Call Pakistan from Saudi Arabia: STC Sawa SAR 0.04/min Verified (2026)
Call Pakistan from Saudi Arabia 2026 — STC Sawa International at SAR 0.04/min ($0.011) is the cheapest verified option. WhatsApp and IMO both work on Saudi networks. Full Jazz/Zong/Ufone/Telenor prefix decoder for ~1.6M Pakistani expats in KSA.
Approximately 1.6 million Pakistanis live in Saudi Arabia, the second- largest South Asian community after Indians. Concentrated in construction, hospitality, domestic-help and oilfield-services sectors across Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca and Medina, the Pakistani-Saudi corridor is one of the most active diaspora calling routes in the world. The good news for callers: WhatsApp voice was unblocked in September 2017, and STC's Sawa International offers Pakistan calling at SAR 0.04/min ($0.011/min)— among the cheapest international rates anywhere globally. This guide covers the verified 2026 options, PTA (Pakistan) side considerations, and the Jazz/Zong/Ufone/Telenor prefix decoder.
Saudi→Pakistan quick reference
Generally works on Saudi networks:
- WhatsApp voice/video
- IMO voice (huge in Pakistan)
- Viber, Messenger voice
- Truecaller in-app voice
Verified cheapest options:
- STC Sawa International to Pakistan: SAR 0.04/min (~$0.011)
- STC Flex Pakistan: 300 min/28 days for SAR 80.5
- BubblyPhone (browser): ~$0.12/min, 30 free min
- WhatsApp / IMO / Truecaller: free between users
Pakistan country code: +92 · From Saudi: dial 00 92 (number without leading 0), or +92 from mobile
WhatsApp and IMO Work in Saudi (Unlike UAE)
Saudi Arabia is significantly more permissive than the UAE on consumer VoIP. The Saudi government lifted the WhatsApp / Skype / FaceTime / Viber voice ban in September 2017. Since then, the major apps function on STC, Mobily and Zain networks. For Pakistani families, this matters especially because IMO is the #2 voice app in Pakistan(after WhatsApp) — especially in 30+/rural households — and IMO voice also works on Saudi networks (it's blocked on the UAE side).
Status is “mostly works” rather than guaranteed. Periodic throttling has been reported. If WhatsApp fails, switch to IMO or Truecaller in-app voice. Full Saudi-side VoIP context in our Saudi free calling guide and the regional comparison in WhatsApp voice blocked by country.
On the Pakistan Side: PTA Considerations
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has periodically throttled VoIP services on the Pakistani side — most notably during political tension events in 2023–2024. Key points for Saudi→Pakistan callers:
- Inbound calls from abroad are rarely blocked.If you're calling Pakistan from Saudi, the call typically connects.
- Outbound VoIP from Pakistan is the disruption pattern.If your relative tries to WhatsApp / IMO-call you in Saudi and it fails, that's usually PTA-side throttling, not Saudi-side.
- A real-number callback from Saudi via BubblyPhone or STC ISD almost always works, because it terminates as a regular PSTN call on the Pakistani side.
Verified Saudi→Pakistan Cost Comparison (May 2026)
| Method | Rate to Pakistan | 10-Min Call | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STC standard (no add-on) | ~SAR 1+/min | ~SAR 10 | Activate Sawa International instead |
| STC Sawa International (Pakistan) | SAR 0.04/min | ~SAR 0.40 (~$0.11) | Call 1500 (free) or mySTC app |
| STC Flex Pakistan | 300 min for SAR 80.5 | Within bundle | 28-day cycle; send plan code to 900 |
| Mobily International Minutes | ~SAR 0.27–0.50/min via bundle | ~SAR 2.70–5.00 | Via My Mobily app or *1800# |
| BubblyPhone (browser) | ~$0.12/min | ~$1.20 | Email signup; 30 min free credit |
| WhatsApp / IMO / Truecaller (in-app) | Free | Free | App-to-app; both need it |
STC Sawa International Pakistan rate verified from STC public pages, May 2026. BubblyPhone Pakistan rate from /rates/pakistan. Mobily and Zain bundles vary by plan tier; verify with carrier.
The honest comparison: for sustained Pakistan calling on an STC SIM, Sawa International at SAR 0.04/minbeats BubblyPhone's $0.12/min (~SAR 0.45) by 11×. BubblyPhone's advantage is roaming (Sawa rates don't apply outside Saudi), travel scenarios, and verified caller ID for businesses. Honest answer: if you make most of your Pakistan calls from your Saudi SIM, activate Sawa International — we're not the cheapest for this corridor.
Pakistani Mobile Carrier Decoder
Pakistani mobile numbers start with 03 domestically; from Saudi, drop the leading 0 and prefix with +92. Third digit identifies the carrier:
| Prefix (after +92) | Carrier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 300, 301, 302, 304, 308, 309 | Jazz / Mobilink | Largest Pakistani network |
| 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316 | Zong | CMPak (China Mobile) |
| 320–324 | Warid (merged into Jazz) | Merged 2018 |
| 330–337 | Ufone / PTCL | State-owned operator |
| 340–346 | Telenor | Norwegian-owned; strong rural coverage |
Major Pakistani Landline Area Codes
| City | Dial from Saudi |
|---|---|
| Karachi | +92 21 |
| Lahore | +92 42 |
| Islamabad / Rawalpindi | +92 51 |
| Faisalabad | +92 41 |
| Multan | +92 61 |
| Peshawar | +92 91 |
Call Pakistan from Saudi Cheaply
BubblyPhone works on STC, Mobily and Zain. Email signup, 30 free minutes, then ~$0.12/min to any Jazz, Zong, Ufone, Telenor or PTCL landline number. For sustained STC-SIM calling, activate Sawa International at SAR 0.04/min.
Get 30 Free Minutes →Common Questions
What is the cheapest way to call Pakistan from Saudi Arabia in 2026?
For STC subscribers, STC Sawa International at SAR 0.04/min ($0.011/min) is the cheapest verified option. Subscribe free by calling 1500. For app-to-app calling, WhatsApp and IMO both generally work on Saudi networks since the 2017 unblock. BubblyPhone's browser dialler at ~$0.12/min is the option for non-STC users, international travel, or callers who need verified outbound caller ID.
Does IMO work in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. IMO voice generally functions on Saudi networks since the 2017 lift of the VoIP ban. This matters for the Saudi-Pakistan corridor specifically because IMO is the #2 voice app in Pakistan, especially among 30+/rural users. If your relative defaults to IMO rather than WhatsApp, both should work from your Saudi side — unlike UAE where IMO voice is blocked.
Why does my call to Pakistan sometimes drop or sound bad?
Two likely causes: (1) Saudi-side throttling of app-based VoIP — occasional quality issues even though the apps are officially permitted; (2) Pakistan-side PTA throttling, which is more common during political tension and primarily affects outbound VoIP from Pakistan. If app calls fail, switch app (WhatsApp → IMO → Truecaller voice) or use a real-number service like STC Sawa International or BubblyPhone which terminate as PSTN calls on the Pakistani side.
What is STC Sawa International and how do I activate it?
Sawa International is STC's paid international-calling add-on for prepaid Sawa SIMs. Drops per-minute rates to popular destinations: SAR 0.04/min to Pakistan, SAR 0.05/min to India, similar low rates to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Indonesia. Activate by calling 1500from your Sawa SIM (free) or via the mySTC app. No monthly subscription fee — you only pay for the calls.
Can I call PTCL landlines in Pakistan from Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Any service that terminates on the Pakistani PSTN reaches PTCL landlines. STC Sawa International, Mobily international bundles, Zain plans and BubblyPhone all connect. Format: Karachi +92 21, Lahore +92 42, Islamabad +92 51, Faisalabad +92 41, Multan +92 61, Peshawar +92 91, all followed by 7-digit local numbers.
What time zone is Pakistan? When's the best time to call from Saudi?
Pakistan is on PKT (UTC+5); Saudi Arabia is on AST (UTC+3). Pakistan is 2 hours aheadof Saudi year-round. Best calling windows: 7–9 PM Saudi hits 9–11 PM Pakistan (evening, family home from work). 8–10 AM Saudi is 10 AM–12 PM Pakistan, also good for catching family before/around lunch.
Will my family in Pakistan see my Saudi number when I call?
Depends on the service. Calls from your STC, Mobily or Zain SIM show your Saudi mobile number (+966 5x xxx xxxx) as caller ID. BubblyPhone shows the verified outbound number you configure in your account. Apps like WhatsApp / IMO display the calling user's profile rather than a phone number on the recipient's screen.
Does Truecaller in-app voice work in Saudi to Pakistan?
Yes. Truecaller's in-app voice calling (between Truecaller users) works on both Saudi and Pakistani networks. Pakistan is one of Truecaller's largest user-base markets — most adult Pakistani smartphone users have it installed for caller ID. Worth checking if your contact uses Truecaller before defaulting to WhatsApp or a paid call.
Related Resources
Free Calls in Saudi Arabia
Saudi VoIP landscape
Call India from Saudi Arabia
Saudi-India corridor
Call Pakistan from UAE
UAE corridor (more restrictive)
Free Call to Pakistan
Global Pakistan calling guide
Pakistan (+92) Country Code
Dialling format and area codes
All Calling Rates
BubblyPhone per-country pricing