Pakistan utilizes several international "region codes" depending on the context, primarily for telecommunications and standardized country identification. The most commonly referenced codes include its country calling code (+92) for international phone calls and its ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 (PK) and alpha-3 (PAK) codes for global data exchange and representation.
Region codes are essential for various international systems, facilitating communication, trade, logistics, and data management by providing a standardized, unambiguous way to identify countries and their specific attributes.
Country Calling Code for Pakistan
The country calling code, also known as an international direct dial (IDD) code or country dial-in code, is a telephone numbering prefix used for calling a telephone subscriber in Pakistan from outside the country.
- Code: +92 or simply 92
- Usage: When making an international call to a landline or mobile number in Pakistan, you must dial the international access code of your country (e.g.,
00for many European countries,011for North America), followed by Pakistan's country code92, and then the area code and local number.
Example:
To call a number in Lahore, Pakistan (area code 42) from the United States:
011 (US exit code) + 92 (Pakistan country code) + 42 (Lahore area code) + [Local Number]
ISO 3166-1 Codes for Pakistan
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines widely recognized codes for countries and their subdivisions under the ISO 3166 standard. Specifically, ISO 3166-1 provides three sets of country codes: alpha-2, alpha-3, and numeric. These codes are crucial for many international systems, including shipping, finance, and software development.
ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 Code (PK)
The ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code is a two-letter country code commonly used for Internet domains, currency codes, and passport information. It is concise and widely recognized.
- Code: PK
- Common Uses:
- Top-level domain names (e.g.,
.pkfor Pakistan's internet domain). - Currency codes (e.g., PKR for Pakistani Rupee).
- Identification in travel documents and payment systems.
- Top-level domain names (e.g.,
ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 Code (PAK)
The ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code is a three-letter country code that offers a more intuitive, mnemonic representation of a country name, often used in global financial transactions and data analysis.
- Code: PAK
- Common Uses:
- Used by various international organizations and sports federations (e.g., International Olympic Committee).
- Representing countries in databases and statistical reporting.
- Airline ticketing and freight manifests.
Summary of Pakistan's Region Codes
Here's a concise overview of the key region codes for Pakistan:
| Code Type | Code | Description | Common Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country Calling Code | +92 (or 92) |
Used for international telephone dialing. | Facilitating international phone calls to landlines and mobile phones within Pakistan. |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 | PK |
A two-letter code for country identification. | Internet domain names (e.g., .pk), currency codes (e.g., PKR), geopolitical data, software localization, and shipping labels. Refer to the official ISO Online Browsing Platform for more details. |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 | PAK |
A three-letter code for country identification, often more intuitive. | International organizations, sports, air travel (e.g., IATA, ICAO), diplomatic protocols, and more detailed country representation in databases. Consult the ISO Online Browsing Platform for comprehensive information. |
These codes ensure seamless global interaction, from a simple phone call to complex international logistics and data management, by providing clear and universally understood identifiers for Pakistan.
