Technical Guide to Phone Numbers in Pakistan
Quick Reference
- Country: Pakistan
- Country Code: +92
- International Prefix: 00
- National Prefix: 0
Overview
This comprehensive guide provides an in-depth look at Pakistan's telephone numbering system, including phone number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory details. It is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators seeking accurate information on Pakistan's telecom infrastructure.
Numbering Plan Structure
General Number Structure
- Country Code: +92
- Area Codes: 2 to 5 digits
- Subscriber Number: 7 to 8 digits
- Total Length: 10 to 12 digits (including area code)
Number Formats by Type
| Type | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Landline | 0XX-XXXXXXX | 021-3456789 |
| Mobile | 03XZ-XXXXXXX | 0333-1234567 |
| Toll-Free | 0800-XXXXX | 0800-12345 |
| Premium Rate | 0900-XXXXX | 0900-12345 |
| Emergency | XXX | 112 |
Area Codes for Major Cities
| City | Area Code |
|---|---|
| Karachi | 021 |
| Lahore | 042 |
| Islamabad/Rawalpindi | 051 |
| Peshawar | 091 |
| Quetta | 081 |
| Multan | 061 |
Mobile Number Prefixes by Operator
| Operator | Prefix |
|---|---|
| Jazz (Mobilink) | 030X, 032X |
| Telenor Pakistan | 034X |
| Ufone | 033X |
| Zong | 031X |
Example Regular Expressions
- Landline:
^0[1-9]{2}[0-9]{7}$ - Mobile:
^03[0-9]{2}[0-9]{7}$ - Toll-Free:
^0800[0-9]{5}$ - Premium Rate:
^0900[0-9]{5}$
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
- Landline to Landline (Same City): Dial the 7-digit subscriber number directly.
- Landline to Landline (Different City): Dial the area code followed by the 7-digit subscriber number (e.g.,
0XX-XXXXXXX). - Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile number in the format
03XZ-XXXXXXX. - Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly in the format
03XZ-XXXXXXX.
International Calls
- Outgoing International: Dial
00followed by the country code, area code, and subscriber number. - Incoming International: Dial
+92followed by the area code and subscriber number for landlines, or+92-3XZ-XXXXXXXfor mobile numbers.
Number Portability
- Availability: Number portability is available for both mobile and fixed-line services in Pakistan.
- Regulatory Body: Managed by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA).
Regulatory Information
- Regulatory Body: Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA)
- ITU-T Standards: Pakistan adheres to ITU-T Recommendation E.164 for the international public telecommunication numbering plan.
Recent and Upcoming Changes
- Recent Updates: No significant changes to the numbering plan in the last five years.
- Future Changes: No upcoming changes are currently announced.
Number Allocation and Management
- Responsible Body: Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) is responsible for the allocation and management of phone numbers in Pakistan.
- Special Cases: No specific technical restrictions or unique cases like golden numbers are publicly documented.
Technical Considerations
Developer Guidelines
- Validation: Use the provided regular expressions to validate Pakistani phone numbers.
- Number Formatting: Ensure international numbers are formatted with the country code
+92and without the leading0. - Portability Handling: Implement mechanisms to handle number portability, particularly for mobile services.
System Integration
- Dialing Rules: Ensure systems are configured to handle both domestic and international dialing rules correctly.
- Emergency Numbers: Integrate support for emergency short codes (e.g.,
112) into relevant applications.
For the most up-to-date information on telecommunications regulations in Pakistan, please consult the official website of the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA).