How to Call Pakistan from the UK, US and Canada

Calling someone in Pakistan from abroad shouldn't be difficult. But if you've ever tried ringing a Pakistani number and the call wouldn't connect, you'll know it isn't always as simple as pressing the call button.

To call Pakistan from the UK, US or Canada, dial +92 followed by the Pakistani number without its first zero. If you're using a traditional landline, dial 00 from the UK or 011 from the US and Canada before entering 92.

That's the main thing sorted.

The rest comes down to whether you're calling a mobile or landline, which service you're using and how much you're being charged.

What Is the Country Code for Pakistan?

Pakistan's international country code is +92. It stays the same wherever you're calling from.

What changes is the international exit code.

Think of the exit code as the instruction to make an overseas call, while +92 tells the network that Pakistan is your destination.

Here's what you need:

On most smartphones, holding down the zero key brings up the + symbol.

Using +92 rather than a country-specific exit code is also useful when travelling. You won't need to edit your saved contacts every time you cross a border.

How Do You Call Pakistan from the UK?

If you're calling Pakistan from the UK through your regular phone service, enter 00, then 92, followed by the Pakistani number.

There's no need to include the zero at the beginning of the local number.

For example, suppose a family member gives you this number:

0300 1234567

From a UK landline, you'd dial:

00 92 300 1234567

On a smartphone, use:

+92 300 1234567

These are illustrative numbers, but the format is correct.

One thing to check before making the call is your mobile plan. Having unlimited UK minutes doesn't necessarily mean you can call Pakistan without paying extra.

If you're calling regularly, take a look at the international rates rather than finding out what you've spent when your bill arrives.

How Do You Call Pakistan from the US?

The US uses 011 instead of 00 for traditional international dialling.

Let's say you're in New York and need to ring someone in Lahore. Their Pakistani mobile number is 0300 1234567.

You would dial:

011 92 300 1234567

Or simply +92 300 1234567 from a compatible smartphone.

You don't need to add +1, even though that's the country code for the US.

It's a fairly common mix-up, particularly if you're unfamiliar with international numbers.

Another thing worth checking is whether your American phone provider offers international calling bundles. Calling Pakistan through your regular network could be expensive if you're paying standard per-minute charges.

How Do You Call Pakistan from Canada?

Calling from Canada works much the same way as calling from the US.

The exit code is 011, followed by Pakistan's country code and the local number without its first zero.

So, for our example number, you'd enter:

011 92 300 1234567

If you're calling from a mobile, use +92 300 1234567.

The instructions are the same whether you're in Toronto, Vancouver or elsewhere in Canada.

What isn't necessarily the same is the price.

Different Canadian providers have different international tariffs. Some offer add-ons for overseas calls, while others charge according to the destination and call duration.

Worth checking if your conversations tend to last longer than planned.

How Do You Dial a Pakistani Mobile Number Correctly?

The first zero causes more confusion than anything else.

Pakistani mobile numbers normally have 11 digits when written locally, beginning with 03.

But internationally, you drop that opening zero and add +92.

Here's what that looks like:

All three are illustrative formatting examples.

If someone's already shared their number with +92 at the beginning, you don't need to change it again.

Just save it as received.

And if you're wondering whether this format changes between Pakistani mobile networks, it doesn't. The international dialling rule is the same regardless of which operator the person uses.

How Do You Call a Landline in Pakistan?

Landlines need an area code, which depends on where the number is registered.

Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad don't share the same code.

Here's a quick reference:

Suppose you need to call an office in Karachi and its illustrative landline number is 021 31234567.

From the UK, dial 00 92 21 31234567.

From the US or Canada, dial 011 92 21 31234567.

Notice that the zero before 21 has been removed, but the area code stays.

Landline numbers can have different lengths across Pakistan, so don't add digits just because one looks shorter than another.

Pakistan's official numbering information, published by the International Telecommunication Union, lists the geographic codes and numbering formats.

Do You Need Internet to Make Calls to Pakistan?

Not for every type of call.

If you're calling a regular Pakistani mobile number or landline through a traditional telephone service, neither person needs internet access.

You just need a working phone connection and a service that supports international calls.

With WhatsApp and similar app-to-app services, things work differently.

Both people need the relevant app and an active internet connection.

Now, if your parents have decent Wi-Fi at home, that might work perfectly well.

But what if you're trying to reach your grandmother on a basic keypad phone? Or someone who's run out of mobile data?

An app-to-app call isn't much use in those situations.

Can International Calling Apps Reach Regular Numbers?

Some can.

These services connect a call from an app to an ordinary telephone number. The person receiving it doesn't need to use the same app.

Talk Home App offers this type of international calling, using Wi-Fi, mobile data or supported local access numbers.

That means someone receiving a supported call on their normal phone doesn't need Talk Home App installed, a smartphone or an internet connection.

The caller's requirements depend on the connection method selected.

For more on this, read Can Someone Receive International Calls Without Internet?.

How Much Does It Cost to Call Pakistan from Abroad?

There's no single price that applies to everyone.

Someone calling Pakistan from a UK mobile network might pay a different rate from someone using a US provider or an international calling app.

Even with the same service, calls to Pakistani mobiles and landlines may be priced differently.

Before buying credit or a calling bundle, check:

• The per-minute rate: What will a typical call cost?
• Connection fees: Will you pay something extra when the call connects?
• Number coverage: Are Pakistani mobiles and landlines both supported?
• Bundle validity: When do your purchased minutes expire?
• Billing increments: Will a short call be rounded up to a full minute?

That last one is easy to miss.

If a provider charges in full-minute increments, a call lasting one minute and ten seconds may be billed as two minutes.

Talk Home App provides international calling credit and calling options, but you should check the current Pakistan-specific rates, supported number types and availability for your country before making a purchase.

There's little point choosing a bundle without knowing whether it covers the numbers you actually call.

You can also read Talk Home App's international calling guide to understand how different calling methods work.

Why Isn't Your Call to Pakistan Connecting?

Before trying again and again, check the number you've entered.

A small formatting error could be the whole problem.

Have you left the first zero in?

The correct international format is +92 300, not +92 0300.

Are you calling the correct area code?

For landlines, check the city code. A Karachi code won't work as a substitute for Lahore's.

Does your provider allow international calls?

Some plans restrict overseas calling or require it to be enabled first.

Is your calling balance sufficient?

Check whether your credit has expired or your bundle has run out.

Is the internet connection stable?

For internet-based calls, weak Wi-Fi or mobile data can cause connection problems.

If the number still doesn't work, ask the recipient to confirm it. It's also worth checking whether your service supports that particular destination or number type.

What Time Is It in Pakistan Before You Call?

Pakistan follows Pakistan Standard Time (PKT), which is UTC+5 throughout the year.

The UK, US and Canada have different time zones, and seasonal clock changes affect the time difference.

For example, 10 AM in London during winter means it's 3 PM in Pakistan.

A quick look at your phone's world clock is usually enough to avoid calling someone at an awkward hour.

Add Karachi or Islamabad to your clock, and you won't have to work out the difference every time.

Calling Pakistan Doesn't Have to Be Complicated

Once you've got the number saved correctly, calling Pakistan from the UK, US or Canada becomes much easier.

Remember +92, remove the leading zero, and include the area code if you're calling a landline.

After that, it's about finding a calling method that suits both you and the person you're trying to reach.

If the recipient doesn't have internet or doesn't use calling apps, services such as Talk Home App offer another way to reach regular phone numbers, subject to current destination availability.

Check the rates, pick a suitable time and make the call.

Sometimes you just want to hear how everyone's doing back home.