Pakistan

Radio broadcast stations

AM 26, FM 8, shortwave 11

Radios

11.3 million (1992 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 population domestic: microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries

Telephones

1.572 million (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations

29

Televisions

2.08 million (1993 est.)

Agriculture - products

cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs

Budget

revenues : $12.5 billion expenditures: $14 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.8 billion (FY95/96 est.)

Currency

1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisa

Debt - external

$28.6 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid

recipient: $2.6 billion from all bilateral and multilateral sources (FY95/96)

Economy - overview

Pakistan is a poor, highly populated Third World country struggling to make the difficult transition to the modern world of high technology and international markets. Even though GDP growth has remained strong, at roughly 5% annually, international confidence in Prime Minister Benazir BHUTTO's government declined in 1996. The IMF suspended a Standby Agreement in the spring; foreign investment declined; and the budget and trade deficits rose substantially. In October 1996, BHUTTO responded to IMF pressure to implement reforms, devaluing the rupee by about 8% and raising petroleum prices in an attempt to slow the drain on foreign exchange reserves. But Islamabad still failed to meet IMF revenue and borrowing targets. Pakistan's interim government - in power since President LEGHARI sacked BHUTTO on 5 November 1996 - agreed to slash the budget deficit, push down bank borrowing, implement an agricultural tax; and speed up reforms in the financial sector; accordingly, the Standby Agreement was reinstated in December 1996 and a tranche of $80 million released; but Pakistan fell out of compliance in February 1997. For the long run, Pakistan must deal with serious problems of deteriorating infrastructure, low literacy levels, and persistent sectarian and political violence.

Electricity - capacity

13.17 million kW (1994)

Electricity - consumption per capita

403 kWh (1995 est.)

Electricity - production

46.1 billion kWh (FY95/96)

Exchange rates

Pakistani rupees (PRs) per US$1 - 40.120 (January 1997), 36.078 (1996), 31.643 (1995), 30.567 (1994), 28.1 (1993), 25.1 (1992); note - annual average of official rate; parallel market rate is higher

Exports

total value: $8.3 billion (FY95/96) commodities: cotton, textiles, clothing, rice, leather, carpets partners: US, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, UK, UAE, France

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP

purchasing power parity - $296.5 billion (1996 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 24.8% industry: 26.5% services: 48.7% (1996)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $2,300 (1996 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5.5% (1996 est.)

Imports

total value: $12 billion (FY95/96) commodities : petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, transportation equipment, vegetable oils, animal fats, chemicals partners: Japan, US, Germany, UK, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, South Korea

Industrial production growth rate

6.1% (FY95/96 est.)

Industries

textiles, food processing, beverages, construction materials, clothing, paper products, shrimp

Inflation rate - consumer price index

10.8% (FY95/96)

Labor force

total: 36.7 million (1997) by occupation: agriculture 47%, mining and manufacturing 17%, services 17%, other 19% note : extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor

Unemployment rate

NA%

Area

total : 803,940 sq km land: 778,720 sq km water: 25,220 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of California

Climate

mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north

Coastline

1,046 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m

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; desertification

Environment - 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 Conservation

Geographic coordinates

30 00 N, 70 00 E

Geography - note

controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent

Irrigated land

171,100 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 6,774 km border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km

Land use

arable land: 27% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 5% other : 61% (1993 est.)

Location

Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards

frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)

Natural resources

land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone

Terrain

flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in west

Administrative divisions

4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier, Punjab, Sindh note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas

Constitution

10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30 December 1985

Country name

conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan conventional short form: Pakistan former: West Pakistan

Data code

PK

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas W. SIMONS, Jr. embassy : Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200 telephone: [92] (51) 826161 through 826179

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Riaz KHOKAR chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6200

Executive branch

chief of state: President Sardar Farooq LEGHARI (since 13 November 1993) head of government : Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz SHARIF (since 17 February 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 13 November 1993 (next to be held no later than 14 October 1998); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the National Assembly; election last held 3 February 1997 (next to be held NA February 2002) election results: Sardar Farooq LEGHARI elected president; percent of Parliament vote - NA; Mohammad Nawaz SHARIF elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - NA

FAX

[1] (202) 387-0484 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

FAX

[92] (51) 214222 consulate(s) general : Karachi, Lahore consulate(s): Peshawar

Flag description

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 Islam

Government type

federal republic

Independence

14 August 1947 (from UK)

International 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, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIH, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, judicial chiefs are appointed by the president; Federal Islamic (Shari'at) Court

Legal system

based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's stature as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (87 seats; members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies to serve six-year terms; one-third of the members up for election every two years; has advisory powers only) and the National Assembly (217 seats; 207 represent Muslims and 10 represent non-Muslims; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 12 March 1997 (next to be held NA March 1999); National Assembly - last held 3 February 1997 (next to be held NA February 2002) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PML/N 30, PPP 17, ANP 7, MQM/A 6, JWP 5, BNP 4, JUI/F 2, PML/J 2, BNM/M 1, PKMAP 1, TJP 1, independents 6, vacant 5; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PML/N 137, PPP 18, MQM/A 12, ANP 10, BNP 3, JWP 2, JUI/F 2, PPP/SB 1, NPP 1, independents 21, minorities 10

National capital

Islamabad

National holiday

Pakistan Day, 23 March (1956) (proclamation of the republic)

Political parties and leaders

government: Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction (PML/N), Nawaz SHARIF; Awami National Party (ANP), Ajmal Khan KHATTAK; 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 BUGTI; Pakistan People's Party/Shaheed Bhutto (PPP/SB), Ghinva BHUTTO; Baluch National Party (BNP), leader NA opposition: 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; Pakhtun Quami Party (PKQP), Mohammed AFZAL Khan frequently shifting: Mutaheda Deeni Mahaz (MDM), Maulana Sami-ul-HAQ, the MDM includes Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Niazi faction (JUP/NI) and Sepah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP); 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 frequently

Political pressure groups and leaders

military remains important political force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also influential

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal; separate electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for non-Muslims

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$3.3 billion (FY96/97)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

5.3% (FY96/97)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 31,456,430 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males: 19,288,081 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - military age

17 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 1,431,074 (1997 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 42% (male 28,702,496; female 27,048,787) 15-64 years: 54% (male 36,387,329; female 34,708,803) 65 years and over : 4% (male 2,667,936; female 2,669,948) (July 1997 est.)

Birth rate

35.26 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate

10.95 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Ethnic groups

Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from India and their descendants)

Infant mortality rate

95.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

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%

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 58.77 years male: 57.97 years female : 59.61 years (1997 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 37.8% male: 50% female: 24.4% (1995 est.)

Nationality

noun : Pakistani(s) adjective: Pakistani

Net migration rate

-2.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Population

132,185,299 (July 1997 est.) note: no national census has been conducted since 1981

Population growth rate

2.22% (1997 est.)

Religions

Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.08 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Disputes - international

status of Kashmir with India; water-sharing problems with upstream riparian India over the Indus (Wular Barrage)

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of opium and hashish for the international drug trade (produced 75 metric tons in 1996, down from 155 metric tons in 1995); major center for processing Afghan heroin and key transit area for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western markets PALAU

Airports

102 (1996 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 86 over 3,047 m : 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 18 (1996 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total : 16 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 8 (1996 est.)

Heliports

6 (1996 est.)

Highways

total : 216,564 km paved: 116,945 km unpaved: 99,619 km (1995 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 425,140 GRT/699,040 DWT ships by type : bulk 5, cargo 17, container 3, oil tanker 1 (1996 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 885 km; natural gas 4,044 km (1987)

Ports and harbors

Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim

Railways

total: 8,163 km broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified; 1,037 km double track) narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (1996 est.)