Pakistan, Aug. 28 -- The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has ordered cellular mobile operators to give prepaid subscribers at least 180 days' validity on every recharge or balance, while making expired balances automatically available again upon the next recharge.

The decision, aimed at protecting millions of prepaid users from permanent loss of their unused balance, will take effect from October 1, 2026.

According to a determination issued by the PTA, around 97 percent of cellular mobile subscribers in Pakistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are prepaid users. The Authority noted that forfeiture of unused balances particularly affects low-income consumers and results in direct financial loss. Under the decision, ...