Every Pakistani is allowed a limited number of SIM cards registered against their CNIC — currently a maximum of five across all networks. The problem is that identity misuse is common: SIMs get registered against a person's CNIC without their knowledge, sometimes through fraud at the point of sale, and are then used for scams or other activity that traces back to the innocent CNIC holder.
Checking how many SIMs are registered in your name takes under a minute and is one of the most important pieces of identity hygiene you can do. If unknown SIMs are in your name, you want to know now — not when a problem lands at your door.
The Official Way: SMS to 668
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority runs a free service for exactly this. To find out how many SIMs are registered against your CNIC:
Type: your 13-digit CNIC number (no dashes) Send to: 668
Within moments, PTA's automated system replies with the number of SIMs registered against your identity across all networks — Jazz, Zong, Telenor, and Ufone combined. Some replies also indicate the count per network. The service works from any Pakistani SIM and needs no internet.
Reading the Result
If the number matches the SIMs you actually use, all is well. If it is higher — if the reply shows SIMs you do not recognise — then some have been registered fraudulently or by someone else using your CNIC. This is the signal to act.
It is also worth confirming your CNIC itself is active and clear while you are at it. DB Center's CNIC verification tool shows whether your CNIC is valid, expired, or blocked, which complements the SIM check as a full identity snapshot.
What to Do About Unauthorised SIMs
If you find SIMs you did not register, do not ignore them — a SIM in your name used for fraud can create serious complications for you.
Visit the relevant network's franchise or customer service centre with your original CNIC and report the unauthorised registrations. The operator will block the fraudulent SIMs and update PTA's records. If the unknown SIMs span more than one network, you will need to repeat this at each operator's franchise. Keep a record of your complaints.
For an unknown number that has been contacting you, DB Center's number trace tool can surface basic associated information, and a broader identity search can help you cross-reference what little you know.
Protecting Yourself Going Forward
A few habits reduce the risk of SIM fraud against your CNIC. Always complete SIM registration yourself through biometric verification rather than handing your CNIC to someone to "do it for you." Check your SIM count periodically, not just once. Be cautious with photocopies of your CNIC, and never leave them with untrusted parties. And be wary of the monitoring and tracking apps marketed around SIMs and phones — the guide to phone tracker tools explains what they genuinely do and where their claims fall short, which helps you avoid installing something that harvests your own data. The same caution applies to WhatsApp trackers and similar services.
The Short Version
To check how many SIMs are registered on your CNIC, text your 13-digit CNIC number to 668. If the count is higher than the SIMs you actually use, visit the relevant operator's franchise with your original CNIC to block the fraudulent ones. Run this check periodically — a SIM in your name that you did not register is a real risk worth catching early.