Lost & Found in Pakistan — FAQ for Every Situation
Comprehensive lost and found FAQ for Pakistan. Lost at airport, bus, mall, hospital, mosque, school — 30+ questions answered with step-by-step guidance and emergency contacts.
Airports and Flights
My bag didn't arrive at the airport — what do I do?
Before leaving the baggage claim area: report to the airline's baggage services desk. Never leave the airport first. Get a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with a reference number. Most bags are found and delivered within 24-72 hours. For detailed guidance on each airline, see our Airline Luggage Guides.
I left something on an airplane — how do I report it?
Contact the airline's lost property department immediately. For PIA: 051-111-786-786. For Emirates: call customer service or visit the baggage desk at your arrival airport. Items found on aircraft are held at the airline's lost and found — usually accessible for 30-90 days. Act quickly.
Can I track my lost luggage?
Yes. Most airlines provide online baggage tracking via your PIR number. Emirates: emirates.com/baggage-tracing. PIA: piabaggage.com (if available) or call PIA baggage. Qatar: qatarairways.com. All airlines should give you a web-tracking link when you file your PIR.
Phones and Electronics
My phone was snatched — immediate steps?
1) From any phone: log into Google/Apple account and enable Lost Mode. 2) Call your carrier to block the SIM (Jazz: 111, Telenor: 345, Zong: 310, Ufone: 333). 3) Contact your bank to block mobile banking. 4) File FIR at police station with phone's IMEI number (find IMEI on original box or from carrier records).
How do I block a stolen SIM card in Pakistan?
Call your carrier helpline: Jazz 111, Telenor 345, Zong 310, Ufone 333. Report theft and request immediate block. You'll need your CNIC number to verify identity. Replacement SIM with the same number: PKR 50-100 from any franchise with CNIC.
I lost my phone but it wasn't stolen — it's somewhere I've been. What now?
Enable Find My Device / Find My immediately from google.com/android/find or icloud.com/find. Put the phone in Lost Mode to display a callback message. Ring the phone remotely if it might be in a specific location. Check lost and found at the venue (restaurant, mall, mosque, hospital) you last visited.
Documents — CNIC, Passport, License
I lost my CNIC — what do I do?
Visit the nearest NADRA office with your B-Form (birth registration) or any CNIC copy you have. File an FIR first if it was stolen. NADRA replacement fees: Normal PKR 750 (30 days), Urgent PKR 1,500 (10 days), Executive PKR 3,000 (5 days). See our full NADRA guide for step-by-step process.
I lost my passport — what do I do?
If stolen, file an FIR first. Then visit the nearest Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGIP) office. Book an appointment at dgip.gov.pk. Fees range from PKR 3,000-18,000 depending on type and urgency. If lost abroad, contact the Pakistani embassy immediately for an Emergency Travel Document.
I lost my driving license — what do I do?
In Punjab: visit dlims.punjab.gov.pk or nearest DLIMS office. In Sindh: visit Motor Vehicle Branch. In KPK/Balochistan: Regional Transport Authority. Fees: approximately PKR 300-700. FIR recommended but not always required. See our full driving license replacement guide.
Vehicles
My car was stolen — what are the immediate steps?
1) Call 15 (police emergency). 2) Note the exact location where the car was last parked. 3) File FIR at the nearest police station immediately (FIR is critical for insurance and excise records). 4) Call your insurance company. 5) Contact MTMIS (Motor Transport Management Information System) to flag the vehicle. See our full guide on what to do when your car is stolen.
My motorcycle was stolen — steps?
Same as car: call 15, file FIR, contact insurance. Additionally: post in local neighborhood WhatsApp groups with registration number and description — motorcycle recovery through community reporting is common in Pakistan. QR tags inside the bike (under seat) help if it's recovered by police.
Wallets and Cash
I lost my wallet — steps?
1) Call all your banks immediately to block cards (most have 24/7 helplines). 2) Block your SIM if your sim number was saved only in the wallet. 3) Check common areas you've visited today. 4) File a complaint at the nearest police station. 5) Start NADRA CNIC replacement process if CNIC was in wallet. QR tag on wallet prevents most lost-wallet situations.
I lost cash — is there any hope of recovery?
Cash is the hardest lost item to recover — it's untraceable. However, lost wallets containing cash are returned more often than expected in Pakistan when the wallet has contact information. A QR tag on your wallet means honest finders can return it quickly. Most cash losses are permanent — keep your emergency cash separate from your wallet.
Pets
My dog/cat is missing — what do I do immediately?
1) Search your immediate neighborhood and common hiding spots. 2) Post on local Facebook groups (Karachi Lost & Found, Lahore Pet Lost & Found, etc.) with photo and last seen location. 3) Visit your nearest vet — stray pets are often brought in. 4) Post notices in your neighborhood. 5) Contact local SPCA or animal rescue organizations. A QR tag on your pet's collar gives any finder your contact directly.