Area Code 716 – Sukkur

Geographic Overview and Jurisdiction

The +92 716 country-code prefix is the National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Sukkur telephony exchange area in Pakistan. This code serves the city of Sukkur, which is the administrative headquarters of the Sukkur District in the Sindh province. The coverage area extends to the immediate urban and peri-urban zones of Sukkur, including its industrial and commercial districts. As a geographic code, it is tied to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) infrastructure of the region, operated primarily by the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and other licensed fixed-line operators.

Dialing Formats and Procedures

For callers within Pakistan, the local dialing format is 0716-XXXXXX (or 0716XXXXXX without the hyphen). The trunk prefix '0' is used before the area code when dialing from any other part of Pakistan. For international callers, the format is +92 716 XXXXXX (or 0092 716 XXXXXX when using the international access code '00' from most countries). The subscriber number length is typically six digits, making the total national significant number (NSN) ten digits (including the leading '0' for domestic calls).

Geographic Coverage and Local Significance

Sukkur is a major commercial and transit hub in northern Sindh, known for the Sukkur Barrage and its strategic location along the Indus River. The 716 code covers not only the central city but also the surrounding areas within the Sukkur District, including the towns of Rohri, Saleh Pat, and other adjacent settlements that are part of the same local calling area. The code is used for both residential and business landlines, and it is also utilized by some wireless local loop (WLL) services that operate in the region.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest ITU-T E.164 national numbering plan updates, there is no overlay code for the Sukkur area. The 716 code is unique to this geographic region, and no other area code shares the same numbering area. However, with the expansion of telecommunication services, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has implemented number portability for fixed lines, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when switching between operators within the same geographic area. This does not affect the geographic significance of the code, as the number remains associated with the Sukkur exchange.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers within Sukkur: For calls to another fixed line in the same area code, dial the seven-digit subscriber number (e.g., 123456). However, for calls to mobile numbers or other area codes, the full national format with the trunk prefix is required.
• Domestic callers from outside Sukkur: Dial 0716 followed by the subscriber number (e.g., 0716 123456).
• International callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00, 011) followed by 92, then 716, and the subscriber number (e.g., 00 92 716 123456).

For businesses and individuals in Sukkur, the geographic code provides a local presence and can be used for customer service lines, office communications, and other fixed-line services. When marketing or publishing contact details, it is essential to present the number in international format (+92 716...) to facilitate calls from abroad.