Area Code 428 – Lahore
The phone area code for Lahore is 428 (international format +92428). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📍 Geographic Location of Lahore
Overview of Area Code 428 (Lahore)
Area code 428 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the city of Lahore, the capital of Punjab province and the second-largest metropolitan area in Pakistan. This code is part of the country's E.164 numbering plan, administered by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Lahore is a major economic, cultural, and administrative hub, hosting numerous government institutions, corporate headquarters, educational centers, and industrial zones. The geographic coverage of code 428 includes the central districts of Lahore, such as Gulberg, Model Town, Johar Town, and the historic Walled City, as well as surrounding suburban areas that fall within the Lahore Metropolitan Corporation limits.
Dialing Formats and Usage
For callers within Pakistan, dialing a Lahore landline requires the national trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 428, and then the subscriber's 7-digit local number. The complete national format is: 0-428-XXXXXXX. For example, a local number 1234567 would be dialed as 0428-1234567 from anywhere in Pakistan.
International callers must use Pakistan's country calling code +92, omit the trunk prefix, and dial: +92-428-XXXXXXX. For instance, the same number would be dialed as +92 428 1234567 from abroad. It is crucial to note that the area code 428 is distinct from the older, more widely recognized code for Lahore, which is 42. The introduction of 428 is part of an overlay plan to expand numbering capacity in the region. As a result, both codes may coexist, and callers should always verify the exact code with the recipient to avoid misdialing.
Overlay Considerations and Caller Instructions
Because Lahore has multiple area codes, local calls within the city may require the full national format, including the area code, even for calls within the same geographic region. This is known as a closed dialing plan. For local callers, dialing just the 7-digit subscriber number may not work; they must include the trunk prefix and area code. For example, a call from a landline in Gulberg to another landline in Johar Town would be dialed as 0428-XXXXXXX.
For foreign callers, it is essential to replace the leading zero with the country code. Thus, the international format is +92 428 XXXXXXX. Mobile users in Pakistan can dial the same format as landline users. Always confirm the correct area code with the recipient, as misdialing may route your call to a different city or service.