Area Code 252 – Dadu

Overview of Area Code 252 (Dadu, Pakistan)

Area code 252 is the National Destination Code (NDC) for the Dadu region in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is a geographic code assigned under the country's national numbering plan, which adheres to ITU-T E.164 recommendations. The code covers the administrative district of Dadu and its surrounding areas, including the city of Dadu itself and nearby towns such as Mehar, Khairpur Nathan Shah, and Johi. These localities are served by fixed-line PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) connections, as well as fixed wireless and VoIP services that are allocated numbers within this geographic code.

Dialing Format

To call a landline number in Dadu from within Pakistan, you must dial the national trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 252, and then the subscriber's 7-digit local number. The complete national dialing format is: 0 252 XXX XXXX.

For international callers, you need to dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 from most countries, or 011 from the US/Canada), followed by Pakistan's country code +92, then the area code 252 (without the leading zero), and finally the local 7-digit number. The international format is: +92 252 XXX XXXX.

Local vs. International Dialing

When calling from another city within Pakistan, you must always include the trunk prefix 0 before the area code. For example, to call a Dadu number from Karachi, you would dial: 0 252 XXX XXXX. However, if you are calling from within the same exchange area (i.e., from another number in Dadu), you can often omit the area code and dial only the 7-digit local number, though this depends on the specific local dialing rules of your service provider.

For international callers, it is crucial to drop the leading 0 from the area code when dialing from abroad. Thus, the correct international dialing sequence is: +92 252 XXX XXXX.

Numbering and Overlays

Currently, there are no overlay codes in effect for the Dadu area. The area code 252 is exclusively assigned to the geographic region of Dadu. All fixed-line numbers within this code are 7 digits long, making the total length of a Pakistani national significant number (NSN) 10 digits (including the area code). This structure is consistent with the national numbering plan.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers within Dadu: Dial the 7-digit subscriber number directly.
• National callers from other cities: Dial 0 252 followed by the 7-digit number.
• International callers: Dial your exit code, then 92 252, then the 7-digit number.

Always confirm the exact number with your recipient, as mobile numbers in Pakistan are non-geographic and begin with 3 (e.g., 0300, 0333) and are not associated with this area code.