Travelling to Pakistan requires you to be aware of the available prepaid phone plans in the country, especially if you intend to use your mobile phones there. Currently, there are five GSM prepaid phone operators in Pakistan, namely: Mobilink-PMCL, Pakistan Telecommunciation Mobile Ltd (Ufone), CMPak Limited (ZONG), Telenor Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd. and Warid Telecom (PVT) Ltd. The mobile prefix for Pakistan is +92. Their currency, 1 Pakistan Rupee (PKR) = 0.0133 Euro. The electricity available is 220 Volts with an electrical frequency of 50 Hertz. Time Zone is GMT +6.00.
The first prepaid phone operator available in Pakistan is the Mobilink-PMCL or Mobilink GSM. Mobilink is a subsidiary of the Orascom Telecom Holding (an Egypt based multi-national company) that was established in 1994. They offer both post paid plans under the brand name “Indigo” and prepaid phone plans under the name “Jazz.” They also offer DSL broadband under Link.Net and a wireless broadband service through WiMax. As of December 2010, Mobilink GSM has an approximately 31.5 million subscribers and has a market share of 31%.
The prepaid phone plan for Mobilink GSM is called “Jazz.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is available upon request. Jazz is valid for only 10 days. The net frequency available for Mobilink GSM is GSM 900/1800. The logo for this prepaid phone card is Mobilink while its net code is 410 01. There are three voice tariffs under Jazz: Jazz One, Jazz Budget and Jazz Easy that offers calls from Monday to Sunday. Jazz One offers: set-up free fee for all calls for PKR 0.40, calls to Mobilink for PKR 1.00 and other calls for 1.60. Jazz Budget offers: all calls for PKR 1.36. While Jazz Easy offers: calls to 3 friends and family for PKR 0.99, calls to Mobilink for PKR 2.10 and other calls for PKR 2.50.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- SMS to Mobilink – PKR 1.00
- SMS to others – PKR 1.50
- MMS – PKR 6.00
Data Calls: PKR 18.00/MB
Voicemail: Same rate as the voice calls to Mobilink
International Calls:
- Zone 1 (United Kingdom, Italy, Denmark, USA, Hong Kong, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, Hungary, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, France, Norway, Austria, Japan, Greece, Czech Republic, Australia, Switzerland, Portugal, China, Sweden, Spain, Malaysia) – PKR 5.00 per minute
- Rest of the World – PKR 15.00 per minute
International Roaming: International roaming service available, see here.
Billing: 30/30
Refills and Validity Period:
PKR 100/90, 180 days
PKR 300/270, 180 days
PKR 600/540, 360 days
PKR 1000/900, 360 days
Second on the list of prepaid phone operators in Pakistan is the Pakistan Telecommunciation Mobile Ltd or most commonly known as Ufone GSM. The telecommunications company started its operations in 2001 under Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) and became a part of the Emirates Telecommunications Corporation Group (Etisalat) in 2006. Ufone’s advantage among its competitors is that they offer the lowest call rates, clear sound and best network and tariffs with no hidden charges. They have network coverage in 10,000 locations across Pakistan, currently offering international roaming services in 288 live operators in 160 countries. In 2010, Ufone gathered 20.23 million subscribers already.
The prepaid phone card name for Ufone is called “Prepay.” The activation fee and validity for this prepaid phone card are available upon request. The net frequency for Ufone is GSM 900. The logo for this prepaid phone card is UFONE and its net code is 410 03. There are four available voice tariffs under Ufone, namely: Public Demand Tariff, Paanch Ka Pandrah, Uwon Tariff and Ufone 3 Minute Package Tariff that offers calls from Monday to Sunday. Public Demand Tariff offers: all calls for PKR 1.98. Paanch Ka Pandrah offers: calls to Ufone for PKR 2.25 and other calls for PKR 2.50. Uwon Tariff offers: calls to Ufone for PKR 1.00 and other calls for PKR 1.60. While Ufone 3 Minute Package Tariff offers: calls to Ufone for PKR 2.00 per three minutes and other calls for 3.20 per three minutes.
*All the charges are exclusive of 15% Sales Tax (GST). These charges will be charged in addition to the respective rate plan related airtime charges.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- SMS to Ufone – PKR 0.50
- SMS to others – PKR 1.00
- International SMS – PKR 1.50
- MMS (incoming/outgoing) – PKR 5.00
Data Calls: GPRS – PKR 15.00/MB
Voicemail: PKR 1.00 per minute
International Calls: International prepaid phone calls available, see here.
International Roaming: International roaming service available, see here.
Billing: 20/20
Refills and Validity Period:
- PKR 100/100, 180 days
- PKR 250/250, 180 days
- PKR 500/500, 360 days
- PKR 1000/1000, 360 days
Third prepaid phone operator in Pakistan is the CMPak Limited or also known as ZONG. ZONG is the first international brand of China Mobile that was launched in Pakistan in 2008. The company is often called as China Mobile (Pakistan) or CMPak. They offer both mobile and data services to their consumers. And in October of 2011, ZONG signed a contract with the English football club Manchester United F.C. which let the company launch a dedicated “value added services and products” line that allows Manchester fans to get updates, scores from the game, interviews, news and even behind the scenes on their mobile phones. As of late 2011, ZONG has an approximately 13.2 million subscribers.
The prepaid phone card name for ZONG is called “Prepaid.” The activation fee and validity for this prepaid phone card is available upon request. The net frequency available for ZONG is GSM 900. The logo for this prepaid phone card are Zong and Paktel while its net code is 410 04. There are two voice tariffs under Prepaid, the Zong 65 (30/30) and Aik second (1/1) that offers calls from Monday to Sunday. Zong 65 offers all calls for PKR 1.30 while Aik second offers all calls for PKR 2.40. For other Prepaid packages, click here.
*All the charges are exclusive of 15% Sales Tax (GST). These charges will be charged in addition to the respective rate plan related airtime charges.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- SMS to Zong (Aik Second only) – PKR 0.75
- National SMS – PKR 1.00
- Unlimited SMS package – PKR 3.00 per day
- International SMS – International SMS is available but rates are unknown
- MMS – PKR 3.00
Data Calls:
- GPRS – PKR 15.00/MB
- Unlimited GPRS package – PKR 400 per month
International Calls: International prepaid phone calls available, see here.
International Roaming: International roaming service available, see here.
Billing: 1/1 or 30/30
Fourth available prepaid phone operator in Pakistan is the Telenor Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd. The company started its operations in 2004 and is a subsidiary of the Telenor Group, an international provider of quality voice, data, content and communications services. In 2004, Telenor Pakistan acquired the license to operate GSM services. They are servicing a total of 3,000 cities, towns and highways all over Pakistan, making them the second largest mobile communications provider in Pakistan. They also offer GPRS and EDGE service across its network in Pakistan. As of 2011, Telenor has reached 28.11 million subscribers with a market share of 24%.
The prepaid phone card name for Telenor is called “Prepaid.” The activation fee and validity of this prepaid phone card is available upon request. The net frequency for Telenor is GSM 900/1800. The logo for this prepaid phone card is Telenor PK and its net code is 410 06. There are four voice tariffs under Prepaid: Talkshawk A1, Talkshawk Har Second, Talkshawk 30 Second and Talkshawk Har Minute that offers calls from Monday to Sunday. Talkshawk A1 offers: set-up fee for all calls for PKR 0.46, calls to Telenor for PKR 1.15 and other calls for PKR 1.61. Talkshawk Har Second offers: calls to friends and family for PKR 1.80, calls to Telenor for PKR 2.40 and other calls for PKR 3.00. Talkshawk 30 Second offers: calls to friends and family for PKR 0.90, calls to Telenor for PKR 1.50 and other calls for PKR 1.50. And Talkshawk Har Minute offers: calls to friends and family for PKR 1.00, calls to Telenor for PKR 2.00 and other calls for PKR 2.00.
*The charges are inclusive of Interconnect and long distance charges. All outgoing calls/airtime usage is subject to 15% CED only. To check your Prepaid phone card balance, dial *444# and press send.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- National SMS – PKR 1.00
- International SMS – PKR 5.00
- MMS (incoming/outgoing) – PKR 5.00
Data Calls: GPRS – PKR 15.00/MB
Voicemail: PKR 1.00 per minute
International Calls: International prepaid phone calls available, see here.
International Roaming: International roaming service available, see here.
Billing: 1/1, 30/30 or 60/60 *depending on the tariff you choose
Refills and Validity Period:
- PKR 250.00/227.27, unlimited
- PKR 500.00/454.55, unlimited
- PKR 1000.00/909.09, unlimited
The fifth available prepaid phone operator in Pakistan is the Warid Telecom (PVT) Ltd or Warid Telecom. This company is an Abu Dhabi-based mobile communications firm that started its operations in 2004. In June 2007, Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) and Warid Telecom announced their partnership to increase Warid Telecom’s market position. The company offers both post paid (Zahi) plans and prepaid phone (Zem) plans. Users enjoy various value added services such as SMS, MMS, GPRS, 64K SIM, Dual SIM products and other features.
The prepaid phone card name for Warid Telecom is called “Zem.” The activation fee and validity of the card is available upon request. the net frequency of Warid Telecom is GSM 900/1800. The logo for this prepaid phone card is Warid while it net code is 410 07. Zem offers calls from Monday to Sunday:
- Friends and family (on-net): Zem 1 second (1/1) for PKR 1.20, Zem lowest call rate (30/30) for PKR 0.90 and Zem 60 seconds (60/60) for PKR 0.75
- Friends and family (off-net): Zem lowest call rate (30/30) for PKR 1.50
- Calls to Warid: Zem 1 second (1/1) for PKR 1.80, Zem lowest call rate (30/30) for PKR 1.50 and Zem 60 seconds (60/60) for PKR 1.25
- Calls to land line: Zem 1 second (1/1) for PKR 2.40 , Zem lowest call rate (30/30) for PKR 1.70 and Zem 60 seconds (60/60) for PKR 1.75
- Calls to mobiles: Zem 1 second (1/1) for PKR 3.00 , Zem lowest call rate (30/30) for PKR 1.70 and Zem 60 seconds (60/60) for PKR 2.25
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- SMS to Warid Telecom – PKR 0.50
- National SMS – PKR 1.00
- International SMS – PKR 5.00
- MMS (sending/receiving) – PKR 3.00
Data Calls: GPRS – PKR 1.00/64KB
Voicemail: PKR 0.10 (30/30 billing)
International Calls: International prepaid phone calls available, see here.
International Roaming: International roaming service available, see here.
Billing: 1/1, 30/30, 60/60
Refills and Validity Period:
- PKR 100/100
- PKR 250/250
- PKR 500/500
- PKR 1000/1000