Calling to Pakistan
Making Calls while in Pakistan
Making Calls while in Pakistan
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Information About the Pakistani Telephone System
The telecommunications system in Pakistan is not among the finest in the world, but it is rapidly expanding and improving, at least in urban areas. Much of the rural population still has little access to any telecommunications services. Nonetheless, over 48 million cell phones and over 6 million land lines are in use in the country.
Important Phone Numbers To Know if Traveling to Pakistan
The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is located at Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5 (tel. 51/208-0000). The U.S. Consulate in Lahore is located at 50 Sharah-E-Abdul Hamid Bin Badees near Shimla Hill Rotary (tel. 42/603-4000). The U.S. Consulate in Peshawar is located at 11 Hospital Rd., Cantonment (tel. 91/526-8800).
The U.S. Consulate General in Karachi has closed its public services indefinitely due to security concerns. If you need emergency assistance in Karachi, call 21/520-4200 or 21/520-4400 after hours.
Other Important Information to Know About Pakistan
Time Zone:
GMT + 5.00 hours. Current time in Islamabad.
Currency:
One U.S. dollar is equivalent to 81.86 Pakistani rupees. Current exchange rates for Pakistani rupee.
Population:
168,803,560 (96% Muslim, remainder are Christians, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs, Parsis, Ahmadis, Buddhists, and Animists)
Holidays:
Most of Pakistan’s holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar. However, the nation does celebrate several secular holiday including Pakistan Day (March 23rd), Labor Day (May 1st), Independence Day (August 14th), and Defense Day (September 6th).
Language:
Urdu is the national language of Pakistan though only 8% of the population claims it as their native tongue. Most business and government matters are conducted in English, the official language of the country. Large numbers of Pakistanis also speak Punjabi (44%), Pashto (15%), Sindhi (14%), Seraiki (11%), and Balochi (4%). English speakers may be hard to find outside of urban areas.
Climate:
Pakistan is large, and the climate varies depending upon the region. The north has cold winters and hot summers, while the south is consistently mild. Central regions can hit well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and freezing temperatures in the winters. Late summer often brings monsoons.
Fun Facts About Pakistan
- Pakistani cuisine is similar to that of north India, but the average Pakistani eats three times as much meat as the average Indian.
- The Tharparkar desert in southern Pakistan is the only fertile desert in the world.
- The official and national sport of Pakistan is field hockey, but squash and cricket are also quite popular.
- Pakistan’s national dress is known as the shalwar kameez. It consists of a flowing turban and pants. Women often wear it in brightly colored fabric, while men opt for more subdued shades.
- Islamabad was built in the 1960s to replace Karachi as the Pakistani capital.
- Numerous endangered species make their home in Pakistan including Marco Polo sheep, snow leopards, and Urial sheep.
- Natural features of Pakistan range from sandy beaches and lagoons to the mountains of the Himalayas.
- Popular music in Pakistan ranges from traditional folk songs to western-inspired hip-hop and rock.
- The food in southern provinces like Sindh is spicier than in the north.
- The city of Quetta is a natural fort. It has hills on all sides.
- Popular street snacks include samosas and tikkas; they are cheap and delicious!
- Pakiston is the 6th most populous country in the world!
- Four provinces currently make up Pakistan: Punjab, Sind, Baluchostan, and North-West Frontier Province.
- A popular Pakistani sweet is called barfi. It’s made of dried milk solids and comes in a variety of flavors.
- The name Pakistan means “Land of the Pure” in Sindhi, Urdu, and Persian.
- Lahore is Pakistan’s cultural and educational capital. Try to visit some of its famous bazaars.
- Though Pakistan is officially “dry” (Islam is its state religion), you can find locally brewed beer and spirits at designated bars and high-end hotels.