Keeping in touch while living in Pakistan

Hello everyone,

What are the best ways you've found for keeping in touch with friends and family back home while living in Pakistan? How frequently do you stay in touch with loved ones?

Are there local equivalents to common instant messaging and online video calling services that you prefer or are more widely used?

If there is a sizeable time difference, how do you manage this?

Do you make international phone calls from a landline or mobile phone from Pakistan? What do you think of the cost?

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Priscilla