes
- No reply from 668: check that you typed 13 digits with no dashes or spaces, and that you have enough balance or SMS bundle.
- Website not loading: try again later or use the 668 SMS method, which gives the same count.
- Count includes an old SIM you forgot: a SIM stays on your CNIC until it is disowned or deactivated by the operator. Visit the operator to remove it.
- Need a number on your CNIC for banking or FBR: services like IRIS need a SIM registered on your own CNIC. See our IRIS FBR guide, and for wallets read our Easypaisa account guide.
PK Portals is an independent information site and is not linked to PTA, NADRA or any mobile operator. For your CNIC and family records, see our guide to NADRA online services, and for mobile offers see all network packages.
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- Online portals in Pakistan
- Passport fee in Pakistan 2026
- Driving license online in Pakistan
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check how many SIMs are on my CNIC?
Send your CNIC number without dashes to 668, or enter it on cnic.sims.pk. Both show the number of SIMs registered on your CNIC with each operator.
Does the 668 SIM check show my mobile numbers?
No. It shows only the count per operator. To see the actual numbers, visit the operator’s service centre with your original CNIC.
Can I block a SIM registered on my CNIC online?
Disowning a SIM needs biometric verification, so it is done in person at the operator’s service centre or authorised franchise. You can complain to PTA online if the operator does not act.
Is it legal to check SIM owner details?
There is no official public service that reveals another person’s SIM owner details. Sites that sell such data are illegal, and PTA has worked with NCCIA to act against them.
What is the PTA complaint number?
PTA’s toll free number is 0800-55055. You can also complain through complaint.pta.gov.pk or the PTA CMS app for Android and iOS.
