Zong or Jazz? Where to buy a SIM card in Pakistan, how much data costs, where you’ll have signal in Hunza and Skardu, and what to do when you go completely off-grid.
One of the most practical questions every traveller has before visiting northern Pakistan is: will I have mobile signal and internet? The honest answer is — sometimes yes, sometimes no. Knowing the difference will significantly affect how you plan your trip. This guide covers SIM cards, mobile coverage, data costs, and staying connected across Hunza, Skardu, and beyond.
Absolutely yes, if you plan to stay more than a few days or travel outside of major cities. A local SIM card gives you mobile data at rates far cheaper than international roaming, and lets you make local calls to guesthouses, drivers, guides, and emergency contacts. As a foreign tourist, buying a SIM card in Pakistan is legal and straightforward. You will need to register the SIM against your passport — this is a mandatory legal requirement for all SIM purchases, including those by tourists.
Pakistan has four main mobile operators: Jazz, Zong, Telenor, and Ufone. For travellers heading to Gilgit-Baltistan and the Karakoram Highway corridor, the choice matters enormously because coverage varies sharply in mountain terrain.
Zong is the recommended operator for northern Pakistan. It has the strongest signal along the Karakoram Highway from Islamabad all the way to Sost, and offers the most consistent 4G data in major towns including Gilgit, Karimabad (Hunza), Gulmit, Passu, Skardu, and Khaplu. For most tourists, Zong is the clear first choice.
Jazz dominates in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and other major cities but its network thins significantly once you enter the mountain regions. If you are spending time in cities before heading north, Jazz works well for the urban phase of your trip.
Telenor offers reasonable coverage in Gilgit city and Skardu but is generally weaker than Zong in the upper KKH and remote valleys. Ufone has the weakest coverage in northern Pakistan and is not recommended for travellers spending significant time in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The most convenient option is Islamabad International Airport, where Zong and Jazz both have official counters in the arrivals hall. Bring your passport as it will be scanned for SIM registration. Authorized franchise stores in Islamabad’s F-6, F-7, and Blue Area are also reliable. In Gilgit city and Skardu, operator franchise stores are available in the main bazaar areas. Avoid buying SIM cards from roadside vendors or informal shops — improperly registered SIMs can get blocked shortly after activation.
Pakistan has some of the cheapest mobile data rates in South Asia. Typical Zong packages include: daily packages of 1 to 2 GB for approximately PKR 30 to 50; weekly packages of 5 to 10 GB for approximately PKR 150 to 250; and monthly packages of 15 to 30 GB for approximately PKR 500 to 1,000. These prices change frequently — always check the Zong app for current packages after activating your SIM.
Islamabad and Rawalpindi: excellent 4G on all networks. Karakoram Highway from Islamabad to Gilgit: patchy, good in towns but drops in deep gorges. Gilgit city: good 4G on Zong and Jazz. Karimabad, Hunza: good Zong 4G. Attabad Lake and Gulmit: moderate Zong coverage. Passu: Zong available, often 3G. Sost: basic Zong, mostly 3G. Khunjerab Pass: no mobile coverage. Skardu city: good Zong and Jazz 4G. Shigar Valley: Zong in the main valley, drops further in. Khaplu: Zong in town, limited beyond. Deosai National Park: no mobile coverage. Shimshal Valley: very limited to none — download offline maps before entering. Baltoro Glacier and K2 Base Camp: no mobile coverage — satellite communication is advisable for serious expeditions.
For travellers venturing into remote terrain — Baltoro Glacier, Gondogoro La, Shimshal Pamir, or Haramosh Base Camp — a satellite communicator is strongly recommended. Devices like the Garmin inReach Mini allow two-way messaging and SOS alerting anywhere on Earth via the Iridium satellite network, completely independent of mobile networks. Heritage Hike carries satellite communication devices on all remote expeditions, but a personal device provides an additional layer of safety.
Buy your SIM at Islamabad airport on arrival — it is the most convenient and reliable option. Choose Zong if northern Pakistan is your primary destination. Download offline maps before leaving Islamabad or Gilgit. WhatsApp works well on Pakistani data and is the primary communication method for local guides, drivers, and guesthouses. Screenshot your bookings so they are accessible without internet. Carry a power bank as charging opportunities are limited on long drives and in remote guesthouses. Inform your bank you are travelling to Pakistan to avoid card blocks on foreign transactions.
Most guesthouses and hotels in Karimabad, Gilgit, and Skardu offer Wi-Fi, though speeds vary considerably. In remote valleys, Wi-Fi is either absent or extremely slow. Use guesthouse Wi-Fi in the evenings to upload photos, check emails, and stay in touch with home. Northern Pakistan’s remoteness is, for most travellers, one of its greatest attractions — embrace the offline hours, they tend to be the most memorable parts of the journey.
You might also enjoy these Travel Tips stories
Zong or Jazz? Where to buy a SIM card in Pakistan, how much data costs, where you’ll have signal in Hunza and Skardu, and what to do when you go completely off-grid.
Read MoreFly to Gilgit or drive the Karakoram Highway? A complete, honest guide to every way of getting from Islamabad to Hunza in 2025, with costs, timings, and practical tips.
Read MoreGet the latest travel tips and adventure stories delivered to your inbox
