Call Pakistan from UK: 8 Cheapest Methods (2026)
Complete guide to calling Pakistan from UK. Compare 8 methods from free to £0.01/min. Learn dialing format (+92), Karachi/Lahore area codes, and IMO tips.
Need to call Pakistan from the UK? With over 1.5 million British Pakistanis, calls between the UK and Pakistan are among the most common international routes. This guide covers all the best and cheapest methods to call Pakistan in 2026, from free app-to-app calls to affordable VoIP services.
Quick Answer
Cheapest way to call Pakistan from UK: Use BubblyPhone for just £0.01/min to Pakistani mobiles and landlines. For free calls, use WhatsApp or IMO if both parties have the app.
Dialing format: +92 + city/mobile code + phone number
Example: +92 21 XXXXXXXX (Karachi landline) or +92 3XX XXXXXXX (mobile)
In This Guide
8 Best Methods to Call Pakistan from UK
1. BubblyPhone
Cost: £0.01/min to mobiles & landlines
Call Quality: HD voice over internet
Requirements: Internet connection, free app
Pros: Lowest rates, no contracts, works worldwide
Cons: Requires internet connection
BubblyPhone offers the cheapest rates from the UK to Pakistan at just 1p per minute. Simply download the app, add credit, and dial Pakistani numbers directly. Perfect for regular callers who want to save money without sacrificing call quality.
Try BubblyPhone Free →2. WhatsApp
Cost: Free (app-to-app)
Call Quality: HD voice & video
Requirements: Both parties need WhatsApp
Pros: Free, widely used in Pakistan, video calls
Cons: Can't call regular phone numbers
WhatsApp is extremely popular in Pakistan's urban areas and among younger generations. If your contacts have WhatsApp, you can make unlimited free voice and video calls. Over 65 million Pakistanis use WhatsApp.
3. IMO
Cost: Free (app-to-app)
Call Quality: Good on low bandwidth
Requirements: Both parties need IMO
Pros: Works well on slow internet, popular in Pakistan
Cons: Less common in UK
IMO is hugely popular in Pakistan, especially in rural areas and among older generations because it works well even on 2G/3G networks. If your family in Pakistan prefers IMO, it's worth installing for free calls.
4. Viber
Cost: Free (app-to-app), £0.015/min (Viber Out)
Requirements: Internet, Viber app
Pros: Competitive Viber Out rates
Cons: Less popular than WhatsApp in Pakistan
Viber offers free app-to-app calls and competitive Viber Out rates to call Pakistani phone numbers. While not as popular as WhatsApp or IMO in Pakistan, it's a solid option.
5. Skype
Cost: Free (Skype-to-Skype), £0.017/min (landlines), £0.024/min (mobiles)
Requirements: Internet, Skype account
Pros: Works on all devices, subscription plans
Cons: Higher rates than BubblyPhone
Skype is a reliable option with monthly subscription plans available. However, pay-per-minute rates are higher than VoIP alternatives like BubblyPhone.
6. UK Mobile Carriers
Cost: £0.40-£1.50/min (varies by carrier)
Requirements: UK mobile contract
Pros: No app needed, familiar
Cons: Very expensive
Standard UK carrier rates to Pakistan are extremely expensive. EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three all charge premium rates. Only use this as a backup option.
7. International Calling Cards
Cost: £0.02-£0.05/min (varies)
Requirements: Purchase card, dial access number
Pros: No smartphone needed, prepaid
Cons: Hidden fees, access numbers
Calling cards are available at UK newsagents and corner shops, popular in areas with large South Asian communities. Watch out for connection fees and maintenance charges that reduce actual minutes.
8. BT Landline
Cost: £0.45-£0.75/min
Requirements: BT landline service
Pros: Reliable, no internet needed
Cons: Expensive, landline required
BT standard international rates to Pakistan are expensive. Consider BT's International add-ons for reduced rates if you call frequently, but VoIP is still cheaper.
How to Dial Pakistan from UK
Dialing Format
00 + 92 + Area Code + Phone Number
Or use + instead of 00
Calling a Karachi Landline:
+92 21 XXXX XXXX
21 = Karachi area code
Calling a Pakistani Mobile:
+92 3XX XXX XXXX
3XX = mobile prefix
Pakistan Area Codes
| City | Area Code | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Karachi | 21 | +92 21 XXXX XXXX |
| Lahore | 42 | +92 42 XXXX XXXX |
| Islamabad | 51 | +92 51 XXX XXXX |
| Rawalpindi | 51 | +92 51 XXX XXXX |
| Faisalabad | 41 | +92 41 XXX XXXX |
| Multan | 61 | +92 61 XXX XXXX |
| Peshawar | 91 | +92 91 XXX XXXX |
| Quetta | 81 | +92 81 XXX XXXX |
Pakistani Mobile Carrier Prefixes
Pakistani mobile numbers start with 3XX after the country code. Here are the major carriers:
Jazz (Mobilink)
030X, 031X, 032X, 033X
Pakistan's largest carrier
Zong
031X
China Mobile subsidiary
Telenor Pakistan
034X, 0345
Norwegian telecom company
Ufone
033X
PTCL subsidiary
Best Times to Call Pakistan
Time Difference
Pakistan is 5 hours ahead of the UK (GMT+5 vs GMT).
During British Summer Time (BST), Pakistan is 4 hours ahead.
Pakistan does not observe daylight saving time.
Best Calling Windows
UK Morning (7-9 AM)
→ Pakistan: 12-2 PM (lunch time)
UK Evening (5-8 PM)
→ Pakistan: 10 PM-1 AM (evening)
UK Weekend Morning
→ Pakistan: Afternoon (ideal for families)
Most Popular Calling Apps in Pakistan
#1 in Urban Areas
65M+ users, popular among younger generations
IMO
#1 for Video Calls
Works on slow connections, popular in villages
Messenger
Growing Fast
Popular with Facebook users
Note: Ask your contacts in Pakistan which app they prefer for the best experience
Price Comparison: UK to Pakistan Calls
| Service | Mobile Rate | Landline Rate | Connection Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| BubblyPhone | £0.01/min | £0.01/min | None |
| Free* | N/A | None | |
| IMO | Free* | N/A | None |
| Viber Out | £0.015/min | £0.015/min | £0.08 |
| Skype | £0.024/min | £0.017/min | £0.08 |
| EE | £0.50/min | £0.50/min | Varies |
| Vodafone UK | £1.00/min | £1.00/min | Varies |
| BT Landline | £0.75/min | £0.45/min | £0.23 |
* Free app-to-app calls only. Rates as of January 2026.
💰 Monthly Savings Example
If you call Pakistan for 60 minutes per week (240 min/month):
UK Mobile Carrier
£120-£240/mo
Calling Cards
£7-£12/mo
BubblyPhone
£2.40/mo
Save up to £237/month with BubblyPhone!
Start Calling Pakistan for Just 1p/min
Join thousands of British Pakistanis who save hundreds of pounds each year with BubblyPhone. No contracts, no hidden fees.
Get Started Free →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the country code for Pakistan?
Pakistan's country code is +92. When calling from the UK, dial 00 92 or +92 followed by the area code and phone number.
What is the cheapest way to call Pakistan from UK?
The cheapest way to call Pakistani phone numbers is using VoIP apps like BubblyPhone at £0.01/min. For free calls, use WhatsApp or IMO if your contact has the app installed.
What time should I call Pakistan from UK?
Pakistan is 5 hours ahead of the UK (4 hours during BST). The best times are UK morning (7-9 AM = Pakistan lunch) or UK early evening (5-7 PM = Pakistan late evening).
Do I need to remove the 0 from Pakistani numbers?
Yes! Pakistani domestic numbers often start with 0 (like 021 for Karachi or 0300 for mobiles). When dialing internationally, drop this leading 0 and add +92 instead.
Which app is most used in Pakistan for calls?
WhatsApp is #1 in urban areas and among younger Pakistanis. IMO is very popular in rural areas and for video calls because it works well on slow internet. Ask your contacts which they prefer.