667 vs 668 Pakistan is Pakistan’s most searched SIM-related comparison — yet most guides answer it wrong. They either claim 667 checks any number remotely (it does not), or they list both codes without explaining the technical reason they cannot substitute for each other. This hub fixes both problems: exact reply formats, live-verified pricing, the free alternatives most guides skip, and the 2026 CNIC expiry crisis that makes this comparison more urgent than ever.
For the full overview of every legal SIM check method together, start at sim owner details complete guide.
667 vs 668 Pakistan in 45 Seconds
667 — Insert SIM in phone. Type
MNP. Send to 667. Returns: registration name, masked CNIC (first 5 + last 1 digits), activation date. Only works for the SIM physically in your phone. Cost: Rs. 0.50–2.668 — Type 13-digit CNIC without dashes. Send to 668. Returns: count of active SIMs per operator on that CNIC. Free alternative: cnic.sims.pk (shows actual numbers + disown option, zero cost). Cost: Rs. 2 + taxes.
76367 — Type any 11-digit Pakistani number. Send to 76367. Returns: network name only. Standard SMS rate. Works for any number remotely.
Why They Query Completely Different Systems
The core 667 vs 668 Pakistan confusion exists because both feel like “SIM check” tools — but they tap completely different data layers:
667 queries your operator’s subscriber database for the MSISDN of the SIM physically in your device. It cannot check a number you type — it reads the SIM identity of the device sending the query. This is why 667 only works for your own SIM in hand.
668 queries PTA’s SVMS directly using a CNIC as the key. It simultaneously scans all operator records and returns counts. This is why 668 gives a cross-network view — it is a centralized PTA query, not an operator-level one.
76367 queries the MNP (Mobile Number Portability) database — a separate registry tracking current network ownership of every Pakistani MSISDN. After any port, 76367 reflects the new network within 24–48 hours.
These three systems are architecturally separate. A query designed for one system returns no meaningful result on another.
Complete Side-by-Side Comparison
| 667 | 668 | 76367 | cnic.sims.pk | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Send | MNP | 13-digit CNIC | 11-digit number | Web portal login |
| To | 667 | 668 | 76367 | cnic.sims.pk |
| Returns | Name + masked CNIC + date | SIM count per operator | Network name only | Full numbers + dates + disown |
| Cost | Rs. 0.50–2 | Rs. 2 + taxes | Standard SMS rate | Free |
| Checks any stranger’s number? | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Network only | ❌ No |
| Needs internet? | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Can disown unauthorized SIM? | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Works from overseas? | ⚠️ Roaming only | ⚠️ Roaming only | ⚠️ Roaming only | ✅ Full |
Free USSD Codes — The Option Most Guides Miss
Every Pakistani network offers free USSD self-check codes that show your own number’s basic details instantly — no SMS charge, no internet needed:
| Network | Free USSD Code | Helpline |
|---|---|---|
| Jazz | *99# | 111 |
| Zong | *310# | 310 |
| Ufone | *336# | 333 |
| Telenor | *345# | 345 |
| ONIC | *345# | 345 |
| SCO | Helpline only | 711 |
USSD vs 667 vs 668: USSD gives your own number instantly and free — useful for feature phone users, elderly users, or simple number confirmation. It does not return registration name, CNIC, or owner verification. For identity verification, use 667. For CNIC audit, use 668 or cnic.sims.pk.
The 2026 Crisis: 8.1 Million SIMs on Expired CNICs
This is the most important 667 vs 668 Pakistan update of 2026 and entirely missing from existing guides:
PTA’s April 8, 2026 advisory confirmed:
- 8.1 million active SIMs are linked to approximately 4.5 million CNICs that require renewal
- 223,000 CNICs have been expired for over a decade
- 3.2 million SIMs were already blocked against deceased individuals between July 2024 and June 2025
- 5.122 million SIMs were blocked overall in the financial year 2024–25
Why this matters for 667 vs 668 users:
If your CNIC has expired and you have not renewed it, running a 668 check may show your SIMs as “active” today — but PTA’s progressive blocking means they could face suspension without notice. The fix is: renew your CNIC at NADRA, then run a check all SIMs on your CNIC to confirm all your SIMs properly updated.
If a 667 check on your own SIM returns an unexpected result after a CNIC renewal, it means the registration record needs updating at your operator franchise — because 667 returns the name as it was at registration time, not necessarily the current NADRA record.
668 vs cnic.sims.pk: The Practical Difference
This specific comparison is the most searched follow-up question after the core 667 vs 668 Pakistan query — and most guides skip it:
668 SMS is better when:
- No internet access (feature phone, rural area, low connectivity)
- You just need a quick count and no further action is needed
- You want a documented SMS record with timestamp
cnic.sims.pk is better when:
- You need to see actual mobile numbers (not just counts)
- You need to submit a disown request for an unauthorized SIM
- You are an overseas Pakistani with browser access but unreliable short code SMS
- You want activation dates and operator breakdown in one view for a complaint
The critical distinction: 668 shows how many SIMs per operator. cnic.sims.pk shows which numbers. If 668 returns “Jazz: 2” but you only own one Jazz SIM, you cannot identify the unauthorized number from 668 alone. You need cnic.sims.pk for the next step.
Full cnic.sims.pk walkthrough with disown steps is at check all SIMs on your CNIC. The full 667 reply format, error codes, and mismatch scenarios are at check SIM owner name with 667.
Decision Guide: Pick the Right Code in 10 Seconds
Need to know which network a number belongs to?
→ Send number to 76367
Need to check your own SIM’s registered owner?
→ SIM in phone → send MNP to 667
Need to audit all SIMs on your CNIC?
→ Have internet? → cnic.sims.pk (free, shows numbers, disown option)
→ No internet? → Send CNIC to 668 (Rs. 2, count only)
Need to remove an unauthorized SIM?
→ cnic.sims.pk only → disown flow → check all SIMs on your CNIC
Accessing from overseas?
→ cnic.sims.pk or PTA app → overseas Pakistani SIM check
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between 667 and 668 Pakistan?
667 checks the SIM physically in your phone — it returns that SIM’s registration name, masked CNIC, and activation date. 668 checks all SIMs across every network registered on a CNIC — it returns per-operator counts. They query different systems and cannot be used interchangeably in the 667 vs 668 Pakistan comparison.
Is 668 free in Pakistan?
No. PTA’s 668 SMS costs Rs. 2 plus applicable taxes per query. The completely free alternative is cnic.sims.pk — Pakistan’s official PTA portal that returns the same data plus actual number lists and a disown option.
Can I use 667 to check who owns a number I received a call from?
No. 667 only identifies the SIM physically in your phone by reading its MSISDN — you cannot type a stranger’s number into the message body and get their details. For the network of any number, use 76367. Understanding who owns any number beyond network identification is legally restricted under PECA 2016.
Why are 8.1 million SIMs at risk in 2026?
PTA’s April 2026 advisory confirmed 8.1 million active SIMs are linked to expired CNICs. PTA warned these SIMs face blocking if CNICs are not renewed. Over 223,000 of these CNICs have been expired for over a decade. Run check all SIMs on your CNIC to confirm your own SIM status.
What does 76367 return after a network port?
After a successful MNP port, 76367 reflects the new network within 24–48 hours — making it the fastest confirmation that a port completed successfully, often faster than the operator’s own confirmation SMS.
What should I do if 668 shows more SIMs than I own?
First, use cnic.sims.pk to see the actual numbers. Then submit a disown request for the unknown number directly on the portal. If the SIM appears actively used for financial fraud, also file a complaint with FIA Cyber Crime at cybercrime.gov.pk or call 1991. Full emergency steps at check all SIMs on your CNIC.
How do SIM swap cases connect to 667 and 668 checks?
SIM swap fraud grew by 183% in 2024 in Pakistan — attackers take over your number to intercept OTPs. A monthly 668/cnic.sims.pk check to confirm no unexpected SIMs are on your CNIC, combined with 667 verification before any financial transaction, is the baseline prevention habit that directly counters this attack pattern.
Is there a way to check 667 vs 668 Pakistan from outside the country without paying roaming SMS charges?
Yes. Use cnic.sims.pk (for 668-equivalent data) and the PTA mobile app from any Wi-Fi connection abroad — both work without Pakistani SIM or roaming charges. For 667-equivalent verification from abroad, there is no direct free alternative — the SIM must be physically accessible. Full overseas guide at overseas Pakistani SIM check.