1998 Edition

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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: 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 and China in the north

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 42% (male 29,083,284; female 27,425,172) 15-64 years: 54% (male 37,432,059; female 35,731,170) 65 years and over: 4% (male 2,716,739; female 2,746,771) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate

34.38 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate

10.69 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Ethnic groups

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

Infant mortality rate

93.48 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 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: 59.07 years male: 58.23 years female: 59.96 years (1998 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

-1.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population

135,135,195 (July 1998 est.) note: population figures based on 1981 national census results-1998 census results are pending

Population growth rate

2.2% (1998 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: 0.99 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.91 children born/woman (1998 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

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

Executive branch

chief of state: President Mohammad Rafiq TARAR (since 31 December 1997) 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 31 December 1997 (next to be held no later than 1 January 2002); 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: Mohammad Rafiq TARAR elected president; percent of Parliament and provincial 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 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

[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, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Riaz KHOKAR chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6200

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, judicial chiefs are appointed by the president; Federal Islamic (Shari'at) Court Political parties and leaders: government: Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction (PML/N), Nawaz SHARIF; Balochistan National Movement/Mengal Group (BNM/M), Sardar Akhtar MENGAL; Mutahida Qaumi 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; Awami National Party (ANP), Wali KHAN frequently shifting: Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Niazi faction (JUP/NI); 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; subsequent to the election Jamiat Ulema-i-Islami, Fazlur Rehman group (JUI/F) was disbanded Political pressure groups and leaders: military remains important political force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also influential

Legal system

based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's status 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) 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)

Suffrage

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

Agriculture-products

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

Budget

revenues: $9.6 billion expenditures: $13.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97)

Currency

1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisa

Debt-external

$33 billion (1997 est.)

Economic aid

recipient: $2.2 billion from all bilateral and multilateral sources (FY96/97)

Economy-overview

Pakistan continues to suffer through a damaging foreign exchange crisis. The crisis stems from years of loose fiscal policies that exacerbated inflation and allowed the public debt, money supply, and current account deficit to explode. In April 1997, Prime Minister SHARIF introduced a stimulus package of tax cuts intended to boost failing industrial output and spur export growth. At that time, the IMF endorsed the program, paving the way for a $1.5 billion Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility. Although the economy showed signs of improvement following the measures, SHARIF has refused to implement the tough structural reforms necessary for sustained, longer-term growth. As a consequence, at yearend 1997, industrial production continued to flag, foreign exchange reserves continued to teeter around $1 billion-only four weeks of imports-and borrowing to support the budget deficit already exceeded the amount allocated for the entire fiscal year. At the same time, the government must cope with long-standing economic vulnerabilities-inadequate infrastructure, low levels of literacy, and increasing sectarian, ethnic, and tribal violence.

Electricity-capacity

13.169 million kW (1995)

Electricity-consumption per capita

436 kWh (1997)

Electricity-production

58.1 billion kWh (1997)

Exchange rates

Pakistani rupees (PRs) per US$1-44.050 (January 1998), 41.112 (1997), 36.079 (1996), 31.643 (1995), 30.567 (1994), 28.1 (1993); note-annual average of official rate; parallel market rate is higher

Exports

total value: $8.2 billion (FY96/97) commodities: cotton, textiles, clothing, rice, leather, carpets partners: EU, US, Hong Kong, Japan

Fiscal year

1 July-30 June Communications

GDP

purchasing power parity-$344 billion (1997 est.)

GDP-composition by sector

agriculture: 24.2% industry: 26.4% services: 49.4% (1997)

GDP-per capita

purchasing power parity-$2,600 (1997 est.)

GDP-real growth rate

3.1% (1997 est.)

Imports

total value: $11.4 billion (FY96/97) commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, transportation equipment, vegetable oils, animal fats, chemicals partners: EU, Japan, US, China

Industrial production growth rate

3.3% (FY96/97 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate-consumer price index

11.8% (FY96/97)

Labor force

total: 37.8 million (1998) 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

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

2.552 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations

29

Televisions

2.08 million (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Airports

115 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways: total: 80 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 31 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 35 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 18 (1997 est.)

Heliports

6 (1997 est.)

Highways

total: 224,774 km paved: 128,121 km unpaved: 96,653 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 416,875 GRT/684,580 DWT ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 15, container 3, oil tanker 1 (1997 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.)

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: 32,450,056 (1998 est.) Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 19,888,353 (1998 est.)

Military manpower-military age

17 years of age

Military manpower-reaching military age annually

males: 1,472,272 (1998 est.)

Disputes-international

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

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of opium and hashish for the international drug trade (cultivation in 1997-4,100 hectares, a 21% increase over 1996; potential production-85 metric tons, a 13% increase over 1996); center for processing Afghan heroin and key transit area for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western markets