A r c h e u s . r o

 Data on Pakistan from the CIA WOrld Factbook, 1996Geography:Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India and IranGeographic coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 EMap references: AsiaArea: total area: 803,940 sq kmland area: 778,720 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than twice the size of CaliforniaLand boundaries: total: 6,774 kmborder countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 kmCoastline: 1,046 kmMaritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nmInternational disputes: status of Kashmir with India; border dispute with Afghanistan (Durand Line); water-sharing problems over the Indus (Wular Barrage) with upstream riparian IndiaClimate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in northTerrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in westlowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 mNatural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestoneLand use: arable land: 23%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 6%forest and woodland: 4%other: 67% (1993)Irrigated land: 170,000 sq km (1992)Environment: current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertificationnatural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life ConservationGeographic note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian SubcontinentPeople:Population: 129,275,660 (July 1996 est.)Age structure: 0-14 years: 42% (male 28,286,823; female 26,640,019)15-64 years: 53% (male 35,396,281; female 33,733,798)65 years and over: 5% (male 2,621,721; female 2,597,018) (July 1996 est.)Population growth rate: 2.24% (1996 est.)Birth rate: 36.16 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)Death rate: 11.22 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)Net migration rate: -2.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)Infant mortality rate: 96.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.46 yearsmale: 57.7 yearsfemale: 59.25 years (1996 est.)Total fertility rate: 5.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)Nationality:noun: Pakistani(s)adjective: PakistaniEthnic divisions: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from India and their descendants)Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 37.8%male: 50%female: 24.4%Government:Name of country: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistanconventional short form: Pakistanformer: West PakistanData code: PKType of government: republicCapital: IslamabadAdministrative divisions: 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier, Punjab, Sindhnote: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern AreasIndependence: 14 August 1947 (from UK)National holiday: Pakistan Day, 23 March (1956) (proclamation of the republic)Constitution: 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30 December 1985Legal system: based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's stature as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsSuffrage: 21 years of age; universal; separate electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for non-MuslimsExecutive branch: chief of state: President Sardar Farooq LEGHARI (since 13 November 1993) was elected for a five-year term by Parliament; election last held 13 November 1993 (next to be held no later than 14 October 1998); results - LEGHARI was elected by Parliament and the four provincial assemblieshead of government: Prime Minister Benazir BHUTTO (since 19 October 1993) was elected by the National Assemblycabinet: Cabinet was elected by the National AssemblyLegislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora)Senate: elections last held NA March 1994 (next to be held NA March 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (87 total) PPP 22, PML/N 17; Tribal Area Representatives (nonparty) 8, ANP 6, PML/J 5, JWP 5, MQM/A 5, JUI/F 2, PKMAP 2, JI 2, NPP 2, BNM/H 1, BNM/M 1, JUP/NI 1, JUP/NO 1, JAH 1, JUI/S 1, PML/F 1, PNP 1, independents 2, vacant 1National Assembly: elections last held 6 October 1993 (next to be held by October 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (217 total) PPP 92, PML/N 75, PML/J 6, IJM-Islamic Democratic Front 4, ANP 3, PKMAP 4, PIF 3, JWP 2, MDM 2, BNM/H 1, BNM/M 1, NDA 1, NPP 1, PKQP 1, religious minorities 10 reserved seats, independents 9, results pending 2Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judicial chiefs are appointed by the president; Federal Islamic (Shari'at) CourtPolitical parties and leaders: government: Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Benazir BHUTTO; Pakistan Muslim League, Junejo faction (PML/J), Hamid Nasir CHATTHA; National People's Party (NPP), Ghulam Mustapha JATOI; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI; Balochistan National Movement, Hayee Group (BNM/H), Dr. HAYEE Baluch; National Democratic Alliance (NDA); Pakhtun Quami Party (PKQP), Mohammed AFZAL Khanopposition: Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction (PML/N), Nawaz SHARIF; Awami National Party (ANP), Ajmal Khan KHATTAK; Pakistan Islamic Front (PIF); Balochistan National Movement, Mengal Group (BNM/M), Sardar Akhtar MENGAL; Mohajir Quami Movement, Altaf faction (MQM/A), Altaf HUSSAIN; Jamiat-al-Hadith (JAH); Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), Akbar Khan BUGTIfrequently shifting: Mutaheda Deeni Mahaz (MDM), Maulana Sami-ul-HAQ, the MDM includes Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Niazi faction (JUP/NI) and Anjuman Sepah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (ASSP); Islami-Jamhoori-Mahaz (IJM-Islamic Democratic Front) includes Jamiat Ulema-i-Islami, Fazlur Rehman group (JUI/F); Pakistan Muslim League, Functional Group (PML/F), Pir PAGARO; Pakistan National Party (PNP); Milli Yakjheti Council (MYC) is an umbrella organization which includes Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Qazi Hussain AHMED, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sami-ul-Haq faction (JUI/S), Tehrik-I-Jafria Pakistan (TJP), Allama Sajid NAQVI, and Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Noorani faction (JUP/NO)note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequentlyOther political or pressure groups: military remains important political force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also influentialInternational organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIH, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrODiplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Maleeha LODHIchancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 939-6200FAX: [1] (202) 387-0484consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New YorkUS diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas SIMONS, Jr.embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabadmailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 6220, APO AE 09812-2200telephone: [92] (51) 826161 through 826179FAX: [92] (51) 214222consulate(s) general: Karachi, Lahoreconsulate(s): PeshawarFlag: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of IslamEconomyEconomic overview: Pakistan is a poor, highly populated Third World country struggling to make the difficult transition to the modern world of high technology and internationalized markets. Prime Minister Benazir BHUTTO has been under pressure from the IMF and other donors to continue the economic reforms and austerity measures begun by her predecessor, caretaker Prime Minister Moeen QURESHI (July-October 1993).  The IMF suspended a $1.5 billion Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) in mid-1995 because Pakistan slowed the pace of economic reform. Islamabad's most recent budget -- announced in June 1995 -- reversed some reforms agreed to by the IMF earlier that year, including a slowing of tariff reform. In mid-December 1995, however, the IMF approved a $600 million standby arrangement and urged Pakistan to move forward with economic liberalization. Islamabad has agreed to new economic targets with the IMF, which could lay the basis for a return to an ESAF in 1996. Little progress was made in the privatization of large state-owned units in 1995.  The sale of the power plant Kot Addu - scheduled for April 1995 - was stalled by opposition from labor unions.  The sale of a 26% share of United Bank Limited and the Pakistan Telecommunications Corporation to strategic investors was due to take place in 1995 but has been pushed back to 1996.  On the plus side real GDP grew 4.7% in 1995, up from 3.9% in 1994: GDP should grow even faster in 1996 as a result of an above average cotton crop.  Secondly, Islamabad reduced the budget deficit to 5.6% of GDP at the end of FY94/95, down from 8% two years earlier.  Thirdly, Pakistan attracted $1.6 billion in foreign direct and portfolio investment in FY94/95, more than double inflows of $650 million in the previous fiscal year; financial agreements were reached on five power projects in 1995, including the 1,300-MW $1.8 billion Hab River project.  Despite these improvements, the economy remains vulnerable to crisis.  Foreign exchange reserves fell dramatically in 1995, reaching a low of about $1 billion in early December 1995 -- only five weeks of import cover -- before rising to $1.5 billion by yearend.  The trade deficit rose to $2 billion for the first six months of FY94/95, triple the deficit of $600 million during the same period in FY93/94.  The government responded to this situation with a package of stabilization reforms on 28 October 1995 which included a 7% devaluation of the rupee, supplementary duties of 10% on many imports, and higher petroleum prices.  Islamabad hopes these moves will help make its exports more competitive.  For the long run, Pakistan must deal with serious problems of deteriorating infrastructure, low literacy levels, and persistent law and order problems in Karachi.GDP: purchasing power parity - $274.2 billion (1995 est.)GDP real growth rate: 4.7% (1995 est.)GDP per capita: $2,100 (1995 est.)GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 24%industry: 27%services: 49% (1995 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13% (1995 est.)Labor force: 36 millionby occupation: agriculture 46%, mining and manufacturing 18%, services 17%, other 19%note: extensive export of laborUnemployment rate: NA%Budget: revenues: $11.9 billionexpenditures: $12.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95)Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, construction materials, clothing, paper products, shrimpIndustrial production growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)Electricity: capacity: 12,530,000 kW (1995)production: 43.3 billion kWh (1995)consumption per capita: 389 kWh (1993)Agriculture: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggsIllicit drugs: major illicit producer of opium and hashish for the international drug trade; remains world's fourth largest opium producer (155 metric tons in 1995); major center for processing Afghan heroin and key transit area for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western marketExports: $8.7 billion (1995 est.)commodities: cotton, textiles, clothing, rice, leather, carpetspartners: US, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, UK, UAE, FranceImports: $10.7 billion (1995 est.)commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, transportation equipment, vegetable oils, animal fats, chemicalspartners: Japan, US, Germany, UK, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, South KoreaExternal debt: $26 billion (1995 est.)Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $697 million (1993)note: $2.5 billion (includes bilateral and multilateral aid but no US commitments) (FY93/94); $3 billion (includes bilateral and multilateral aid but no US commitments) (FY94/95)Currency: 1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisaExchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PRs) per US$1 - 34.339 (January 1996), 31.643 (1995), 30.567 (1994), 28.107 (1993), 25.083 (1992), 23.801 (1991)Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 JuneTransportation:Railways: total: 8,163 kmbroad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified; 1,037 km double track)narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge; 661 km less than 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.)Highways: total: 205,304 kmpaved: 104,735 kmunpaved: 100,569 km (1995 est.)Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 885 km; natural gas 4,044 km (1987)Ports: Karachi, Port Muhammad bin QasimMerchant marine: total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 345,606 GRT/560,641 DWTships by type: bulk 3, cargo 19, oil tanker 1, passenger-cargo 1 (1995 est.)Airports: total: 100with paved runways over 3,047 m: 12with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 11with paved runways under 914 m: 18with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 8 (1995 est.)Heliports: 6 (1995 est.)Communications:Telephones: 1.572 million (1993 est.)Telephone system: the domestic system is mediocre, but adequate for government and business use, in part because major businesses have established their own private systems; since 1988, the government has promoted investment in the national telecommunications system on a priority basis; despite major improvements in trunk and urban systems, telecommunication services are still not readily available to the major portion of the populationdomestic: microwave radio relayinternational: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); microwave radio relay to neighboring countriesRadio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 8, shortwave 11Radios: 11.3 million (1992 est.)Television broadcast stations: 29Televisions: 2.08 million (1993 est.)Defense:Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National GuardManpower availability: males age 15-49: 30,519,339males fit for military service: 18,720,175males reach military age (17) annually: 1,437,208 (1996 est.)Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.1 billion, 5.3% of GDP (FY95/96)