Area Code 746 – Larkana

Geographic Overview

The +92 746 country-code/area-code combination is the ITU-T E.164 designated National Destination Code (NDC) for the Larkana region in the Sindh province of Pakistan. This geographic prefix is assigned to the Larkana Local Exchange Area, which encompasses the city of Larkana and its surrounding administrative subdivisions, including the talukas of Larkana, Bakrani, and portions of Dokri. Larkana serves as the divisional headquarters of Larkana Division and is one of the most historically significant cities in Sindh, being the gateway to the ancient Indus Valley civilization site of Mohenjo-daro.

Dialing Formats and Call Routing

For domestic callers within Pakistan, the trunk prefix '0' is used before the area code, so a local number is dialed as 0746-XXXXXXX. The subscriber number within the Larkana exchange is typically seven digits long, resulting in a total national significant number (NSN) of ten digits (excluding the trunk prefix). For international callers, the format is +92 746 XXXXXXX (or 0092 746 XXXXXXX from countries using the international prefix 00). The plus sign (+) represents the international access code, which varies by country (e.g., 011 from the United States, 00 from most European countries).

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The 746 code covers the urban and rural areas of Larkana District, including the city of Larkana itself, which is the 15th largest city in Pakistan by population. The exchange serves both residential and commercial customers, including government offices, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. The region is primarily agricultural, with major crops including rice, wheat, and sugarcane, but the city is also a commercial hub for upper Sindh.

Overlay and Numbering Plan Considerations

As of the current Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) numbering plan, there is no overlay code for the Larkana area. The 746 code remains the sole geographic NDC for this region. However, with the ongoing digital migration and the expansion of fixed-line services, the PTA has implemented measures to ensure number portability and efficient use of numbering resources. Callers should always verify the current dialing procedures, especially when calling from mobile phones, as some mobile operators may require the area code even for local calls.

Instructions for Callers

• Local callers (within Larkana): For calls within the same exchange, dial the seven-digit subscriber number directly (if supported) or use the full 0746-XXXXXXX format.
• National callers (outside Larkana): Dial 0746 followed by the seven-digit subscriber number.
• International callers: Dial your country's international access code, then 92 (Pakistan's country code), then 746, and then the seven-digit subscriber number. For example, from the UK, dial 00 92 746 XXXXXXX; from the US, dial 011 92 746 XXXXXXX.

Always replace XXXXXXX with the actual subscriber number. For any discrepancies or updated dialing rules, consult the PTA or your service provider.