no, I got my puk code from my phone operator when I moved services before. at least in the UK it works that way.

Yes, but you are unlikely to have your PUK code (its on the card you got your sim with) if you have also lost the sim.

Its a much more losable bit of plastic, and without it (or a contract) why would an operator give you the PUK code for a number they can’t prove you used to have access to? It would be impossible to tell if you are trying to steal someones number.