Long distance calls to Pakistan?

[fobcoder]

Hey
question for Expat pakistanis living in North America...What service do you use to call back home?

A few months ago, the Pakistani's increased the long distance calling fee's so almost every service is charging atleast 6 cents a minute to call Pakistan. (compared to 1.9 cent to call India)
Any reason for calls to Pakistan being so expensive?

 

[A.Rafay]

I use Skype. Can talk for hours.

 

[Major Sam]

recently PTA removed taxes let see hopefully prices will go down again

 

[fobcoder]

I use Skype. Can talk for hours.

What part of long distance call did you not understand?

 

[A.Rafay]

What part of long distance call did you not understand?

I understand what you said. My answer was offtopic, Recently those taxes were removed but still calls are expensive.

 

[fobcoder]

when were they removed? I searched it online and it seems some sources are saying that they are removed, others are saying that they haven't been removed
Also is there a preferable VOIP program you guys use to call Pakistan?

 

[v9s]

when were they removed? I searched it online and it seems some sources are saying that they are removed, others are saying that they haven't been removed
Also is there a preferable VOIP program you guys use to call Pakistan?

Yeap, they've been removed (turns out the whole thing was a cartel set up by telecom stakeholders in Pakistan to mint more money) but i'm not sure if prices have gone down yet.

My family uses MagicJack. Set up an account with them, send the magicjack usb thing (or ask them to install the magicjack app on their iPhone or android phone) to your family in Pak and you can call them like you'd call a local US/Canadian number.

when were they removed? I searched it online and it seems some sources are saying that they are removed, others are saying that they haven't been removed
Also is there a preferable VOIP program you guys use to call Pakistan?

Yeap, they've been removed (turns out the whole thing was a cartel set up by telecom stakeholders in Pakistan to mint more money) but i'm not sure if prices have gone down yet.

My family uses MagicJack. Set up an account with them, send the magicjack usb thing (or ask them to install the magicjack app on their iPhone or android phone) to your family in Pak and you can call them like you'd call a local US/Canadian number.

 

[fobcoder]

Yeap, they've been removed (turns out the whole thing was a cartel set up by telecom stakeholders in Pakistan to mint more money) but i'm not sure if prices have gone down yet.

My family uses MagicJack. Set up an account with them, send the magicjack usb thing (or ask them to install the magicjack app on their iPhone or android phone) to your family in Pak and you can call them like you'd call a local US/Canadian number.



Yeap, they've been removed (turns out the whole thing was a cartel set up by telecom stakeholders in Pakistan to mint more money) but i'm not sure if prices have gone down yet.

My family uses MagicJack. Set up an account with them, send the magicjack usb thing (or ask them to install the magicjack app on their iPhone or android phone) to your family in Pak and you can call them like you'd call a local US/Canadian number.

That requires Internet connection. I am trying to call people who have no Internet connection.

 

[fobcoder]

So I just received this email from the company I use for long distance calls:
Update to Pakistan pricing
Hello __________
The recent tax on international calls to Pakistan that caused a sharp rise in prices is currently being disputed in the Lahore High Court, but has yet to be definitively abolished.
We are keeping a close eye on the situation with our carriers, and as soon as they are able to reduce their prices we will pass these savings straight on to you. Find out more.
Thank you for your patience during this time.
Kind regards,
The Localphone Team


It turns out the tax still exists:
http://www.ptclworkers.com/news/tax...yet-pakistan-telecommunication-authority-pta/

 

[W.11]

my uncle lives in canada, he said the taxes are removed and it will take like one weak to get implemented

 

[fobcoder]

according to the article i posted above it seems that the news about taxes being removed was not true and the case is being heard in courts

 

[Major Sam]

according to the article i posted above it seems that the news about taxes being removed was not true and the case is being heard in courts

the article you posted was of 5th December and on the same day they removed taxes on international calls

 

[Raja.Pakistani]

I am using this free service which let you make free International calls by using your UK free minutes. Dont know if this service is available from your country

Free International Calls from UK with O2, Orange and TMobile: Use Cheap Inclusive Mobile Minutes

I have got unlimited UK landlines calls which i can use to make international callings. I have got internet at back home so i use viber/tango most of the times. Tango video call is much better than skype especially on cellphones. If you want free SMS services to pakistan then try smsmarkazor

as for taxes

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-n...012/pta-abolishes-tax-on-incoming-int-l-calls