Area Code 253 – Dadu

Overview of Area Code 253 (Dadu, Pakistan)

Area code 253 is the National Destination Code (NDC) for the Dadu District in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is a geographic code, meaning it is assigned to a specific physical region and is used for fixed-line (PSTN) telephone services. The code is administered under the national numbering plan of Pakistan, which follows the ITU-T E.164 international standard. Dadu city serves as the administrative headquarters of the district, and the code also covers surrounding towns and rural areas, including Johi, Khairpur Nathan Shah, and Mehar.

Dialing Formats

To call a landline in Dadu, the dialing format depends on the caller's location:

• Within Pakistan (domestic call): Dial 0 253 XXXXXX. The leading 0 is the trunk prefix used to access the national network. The subscriber number is typically 6 digits long, making the complete national significant number (NSN) 9 digits (excluding the trunk prefix).
• From outside Pakistan (international call): Dial +92 253 XXXXXX. Replace the leading 0 with Pakistan's country code +92. For example, to call a Dadu landline with subscriber number 123456, an international caller would dial +92 253 123456.

Geographic Coverage and Administration

Dadu District is located in the southern part of Sindh, bordered by the Indus River. The area code 253 is allocated to the district's telephone exchange network, which is operated by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and other licensed operators. The region is primarily agricultural, and the telecom infrastructure supports both urban and rural connectivity. The code is not an overlay; it is the sole geographic code for the district, although neighboring districts have their own distinct codes.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers within Dadu: If you are calling from another landline within the same exchange area, you may be able to dial only the 6-digit subscriber number without the area code, depending on the local dialing procedure. However, for clarity and to avoid misdialing, it is recommended to always use the full national format.
• Callers from other Pakistani cities: Always include the trunk prefix 0 and the area code 253 before the subscriber number.
• International callers: Use the plus sign (+) or the international access prefix of your country (e.g., 011 in the US) followed by 92, then 253, and the subscriber number. Do not include the leading 0.

Numbering Plan Considerations

As with all geographic codes in Pakistan, the subscriber numbers within area code 253 are fixed at 6 digits. The total length of the national significant number (NSN) for geographic numbers is 9 digits (excluding the trunk prefix). This structure is part of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority's (PTA) numbering plan, which ensures efficient routing and scalability. There are no known overlay codes in Dadu, and the code is not used for mobile or non-geographic services.