Pakistan: Buy the Best eSIMs | 2024 Guide

Pakistan is probably not the most popular travel destination in Asia, but it still has a lot to offer.

Especially when it is a relatively affordable country for travel.

What you should not do, in many cases, is roam internationally in Pakistan.

International roaming can be expensive, which is why using local and travel eSIMs is recommended to save money.

And if you get a travel eSIM, you do not have to deal with the SIM card registration bureaucracy and skip the queues in Pakistan.

How much will a (travel) eSIM for Pakistan cost you?

You can get an eSIM for Pakistan for as low as 5 USD and up to 54 USD from Airalo, Alosim & Holafly offering between 1 GB and 10 GB of data to be used locally, in Asia, or globally.

Those are some generous data allowances, right?

In this guide, I will go over the eSIM options offered by the Pakistani mobile operators (if available), Airalo, Alosim & Holafly. Let's do this.

Original publication: 8th of March 2023. Last updated: 18th of October 2023.

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Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

I will write about seven eSIM options in Pakistan (and explain why they are included).

But if you want to quickly check out what the best eSIMs are for Pakistan without my analysis and explanations, here is an overview of the eSIMs covered in this guide:

• Pakistani mobile operators (one offer eSIMs to prepaid customers – read more in my Pakistan SIM card buying guide)
• Airalo Sheesh eSIM with four choices between 1 GB and 10 GB (best value for money)
• Alosim Pakistan eSIM with five choices between 1 GB and 10 GB (priced roughly the same as Airalo with a bit more options – use code PTW for 5% off)
• Holafly Pakistan eSIM with unlimited data for 5 to 20 days (unlimited data eSIMs – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off)
• AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM through SimOptions with one 6 GB option (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported Asian countries (12/32) at a reasonable price but with a short validity – SimOptions does sell other Asian eSIMs, but they are not as good as AIS)
• Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (formerly Discover Global) with 12 choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (extensive global coverage (130+ countries) at attractive prices) + ability to make and receive calls & send and receive SMS (new) – read my ongoing Airalo Discover(+) (Global) eSIM review too!
• AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM through SimOptions with one 6 GB option (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported countries (53/143) at a reasonable price but with a short validity)

Note: the promo codes mentioned above can also be used for regional and global eSIMs (they are not restricted to country-specific eSIMs only). In other news, the eSIM providers are in alphabetical order per grouping (Pakistan-only, regional & global) – not in order of preference (you would have to read the complete guide to find out which eSIMs I love the most for Pakistan 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?

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eSIMs offered by Pakistani Mobile Operators

To get the best service available, in terms of reception and speeds, you want to go with the local mobile operators directly instead of with a travel eSIM.

That is because you will have a higher priority on the network in case of network congestion.

However, that does not mean travel eSIMs will always be slow.

In fact, some mobile operators throttle (prepaid) on select plans or all plans for “optimization” reasons (read: we cannot be bothered to invest in our network).

Anyway, which Pakistani mobile operators offer eSIMs to prepaid customers?

Currently, Ufone Pakistan offers eSIMs to prepaid customers.

But you have to deal with Pakistan's SIM card registration scheme, which is mandatory for anyone using Pakistani SIM cards and eSIMs – it can be a time-consuming affair.

(Why does this matter? Because hackers can steal your (critical) personal data if the mobile operator does not secure your data properly, like what happened in Australia (10 million Optus customers were affected, where info, like passport numbers, were stolen (including mine – luckily not my passport number but my boyfriend was not as lucky) or Indonesia (1.3 billion SIM card-related data was hacked)).

While mobile data is already affordable in Pakistan, getting any of the travel eSIMs mentioned in this guide will not break the bank – not at all.

Travel eSIM providers Airalo, Alosim, Holafly, & SimOptions offer attractive eSIMs for Pakistan – some allow their eSIMs to be set up before arriving in Pakistan and activating them as soon as you land.

Very convenient, right? And I have used eSIMs from Airalo, Alosim, Holafly, & SimOptions before, and I can assure you they work well!

So let's see what these travel eSIM providers have to offer in Pakistan, right?

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Airalo eSIMs for Pakistan (Sheesh)

If I could only get one travel eSIM during my trip because I do not have the time or opportunity to buy a local SIM card or eSIM, I would always get an eSIM from Airalo, like its Sheesh eSIM for Pakistan.

Not only does Airalo have eSIMs for more than 200 countries and territories, which is an insane number on its own, I almost always have the best network performance with its eSIMs.

Additionally, its eSIMs are frequently one of the cheapest compared to its competition, including the ones mentioned in this guide, which is remarkable on its own.

If you have no idea who or what Airalo is and are confused right now, worry not – I have an in-depth review explaining how Airalo works and all its options based on four years of using Airalo eSIMs – you can read it now or later (I will briefly introduce Airalo anyway in this guide).

Basically, what Airalo does is partner up with local mobile operators to sell plans through its eSIMs in a convenient way on its platform.

In many Asian countries, Airalo works with Singtel from Singapore, the country's best mobile operator, which can then be used in various Asian countries.

That way, you do not have to fly to Singapore, get its SIM card, buy a roaming plan, and then go to Pakistan with your new package.

Not only would this be expensive, but it would also be a waste of time (unless you already planned on visiting Singapore anyway, like a transit).

So, I already told you that Airalo's Pakistan eSIM is called Sheesh.

The Sheesh eSIM uses the Jazz Pakistan network on 4G/LTE (no 5G NR access yet, but some Airalo eSIMs already do, so it is only a matter of time).

That way, you can use the Jazz Pakistan 4G/LTE network without going through Pakistan's SIM card registration requirements (legally, of course)!

Anyway, you have four (previously two) Airalo Sheesh eSIM options:

1. Pakistan/Sheesh 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 5 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Pakistan/Sheesh 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 12 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Pakistan/Sheesh 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 17.50 USD
4. Pakistan/Sheesh 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 30 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in October based on data up to the 11^th of October (2023 data only).

Honestly, the Airalo Sheesh eSIM is fantastic and loved by many Phone Travel Wiz readers, especially considering its options and prices.

Let me highlight some strengths and weaknesses of the Airalo Sheesh eSIM before you make your purchase decision (but we still have plenty of Pakistani travel eSIMs to cover, so do not be too quick!).

Airalo Sheesh eSIM Pros

What are the main perks of Airalo's Sheesh eSIMs?

• You can avoid expensive international roaming fees
• You can purchase and set up your Sheesh eSIM before arriving in Pakistan (and activate it upon landing)
  • The eSIM will start once you have it enabled and are in Pakistan – not earlier (so you can pre-purchase your eSIM months in advance in peace – I do this often)
• You can skip Pakistan's SIM card registration requirements and any queues at the airport or in town
• You get full (up to 4G/LTE) access to the Jazz Pakistan network
• The eSIMs are affordable and have generous data allowances
• You can manage your eSIM easily on the Airalo website or its apps (Android and iOS)
  • If you need more data, top-ups are available (at the same prices as listed earlier – not at a markup)

Airalo Sheesh eSIM Cons

What are the main cons of Airalo's Sheesh eSIMs?

• You cannot call or text with the Sheesh eSIM – it is a data-only eSIM (so you do not get a (Pakistani) phone number either)
• While you get access to Jazz Pakistan's network, your speeds will not be as fast as going with Jazz Pakistan itself because you will be roaming on their networks (and not be a native customer)
• The Pakistani mobile operators have much more generous data allowances (while Sheesh's is capped at 10 GB, but top-ups are available)
• There are no unlimited data plans
• There is no 5G NR access with the Sheesh eSIM

Airalo Sheesh eSIM Overall Thoughts

I have been a big fan of Airalo and its eSIMs in years, as mentioned in my Airalo review, including the Sheesh eSIM.

It offers reasonable data plans for low prices, especially compared to international roaming.

You get fast (up to 4G/LTE) speeds and access in Pakistan without standing in queues or dealing with SIM card registration bureaucracy.

Unfortunately, you cannot call or text with the Sheesh eSIM, as it is a data-only eSIM.

But if you wish to make actual calls, not through VoIP apps like WhatsApp, consider buying a Pakistani SIM card instead (an in-depth guide).

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Alosim eSIMs for Pakistan

Alosim is an eSIM provider covering 130+ 150+ countries.

Although I only started using its eSIMs in 2023, I like them a lot.

Mostly because Alosim eSIMs have 5G NR access in popular destinations in Asia.

Unfortunately, that is not the case for Pakistan yet… but that could change soon 😏.

Something even Airalo, the King of eSIMs, does not offer (yet).

And you know I am all about that speed 🐆.

In Pakistan, Alosim uses the Jazz Pakistan network.

Just like Airalo, Alosim often partners with the best local network(s) in a country, which I love.

And the eSIMs are affordable too!

You have the following five Alosim Pakistan eSIM options:

1. Pakistan 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 5 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Pakistan 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 8.50 USD
3. Pakistan 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 12 USD
4. Pakistan 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 17.50 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. Pakistan 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 30 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in October based on data up to the 11^th of October (2023 data only).

And as I am always looking out for you, use code PTW for 5% off your Alosim eSIM purchase!

Just note that when you have installed your Alosim eSIM, you always have to manually change the Access Point Name (APN) to alosim instead of the default one, as in the screenshot below.

Of course, Alosim mentions this on the installation page, but it is not something you have to do with man eSIM providers.

So I thought I would mention it here as a heads-up 😜.

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Holafly eSIMs for Pakistan

Another eSIM provider I recommend is Holafly.

In June 2022, Holafly introduced something that no other travel eSIM provider had done by that time.

You can now get unlimited data plans for Pakistan for several other Asian countries, all European Union member states & a handful of other countries.

Wait… there is an eSIM provider offering unlimited data plans, and I (you reading this) have never heard of it? Who is Holafly? 🤔

I have an in-depth review explaining how Airalo works and all its options, based on two years of using Holafly eSIMs – you can read it now or later (I will briefly introduce Holafly anyway in this guide).

Okay, back to unlimited data eSIMs – is it truly unlimited?

Yes… at least that was what I was told initially.

A few weeks later, though, this paragraph was added to its “Can my connection speed be reduced?” FAQ:

[…] if the mobile operator estimates the usage of more than 90 GB of data in a month, it may temporarily reduce the speed to 256 Kbps – 1 Mbps to avoid affecting other users. This limitation is intended to prevent network saturation and will be removed within 24 hours.

One of Holafly's competitors (an eSIM reseller) tried to hit a daily fair-use limit.

It realized that speeds get throttled after using more than 2.5 GB to 3 GB daily.

Interesting, is it not? 🤔.

Anyway, Holafly's unlimited data plans for Indonesia are the most expensive ones mentioned in this guide.

But they are not prohibitively expensive (luckily) – that is the price you pay for unlimited data for up to 20 days.

The Holafly Pakistan eSIM uses the Zong Pakistan network.

You have the following five Holafly Pakistan eSIM options:

1. Pakistan unlimited data eSIM for 5 days, costing 19 USD/19 EUR/19 GBP/27 AUD/24 CAD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Pakistan unlimited data eSIM for 7 days, costing 27 USD/27 EUR/24 GBP/44 AUD/34 CAD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Pakistan unlimited data eSIM for 10 days, costing 34 USD/34 EUR/29 GBP/49 AUD/44 CAD
4. Pakistan unlimited data eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD/47 EUR/44 GBP/67 AUD/59 CAD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. Pakistan unlimited data eSIM for 20 days, costing 54 USD/57 EUR/49 GBP/84 AUD/74 CAD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in October based on data up to the 11^th of October (2023 data only).

Holafly Pakistan eSIM Pros

What are the main perks of Holafly's Pakistan eSIMs?

• You can avoid expensive international roaming fees
• You can skip Pakistan's SIM card registration requirements
• You get full (up to 4G/LTE) access to the Jazz Pakistan network
• If you, somehow, experience any problems, Holafly's support team responds surprisingly quickly (even on weekends)

Holafly Pakistan eSIM Cons

What are the main cons of Holafly's Pakistan eSIMs?

• You cannot call or text with the Holafly Pakistan eSIM – it is a data-only eSIM (so you do not get a (Pakistani) phone number either)
• While you get access to the Jazz Pakistan network, your speeds will not be as fast as going with Jazz Pakistan because you will be roaming on their network (and not be a native customer)
• The eSIM's validity, supposedly, starts as soon as you scan the QR code, not upon using it in Pakistan
  • I say supposedly because I have installed eSIMs literally months in advance and had no issues using them later, but I do not want you to experience this issue with your hard-earned money
• While Holafly has unlimited data plans, they have yet to be introduced for Pakistan
• There is no 5G NR access with the Holafly eSIM
• You cannot top-up your eSIM – you have to buy a new one (in case you stay in Pakistan for a bit longer than initially planned)
• Holafly is the most expensive eSIM provider in this guide for Pakistan-only eSIMs

Holafly Pakistan eSIM Overall Thoughts

I love that Holafly decided to innovate and offer unlimited data plans (although unlimited should be written as “unlimited” instead).

I was not a fan of Holafly when it had travel SIM cards (discontinued) because they were crazy expensive (I am talking about 20 USD for 1 GB of data in some Caribbean nation expensive).

Luckily that is not the case with its eSIMs, so I have used Holafly eSIMs in many countries and counting.

Be sure to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off each Holafly purchase (yes, you can use it multiple times)!

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Best eSIMs for Asia & the World (including Pakistan)

So what if you plan to visit a neighboring Asian country?

Unfortunately, you cannot use your Airalo, Holafly or Nomad eSIMs in any country than Pakistan.

Luckily, some of the eSIM providers mentioned so far do have eSIMs that can be used throughout most or all of Asia.

And there are also some global eSIMs with attractive prices that can be useful if you visit Asia and another continent or region.

I highly recommend these Asia or global eSIMs if you plan to visit multiple Asian countries to save money!

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AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM

There is a new kid on the block with 5G NR access in several Asian countries with its Asia eSIM: AIS eSIM2FLY Asia.

Okay, AIS (Thailand) is not new at all – it is the largest mobile operator in the country.

What is relatively new, however, is its updated AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM.

You still get 6 GB of data for 15 days in 32 Asian countries.

But you also get FREE 5G NR access in about a dozen supported countries – and more will be added shortly.

And I can tell you that not many eSIM providers have this benefit for Asia (including the ones in this guide)… so this is a unique selling point for the AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM.

Now, many resellers are selling this eSIM – but I recommend getting it from SimOptions.

Mainly because SimOptions was probably the first travel SIM card company I started working with in 2019.

But also because its price is competitive (19.90 USD) – even while offering STELLAR after-sales support (which not all AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM resellers do… they just tell you to contact AIS directly, smh).

Alright, the AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM can be used in the following 32 countries:

¹ with 5G NR access

It is nice to see when an eSIM provider does not consider only some East- and Southeast Asian countries as Asia 🗿.

What is more: you get a Thai phone number (+66) that can be used for incoming calls and SMS.

If you go to the SimOptions website and look at its Asia eSIMs, you will see the following six eSIMs:

I will talk about the AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM in the global section (it also allows for 5G NR access in quite a number of countries).

But why do I only mention and recommend the AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM from SimOptions?

Mostly because the eSIM is vastly superior to any other Asia eSIM SimOptions sells.

The AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM covers an equal number of countries as the Smart Traveler eSIM and more than the China Unicom Hong Kong Smart Data eSIM and the 3 Hong Kong 30-Day APAC Pass eSIMs.

Moreover, the performance with the AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM will be (significantly) better because it often works on the network of the best local mobile operator.

Furthermore, it costs roughly the same as the other eSIMs.

The only main drawback with the AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM is that it has the shortest validity – eight days.

Unless you plan in staying all 32 supported countries for maybe an hour before flying again, it will be impossible to use the eSIM in all of them.

Let alone two or three countries within eight days.

So yes, it is a regional eSIM, but you will most likely use it in one or two only.

But unlike the other eSIMs, you will get 5G NR access with the AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM.

But if you want to explore your options, check out the SimOptions site.

Although I believe you will have a better experience with the AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM or the other Asia eSIMs mentioned in this guide.

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Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (formerly Discover Global)

Airalo was probably the first eSIM provider to introduce a global eSIM – it was called Discover Global.

I have had decent to good experiences with that eSIM, but I felt it could improve.

Such as extending the validity of most plans (maximum used to be 180 days) and having 5G NR access in popular destinations (like many regional Airalo eSIMs do nowadays, even country-specific ones).

In August 2023, Airalo made a radical change to its global eSIM.

Until then, the eSIM could be used in about 85 countries – always up to 4G/LTE (with some networks on 3G only).

This eSIM was powered by FL1 Telecom Liechtenstein (network name can be Mobilkom (Liechtenstein) at times).

This mobile operator worked well in Europe and some Asian countries, but it was often one of the slowest performing (Airalo eSIMs).

Now, Airalo's global eSIM is called Discover(+).

It is powered by eSIM Go (which is basically Drei Austria).

The difference between the Airalo Discover and Airalo Discover+ eSIMs is that the latter has calling and texting functionalities (with an Austrian +43 phone number).

Because of this, Discover+ eSIMs can be up to 20 USD more expensive than regular Discover eSIMs.

For the previous Airalo Discover Global eSIMs, you paid the same prices as the Discover+ eSIMs for worse availability (85+ countries instead of 130+) and no calling or texting at all.

So… it is an upgrade 😎.

Not only that, but you (finally) get 5G NR access in quite some countries (55+)¹ as well.

¹ click here, press select the variant you want & click on network to see which network(s) allow for 5G NR access. You often have access to multiple local networks, but not all have 5G NR access (and some do not even give you 4G/LTE access)

Moreover, the most expensive option is now valid for a whole year (365 days) instead of 180 days.

The Airalo Discover(+) eSIM can be used in the following 130+ countries:

You have these 12 Airalo Discover Global eSIMs:

1. Discover 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD
2. Discover+ 1 GB (with 10 minutes and 10 SMS) eSIM for 7 days, costing 15 USD
3. Discover 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 17 USD
4. Discover+ 2 GB (with 20 minutes and 20 SMS) eSIM for 15 days, costing 27 USD
5. Discover 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 USD
6. Discover+ 3 GB (with 30 minutes and 30 SMS) eSIM for 30 days, costing 36 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
7. Discover 5 GB eSIM for 60 days, costing 35 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
8. Discover+ 5 GB (with 50 minutes and 50 SMS) eSIM for 60 days, costing 50 USD
9. Discover 10 GB eSIM for 180 days, costing 59 USD
10. Discover+ 10 GB (with 100 minutes and 100 SMS) eSIM for 180 days, costing 79 USD
11. Discover 20 GB eSIM for 365 days, costing 69 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
12. Discover+ 20 GB (with 200 minutes and 200 SMS) eSIM for 365 days, costing 89 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in October based on data up to the 11^th of October (2023 data only).

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AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM

SimOptions also sells a global eSIM: AIS eSIM2FLY Global.

And it can be used in 140+ countries for 15 days – 53 of them with 5G NR access.

The AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM can be used in the following countries:

¹ with 5G NR access

If you get this eSIM from SimOptions, which I recommend, you will pay 39.90 USD.

The main issue I have with the AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM is its short validity.

Making it hard to call it an actual global eSIM… unless you can somehow visit 140+ countries within 15 days – something not even I can do🧐.

Still, it is a relatively affordable global eSIM covering 140+ countries… with 5G NR access!

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Overview of the Best eSIMs for Pakistan

So, we reviewed some eSIMs that can be used in Pakistan.

I will give you a quick recap of each and link to their product pages in case you need more info or want to purchase an eSIM already (just remember the activation policies of Holafly and SimOptions – do not buy their eSIMs too early):

• Airalo Sheesh eSIM (best value for money)
• Alosim Pakistan eSIM (priced roughly the same as Airalo with a bit more options)
• Holafly Pakistan eSIM (unlimited data eSIMs)
• AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM through SimOptions (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported Asian countries (12/32) at a reasonable price but with a short validity – SimOptions does sell other Asian eSIMs, but they are not as good as AIS)
• Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (reasonable extensive global coverage (84+ 130+ countries) at attractive prices + calling and texting options (new))
• AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM through SimOptions (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported countries (53/143) at a reasonable price but with a short validity)

Remember to use code the relevant discount codes for (ADU123 (Nomad), PTW (Alosim), or PHONETRAVELWIZ (others)).

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Buying a SIM Card in Pakistan

Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?

Consider getting a Pakistani SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.