1996 Edition

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

Location

30 00 N, 70 00 E -- Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India and Iran Flag ----

Area

comparative area

slightly less than twice the size of California

land area

778,720 sq km

total area

803,940 sq km

Climate

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

Coastline

1,046 km

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

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

natural hazards

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

Geographic coordinates

30 00 N, 70 00 E

Geographic note

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

International disputes

status of Kashmir with India; border dispute with Afghanistan (Durand Line); water-sharing problems over the Indus (Wular Barrage) with upstream riparian India

Irrigated land

170,000 sq km (1992)

Land boundaries

border countries

Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km

total

6,774 km

Land use

arable land

23%

forest and woodland

4%

meadows and pastures

6%

other

67% (1993)

permanent crops

0%

Location

Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India and Iran

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 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

highest point

K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

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.)

Birth rate

36.16 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate

11.22 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic divisions

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

Infant mortality rate

96.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 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

female

59.25 years (1996 est.)

male

57.7 years

total population

58.46 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)

female

24.4%

male

50%

total population

37.8%

Nationality

adjective

Pakistani

noun

Pakistani(s)

Net migration rate

-2.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population

129,275,660 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate

2.24% (1996 est.)

Religions

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

Sex ratio

all ages

1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

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: 1.01 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

5.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)

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

Capital

Islamabad

Constitution

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

Data code

PK

Diplomatic representation in US

chancery

2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Maleeha LODHI

telephone

[1] (202) 939-6200

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet was elected by the National Assembly

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 assemblies

head of government

Prime Minister Benazir BHUTTO (since 19 October 1993) was elected by the National Assembly

FAX

[1] (202) 387-0484

[92] (51) 214222

consulate(s)

Peshawar

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles and New York

consulate(s) general

Karachi, Lahore

Flag

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

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, 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, 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 (Majlis-e-Shoora)

Name of country

conventional long form

Islamic Republic of Pakistan

conventional short form

Pakistan

former

West Pakistan

National 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 2

National holiday

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

Other political or pressure groups

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

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 1

Suffrage

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

Type of government

republic

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission

Ambassador Thomas SIMONS, Jr.

embassy

Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad

mailing address

P. O. Box 1048, Unit 6220, APO AE 09812-2200

telephone

[92] (51) 826161 through 826179

Agriculture

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

Budget

expenditures

$12.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95)

revenues

$11.9 billion

Currency

1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisa

Economic aid

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)

recipient

ODA, $697 million (1993)

Economic 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.

Electricity

capacity

12,530,000 kW (1995)

consumption per capita

389 kWh (1993)

production

43.3 billion kWh (1995)

Exchange 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)

Exports

$8.7 billion (1995 est.)

commodities

cotton, textiles, clothing, rice, leather, carpets

partners

US, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, UK, UAE, France

External debt

$26 billion (1995 est.)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP

purchasing power parity - $274.2 billion (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector

agriculture

24%

industry

27%

services

49% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita

$2,100 (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate

4.7% (1995 est.)

Illicit 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 market

Imports

$10.7 billion (1995 est.)

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

5% (1995 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

13% (1995 est.)

Labor force

36 million

by occupation

agriculture 46%, mining and manufacturing 18%, services 17%, other 19%

note

extensive export of labor

Unemployment rate

NA%

Branches

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

Defense expenditures

exchange rate conversion - $3.1 billion, 5.3% of GDP (FY95/96)

Manpower availability

males age 15-49

30,519,339

males fit for military service

18,720,175

males reach military age (17) annually

1,437,208 (1996 est.)

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.) Defense

Airports

total

100

with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m

25

with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m

19

with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m

11

with paved runways over 3 047 m

12

with paved runways under 914 m

18

with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m

7

with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m

8 (1995 est.)

Heliports

6 (1995 est.)

Highways

paved

104,735 km

total

205,304 km

unpaved

100,569 km (1995 est.)

Merchant marine

ships by type

bulk 3, cargo 19, oil tanker 1, passenger-cargo 1 (1995 est.)

total

24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 345,606 GRT/560,641 DWT

Pipelines

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

Ports

Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim

Railways

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; 661 km less than 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.)

total

8,163 km