The state-run telecom player Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has lowered international call rates to some member countries of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) by 15-35 percent.

The new move, effective from Saturday, would enable BSNL customers, both mobile and landline, to make calls to Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Bhutan at cheaper rates.

Under the post-paid plan 725, BSNL users can make calls to the four countries at Rs 9 per minute instead of the existing Rs 10. Under the post-paid and pre-paid plans, call charges to these countries would be Rs 9 per minute instead of Rs 12.

For BSNL fixed line users, call charges to these four countries would now be Rs 9.60 per minute, down from the earlier charges of Rs 12 per minute.

BSNL is also planning to cut call rates to Middle Eastern countries, a company official said.