Call Pakistan from UAE: Verified du, Etisalat & BOTIM Rates (2026)
Call Pakistan from UAE in 2026. WhatsApp/IMO voice blocked — verified du 0.38 AED/min offer, Etisalat DI25 daily pack (AED 5/day), BOTIM Premium, BubblyPhone ~AED 0.44/min, and the Truecaller trick most Pakistani expats miss.
For the 1.6 million Pakistanis living in the UAE, calling family back home means working around the same wall every newly-arrived expat hits: WhatsApp voice and video calls are blocked across all seven emirates, and have been since 2018. The messaging part of WhatsApp works fine; the moment you try to call your father in Lahore, the line refuses. This 2026 guide explains the practical UAE→Pakistan picture: which apps the TDRA has licensed, the verified du and Etisalat per-minute rates to Pakistan (0.38 AED/min and 5 AED/day daily-pack respectively), how BOTIM and GoChat fit in, and why the VPN bypass route is genuinely worth avoiding.
UAE→Pakistan quick reference
Blocked in UAE:
- WhatsApp voice & video
- FaceTime (audio + video)
- IMO voice (mostly — popular in Pakistan but blocked here)
- Viber voice, Messenger voice
- Signal voice
Cheapest verified options to Pakistan:
- du Int'l Savings Offer: 0.38 AED/min (via *135*70#)
- Etisalat DI25 daily pack: AED 5/day (text to 1012)
- BubblyPhone (browser): ~$0.12/min, 30 free min on signup
- BOTIM Premium pack: AED 50–99/month bundle
Pakistan country code: +92 · From UAE: dial 00 92 (number without leading 0), or just +92 from mobile
Why Your WhatsApp Call to Pakistan Isn't Connecting
UAE federal regulator TDRA(Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority) requires VoIP services operating in the country to hold a licence. WhatsApp doesn't. Neither do FaceTime, Viber, Facebook Messenger, IMO, Signal or most consumer voice apps. See our global WhatsApp-voice-blocked map for how UAE compares to Saudi, Iran, Egypt and other restrictive countries. The result, as of Q1 2026, is the same regardless of which side of the conversation you're on:
- WhatsApp / IMO / Messenger texting— works normally on UAE networks
- WhatsApp / IMO / Messenger voice and video— blocked on du, Etisalat and Virgin Mobile networks
- The block is symmetric— if your father in Faisalabad WhatsApp-calls you while you're on a UAE network, the call fails from his end too
- The block applies network-wide— 4G/5G mobile data, home broadband, coffee-shop Wi-Fi, hotel Wi-Fi all enforce the same filter
The VPN trap: UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 makes using a VPN for the purpose of accessing prohibited services punishable by fines up to AED 2 million and possible imprisonment. Personal VPN use for general privacy is grey-zone; specifically using it to bypass the WhatsApp block is the textbook case the law targets. The TDRA-licensed apps below are the safer path.
Full background on UAE VoIP regulation is in our companion guide on free calls in the UAE. For the rest of this article we focus on what actually works for UAE→Pakistan specifically.
TDRA-Licensed Apps for UAE→Pakistan Calls
These apps the UAE regulator has explicitly licensed. All work from any UAE network without VPN tricks. App-to-app means both you and the person in Pakistan need the same app installed.
| App | Free Tier | Useful For Pakistan | Penetration in Pakistan |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOTIM | App-to-app free; Call Out paid | Established in Pakistani diaspora households | Common in urban Pakistan |
| GoChat (Etisalat) | App-to-app free | Works if your relative installs it | Low — mostly UAE-only |
| C'Me (du) | App-to-app free | du subscribers connecting to du subscribers | Very low in Pakistan |
| Truecaller (in-app) | Free between Truecaller users | Quietly excellent option | Very high — Pakistan is a top Truecaller market |
| Google Meet | Free unlimited meetings | Meeting-style, both parties join a link | High among urban / educated users |
| Zoom | Free 40-min meetings | Quick video catch-up | Moderate in Pakistan |
App list verified against TDRA-published guidance (Khaleej Times reference list); penetration estimates from publicly-available 2025–26 user-base figures.
The Truecaller hack most Pakistani expats miss:Truecaller's in-app voice calling works in the UAE (it's not on the TDRA block list) and most Pakistani smartphone users already have Truecaller installed for caller ID— Pakistan is consistently in Truecaller's top user-base rankings. If your contact has it, just open a contact card in the Truecaller app and hit the in-app call button. Free, no setup, no blocked-network workaround needed.
Calling a Real Pakistani Phone Number (Not Just App-to-App)
Free app-to-app calling is useful for friends and family who'll install BOTIM or Truecaller. It doesn't help when you need to call:
- Your mother's old Nokia in a Punjab village that doesn't run apps
- A PTCL landline (the only landline-network alternative in most cities)
- A doctor's reception in Karachi or Lahore
- A Pakistani bank's customer-support line
- A government office (NADRA, passport, FBR, courts)
- A courier, taxi or food-delivery service
For these you need a service that terminates on the Pakistani PSTN. Four options work cleanly from any UAE network in 2026:
BubblyPhone (Browser-Based VoIP)
Works on any UAE network because the call terminates as a normal phone call on the Pakistani side — not subject to the consumer-VoIP filter that blocks WhatsApp. Sign up with email (no UAE phone number, no credit card required), get 30 minutes of signup credit, then about AED 0.44/min ($0.12) to Pakistani mobile and PTCL landline numbers. Browser-only, no app to install on either end.
du International Savings Offer
Activate the du International Savings Offer to drop the rate to Pakistan from the standard tariff to AED 0.38/min (inclusive of 5% VAT). No monthly subscription fee; pay per-second of actual call time. Available on Pay As You Go, Easy Social, Extra Social, and alo prepaid plans.
Activate: dial *135*70# then choose option 1
Trade-off:only works while you're inside the UAE — useless on travel roaming. Pakistan's rate is identical to Bangladesh, China and India under this offer.
Etisalat (e&) DI25 Daily Pack
Etisalat's Daily International Minutes Pack for Pakistan (and India) costs AED 5/day (AED 5.25 inclusive of VAT). The pack auto-renews only on days you actually place a call to Pakistan, so light days cost nothing.
Activate: text DI25 to 1012
Cancel: text C DI25 to 1012
Trade-off:minute count not publicly disclosed (typical daily packs in this AED range bundle 25–50 minutes). The auto-renew model means the cost predictably caps at AED 5/day on heavy-calling days.
BOTIM Call Out
BOTIM's “Call Out” feature lets you call any Pakistani mobile or landline from inside the BOTIM app. Paid via Premium subscriptions sold through du and Etisalat — typically AED 50–99/month bundles. Worth it for heavy daily callers who want single-app convenience.
Trade-off: per-minute breakdown is not transparent; you pay the monthly fee regardless of usage volume.
Real UAE→Pakistan Cost Comparison (2026 Verified)
| Method | Rate to Pakistan | 10-Min Call Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Etisalat standard (no add-on) | ~AED 2.50/min | ~AED 25.00 | Default ISD — avoid this |
| du standard (no offer) | ~AED 1.50/min | ~AED 15.00 | Activate offer first |
| du International Savings Offer | AED 0.38/min | AED 3.80 | *135*70# · UAE-only |
| Etisalat DI25 Daily Pack | ~AED 0.15–0.30/min (assuming 25–50 min) | Within AED 5 daily cap | Auto-renews on calling days |
| BubblyPhone | ~$0.12/min (AED 0.44) | ~AED 4.40 | First 30 min free; works from any country |
| BOTIM Premium pack | Variable | Built into AED 50–99/mo | Best for heavy daily users |
| WhatsApp / IMO / FaceTime | Blocked on UAE networks | N/A | Use a TDRA-licensed app instead |
Rates verified from du, Etisalat (e&), Tello and BubblyPhone published price guides in May 2026. Always confirm current rates with your carrier before activating.
Which App Will Your Family in Pakistan Already Have?
Free app-to-app calling is the cheapest option — but only works if the person in Pakistan also has the app. Rough 2026 install-base picture:
- WhatsApp— ~85% of Pakistani smartphone users. Default for messaging, and the family will WhatsApp-message you, but they can't WhatsApp-call you on UAE networks.
- IMO— very high in Pakistan, particularly among 30+ users and rural households. Uses less data than WhatsApp. Blocked on UAE networks but not blocked on the Pakistan side— useful if your relative tries to call you (won't connect) but more so for understanding their default app.
- Truecaller— consistently a top Pakistan market (millions of users). Most have it installed for caller ID; most don't realise it supports free in-app voice. Truecaller in-app calling is not blocked in UAE.
- Facebook Messenger— common in urban Pakistan (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi). Less common in rural areas.
- BOTIM— common in Pakistani diaspora households that have UAE-resident relatives. Less common in households without that connection.
- FaceTime— iPhone-only; Pakistan's iPhone market share is ~5%, so unlikely to be the default with most recipients.
Practical advice:if your family doesn't already have a UAE contact, they probably don't have BOTIM. Three good options to suggest: (1) have them install BOTIM (one-time setup, then unlimited free calls); (2) use Truecaller in-app calling (most likely already on their phone); (3) call their real number via BubblyPhone (no setup on their side at all).
On the Pakistan Side: PTA Throttling
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) periodically throttles or blocks VoIP services on the Pakistani side — most notably during political tension or security events. Key context for UAE-Pakistan calls:
- Inbound VoIP from UAE to Pakistan is rarely blocked.If you're calling Pakistan from the UAE using BubblyPhone, BOTIM Call Out, or any service that terminates as a regular PSTN call, the Pakistani side accepts it normally. PTA disruptions usually affect calls placed from inside Pakistan.
- Outbound VoIP from Pakistan can be throttled.Particularly affects your relative trying to WhatsApp / IMO / Messenger-call you back. Sustained throttling incidents through 2023–2024 degraded these services in Pakistan for weeks at a time during political events.
- If your relative reports their calls to you dropping or sounding bad, first check whether PTA throttling is currently active on the Pakistan side, then switch apps until one connects cleanly (WhatsApp → IMO → Messenger → Truecaller voice). A real-number callback from your side via BubblyPhone usually works even when the Pakistan-side VoIP is blocked.
Dialling Pakistan from a UAE Phone
The Format
00 92 + (Pakistani number without leading 0)Or from a mobile or VoIP app:
+92 + numberExamples:
- Lahore PTCL landline 042 1234 5678 →
+92 42 1234 5678 - Karachi PTCL landline 021 3456 7890 →
+92 21 3456 7890 - Islamabad PTCL landline 051 1234 5678 →
+92 51 1234 5678 - Jazz mobile 0300 1234567 →
+92 300 1234567
Pakistani Mobile Prefix Decoder
Pakistani mobile numbers start with 03 domestically. From the UAE, drop the leading 0 and prefix with +92. The third digit tells you which carrier the number is on:
| 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, 321, 322, 323, 324 | Warid (Jazz) | Merged into Jazz network in 2018 |
| 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337 | Ufone / PTCL | State-owned operator |
| 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346 | Telenor | Norwegian-owned, strong in rural areas |
Call Pakistan from the UAE, Legally and Cheaply
BubblyPhone works on du, Etisalat and Virgin Mobile networks. Email signup only, no UAE phone number required, 30 minutes free credit, then ~$0.12/min to any Jazz, Zong, Ufone, Telenor or PTCL landline number.
Get 30 Free Minutes →Common Questions
What is the cheapest way to call Pakistan from UAE in 2026?
Three verified low-cost paths: (1) du International Savings Offer at 0.38 AED/min via *135*70# (no monthly fee); (2) Etisalat DI25 daily pack at AED 5/day for Pakistan and India combined (text DI25 to 1012); (3) BubblyPhone browser dialler at ~$0.12/min with 30 minutes free on signup. For app-to-app free calls, install BOTIM and ask your relative to install it too. Avoid Etisalat's standard ~AED 2.50/min ISD rate — it's 5× the alternatives.
Why are WhatsApp and IMO calls blocked in the UAE?
The UAE telecoms regulator (TDRA) requires VoIP services operating in the country to hold a licence. WhatsApp, IMO, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger and Viber don't hold one, so their voice/video features are blocked at the network layer by du and Etisalat. Messaging on the same apps continues to work. The policy has been in place since 2018 and remains active in Q1 2026.
Can I use a VPN to call Pakistan via WhatsApp from UAE?
Legally risky. UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 makes using a VPN for the purpose of accessing prohibited services punishable by fines up to AED 2 million and possible imprisonment. The TDRA-licensed apps (BOTIM, GoChat, C'Me) and browser-based VoIP services like BubblyPhone cover almost every UAE-Pakistan calling scenario without the legal risk.
Does Truecaller in-app calling work for Pakistan from UAE?
Yes — and this is the most-underused free option for the UAE-Pakistan corridor. Truecaller's in-app voice (between two Truecaller users) is not on the TDRA block list, so it works on du and Etisalat networks. Pakistan is one of Truecaller's largest user-base markets — most adult Pakistani smartphone users already have it installed for caller ID. Open the contact in Truecaller, tap the in-app call icon. Free, no setup, no VoIP workaround needed.
Can I call a PTCL landline in Pakistan from the UAE?
Yes. PTCL landline calls always require a service that terminates on the Pakistani PSTN — BubblyPhone, BOTIM Call Out, du International Savings Offer and Etisalat DI25 all reach PTCL. Format: +92 + STD code (without leading 0) + local number. Major cities: Karachi +92 21, Lahore +92 42, Islamabad +92 51, Faisalabad +92 41, Multan +92 61, Rawalpindi +92 51.
Will my family in Pakistan see my UAE number when I call?
Depends on the service. Calls placed from your du or Etisalat SIM show your UAE mobile number (typically +971 5x xxx xxxx) as the caller ID. BubblyPhone shows the verified outbound number you configure in your account. BOTIM Call Out typically shows a BOTIM-assigned number, which Pakistani recipients don't always recognise — sending a WhatsApp message ahead helps.
Does the du International Savings Offer work for roaming in Pakistan?
No — the offer only applies while you're physically in the UAE. If you're visiting Pakistan and want cheap calls back to a UAE number, you'll be on full international roaming rates instead. The Etisalat DI25 pack has the same limitation. A browser-based VoIP service like BubblyPhone works identically whether you're in the UAE or visiting Pakistan, because it doesn't depend on your home SIM.
Does Pakistan's PTA block incoming VoIP calls from UAE?
Incoming VoIP calls (UAE→Pakistan) are rarely blocked — PTA disruptions typically affect outbound VoIP from inside Pakistan, not incoming calls. If your call from the UAE fails to connect, the more likely cause is the UAE-side block on consumer VoIP apps (WhatsApp/IMO/etc.). Switch to a TDRA-licensed app or a real-number VoIP service like BubblyPhone, and the call should connect cleanly to Pakistan.
Related Resources
Call India from UAE
Companion UAE-India guide
Free Calls in UAE
What's legal, what's blocked
Free Call to Pakistan (from US)
For the US Pakistani diaspora
Pakistan (+92) Country Code
Dialling format and area codes
Call Philippines from UAE
Filipino diaspora calling guide
All Calling Rates
BubblyPhone per-country pricing