🔄 PTA Number Portability Shortcode

667 MNP SIM Check — The Complete Guide To Checking Portability Status

667 is PTA's dedicated shortcode for Mobile Number Portability (MNP) — it tells you whether a number can be ported to a new network, whether a porting request is already in progress, and which operator a number currently sits on. This guide covers the exact SMS format, what each reply means, and how to avoid the most common porting mistakes.

📩 Check Portability Via 667 🌐 Verify Ownership First

The Basics

What Mobile Number Portability Actually Means

Mobile Number Portability, or MNP, is the regulatory feature that lets you keep your existing mobile number while switching to a completely different network operator. Instead of losing years of contacts and accounts tied to one number, MNP moves the number itself between Jazz, Zong, Telenor, Ufone, and SCOM while everything else about the SIM changes underneath it.

Every mobile number in Pakistan is technically registered with a "home" network at the operator level, even though from the outside all numbers look identical regardless of which company they started on. When you port a number, PTA's central MNP database updates a routing record that tells every other operator's network which company currently owns that number — so calls and texts route correctly no matter who you're on. The 667 shortcode is simply a direct window into that same routing record, letting you check its current state before you start a formal porting request.

This matters most in three situations: before you request a port, so you know it's actually eligible; while a port is processing, so you can track it instead of guessing; and after a port completes, so you can confirm it landed correctly. If you haven't yet confirmed which SIMs sit on your CNIC in the first place, it's worth running a 668 SIM check before you request any port, so you're certain which number you're moving.

You→Send number to 667

667→Queries PTA's MNP routing database

Database→Confirms current network & port eligibility

Reply→Status lands back in seconds

Exact Steps

How To Check Portability Status Via 667

The format is short, but a few details trip people up — walk through each step below.

01Open your messaging app

Any SIM on any network can send this check — you don't need to be on the number you're checking, and no data connection is required for this step.

02Type the 11-digit mobile number

Enter the full number starting with the network prefix, with no leading zero removed and no spaces or dashes — for example, a number written as 0300-1234567 on paper should be typed as 03001234567.

03Set the recipient to 667

Enter 667 as the destination exactly as you would any other shortcode — no country code, no plus sign, no extra characters.

04Send the message

This is billed as a standard outgoing SMS at your operator's normal rate — there's no premium charge for querying 667.

05Read the reply carefully

The response tells you the number's current operator and whether it's eligible for a fresh port request, or already mid-process. Don't confuse "current operator" with "original operator" — a previously ported number will show its new network here, not the one it started on.

06Proceed with your operator of choice

If the reply confirms eligibility, the actual port request is submitted through the new operator you're switching to — not through 667 itself. 667 is a status check, not the porting mechanism.

Get It Right First Time

Do's And Don'ts Before You Port A Number

✅ Do

✓Check 667 status before walking into a new operator's franchise.
✓Confirm the number has no unpaid postpaid balance on the current network first.
✓Keep the original SIM active until the port fully completes.
✓Bring your original CNIC to the new operator — porting still requires biometric verification.
✓Recheck 667 after 24–48 hours if your port shows as "in process."

🚫 Don't

✕Cancel or discard the old SIM before the new one is confirmed active.
✕Assume every number is automatically portable — some are locked by unpaid dues or open disputes.
✕Port a number that isn't registered to your own CNIC without the owner's consent.
✕Submit a second port request while one is already showing as pending.
✕Pay any third party claiming to speed up or guarantee a port for a fee.

Reading The Reply

What Each Portability Status Means

The 667 reply uses a small set of standard terms. Here's what each one actually tells you about the number.

Eligible

The number is fully clear to port — no unpaid dues, no open porting requests, and no lock in effect. You can proceed directly to a new operator.

In Process

A port request has already been submitted and is moving through PTA's system, which typically takes a few hours to a few working days to finalize.

Not Eligible

The number is currently blocked from porting, most often due to an unpaid postpaid bill, a very recent prior port, or a formal dispute on file.

Coverage

Porting Works Between All Five Networks

667 reports status regardless of which network a number currently sits on, and MNP itself works in every direction between these five operators — there's no restriction on which network you're porting from or to.

Jazz

Ports in and out freely

Zong

Ports in and out freely

Telenor

Ports in and out freely

Ufone

Ports in and out freely

SCOM

Limited to AJK & Gilgit-Baltistan coverage areas

Choosing A Method

667 SMS vs. Asking At The Franchise Counter

📩 667 SMS Check

The fastest way to confirm eligibility before you commit to a trip anywhere, and it works without visiting any physical location. The only limitation is that it tells you status, not the reason behind an ineligible result in detail — for that, you'll still need to ask your current operator directly.

🏢 New Operator's Franchise

Slower to start since it requires a visit, but the staff there can look up the specific reason a number is blocked from porting — an outstanding balance, a contract lock, or a documentation mismatch — and often resolve simple issues on the spot. Best used once 667 has already confirmed the number should be portable and you're ready to submit the actual request.

If you're also unsure which SIMs are currently on your CNIC before porting any of them, our PTA SIM Check Online guide covers every method for confirming that first.

When Things Go Wrong

Common Porting Problems & How To Resolve Them

⚠667 shows "not eligible" with no reason given

Fix: contact your current operator's helpline directly — they can see the specific lock reason that 667 doesn't display.

⚠Port has been "in process" for over a week

Fix: follow up with the new operator you requested the port through, since delays usually sit on their end, not PTA's.

⚠New SIM activated but old one still works too

Fix: this is normal for a short overlap window; the old SIM deactivates automatically once porting fully finalizes.

⚠Number shows the wrong "current" network

Fix: wait 24 hours for routing records to fully propagate after a recent port before rechecking.

⚠Porting rejected due to unpaid postpaid bill

Fix: clear the outstanding balance with your current operator, then retry the port request from the new network.

⚠667 message fails to send

Fix: confirm your active package includes standard-rate SMS, since some bundles exclude shortcode traffic.

⚠Number was recently ported and can't port again

Fix: PTA enforces a cooling-off period between ports on the same number — wait for that window to pass before requesting again.

⚠Biometric verification fails at the new franchise

Fix: bring your original, undamaged CNIC — a photocopy or expired card is the most common cause of a failed re-verification.

⚖️

Use responsibly: only initiate a port for a number registered to your own CNIC, or with the explicit consent of the person it belongs to. Attempting to port a number you don't own, or that's registered under someone else's identity without their knowledge, can raise legal issues under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. If you discover a number under your CNIC has been ported without your consent, contact your operator immediately and, if confirmed fraudulent, file a report with the NCCIA.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does checking 667 cost anything?

No — it's billed exactly like a normal outgoing text at your operator's standard SMS rate, with no premium charge for the shortcode itself.

How long does a full port actually take once it's eligible?

Most ports complete within a few hours to a couple of working days after being submitted at the new operator, though it can vary if there's a backlog or a documentation issue.

Can I check the portability of a number that isn't mine?

The 667 check itself doesn't require ownership to view basic status, but actually porting that number requires the CNIC holder's consent and biometric verification.

Will I lose my number's history, contacts, or call records?

No — porting only changes which operator carries the number; your contacts and any data stored on your device are unaffected.

Is there a limit to how many times a number can be ported?

There's no permanent limit, but PTA enforces a cooling-off period between consecutive ports on the same number to prevent abuse.

Can a prepaid number be ported the same way as postpaid?

Yes — both prepaid and postpaid numbers are portable, though postpaid numbers must have all outstanding dues cleared first.

What happens to my old SIM after the port completes?

It deactivates automatically once the new SIM goes live — you don't need to manually cancel or return the old one.

Can SCOM numbers be ported to networks outside AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan?

SCOM's coverage and porting availability is regionally limited, so it's worth confirming directly with SCOM or the receiving operator before requesting.