Pakistan
Islamic Republic of PakistanJamhuryat Islami Pakistan
federal parliamentary republicIndependence 14 August 1947 (from British India)
Pakistan as the 2025 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 158 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of modern-day Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century.
The partition in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India created lasting tension between the two countries. They have fought two wars and a limited conflict -- in 1947-48, 1965, and 1999 respectively -- over the Kashmir territory, a dispute that continues to this day. A third war in 1971 -- in which India assisted an indigenous movement reacting to Bengali marginalization in Pakistani politics -- resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh.
In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. Pakistan has been engaged in a decades-long armed conflict with militant groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant networks that target government institutions and civilians.
Geography
Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
20 fieldsLand useshare of 796,095 sq km
Location
Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
Terrain
divided into three major geographic areas: the northern highlands, the Indus River plain in the center and east, and the Balochistan Plateau in the south and west
Natural resources
arable land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
Major rivers (by length in km)
- Indus river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,610 km;
- Sutlej river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 1,372 km;
- Chenab river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 1,086 km
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
- Indian Ocean drainage:
- Indus (1,081,718 sq km)
- Internal (endorheic basin) drainage:
- Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km)
Population distribution
the Indus River and its tributaries attract most of the settlement, with Punjab province the most densely populated
Natural hazards
frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)
Geography - note
controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and India
People and Society
36 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2024 est.)
Per 1,000 population(2025 est.)
Male · female
Languages
Punjabi 38.8%, Pashto (alternate name, Pashtu) 18.2%, Sindhi 14.6%, Saraiki (a Punjabi variant) 12.2%, Urdu 7.1%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2.4%, Brahui 1.2%, other 2.4%; major-language sample(s): دنیا کا قاموس، ایک لازمی زریہ بنیادی معلومات کا (Urdu); The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.; note: data represent population by mother tongue; English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries)
Religions
Muslim 96.4%, Hindu 1.6%, Christian 1.4%; less than 1%: scheduled castes, Qadiani/Ahmadi, other, Sikh. (2020 est.)
Population distribution
the Indus River and its tributaries attract most of the settlement, with Punjab province the most densely populated
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- 0-14 years:
- 1.04 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.87 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 1.04 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
- total:
- 50.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
- male:
- 56 deaths/1,000 live births
- female:
- 46.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Alcohol consumption per capita
- total:
- 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- beer:
- 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- wine:
- 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- spirits:
- 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- other alcohols:
- 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Child marriage
- women married by age 15:
- 3.6% (2018)
- women married by age 18:
- 18.3% (2018)
- men married by age 18:
- 4.7% (2018)
Environment
11 fieldsLand use(2023 est.)
Environmental issues
- water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff;
- limited natural freshwater resources;
- most of the population does not have access to potable water;
- deforestation;
- soil erosion;
- desertification;
- air pollution and noise pollution in urban areas
International environmental agreements
- party to:
- Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
- signed, but not ratified:
- Marine Life Conservation
Urbanization
- urban population:
- 38% of total population (2023)
- rate of urbanization:
- 2.1% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
212.655 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- from coal and metallurgical coke:
- 59.937 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- from petroleum and other liquids:
- 93.713 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- from consumed natural gas:
- 59.006 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Methane emissions
- energy:
- 1,625.2 kt (2022-2024 est.)
- agriculture:
- 5,381.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
- waste:
- 700.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
- other:
- 128.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually:
- 30.76 million tons (2024 est.)
- percent of municipal solid waste recycled:
- 13.8% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal
- municipal:
- 9.65 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- industrial:
- 1.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- agricultural:
- 172.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Government
Federal parliamentary republic; President Asif Ali ZARDARI (since 10 March 2024); Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz SHARIF (since 3 March 2024)
25 fieldsCountry name
- conventional long form:
- Islamic Republic of Pakistan
- conventional short form:
- Pakistan
- local long form:
- Jamhuryat Islami Pakistan
- local short form:
- Pakistan
- former:
- West Pakistan
- etymology:
- the name is said to have been proposed in the early 1930s by Muslim students at Cambridge University, created from the initials of Punjab, Afghanistan, and Kashmir;
- the word pak also means "pure" in Persian or Pashto, and the Persian suffix - stan means "place of" or "country," so Pakistan literally means "Land of the Pure"
Capital
- name:
- Islamabad
- geographic coordinates:
- 33 41 N, 73 03 E
- time difference:
- UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- etymology:
- the name means "city of Islam" and derives from the Arabic islam , referring to the Islamic faith, and the Persian suffix -abad , meaning "inhabited place" or "city"
Administrative divisions
- 4 provinces, 2 Pakistan-administered areas*, and 1 capital territory**;
- Azad Kashmir*, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh
Constitution
- history:
- several previous; latest endorsed 12 April 1973, passed 19 April 1973, entered into force 14 August 1973 (suspended and restored several times)
- amendment process:
- proposed by the Senate or by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
- citizenship by birth:
- yes
- citizenship by descent only:
- at least one parent must be a citizen of Pakistan
- dual citizenship recognized:
- yes, but limited to select countries
- residency requirement for naturalization:
- 4 out of the previous 7 years and including the 12 months preceding application
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal note: women and non-Muslims have joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Asif Ali ZARDARI (since 10 March 2024)
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz SHARIF (since 3 March 2024)
- cabinet:
- Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
- election/appointment process:
- president indirectly elected for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms) by the Electoral College, which consists of members of the Senate, National Assembly, and provincial assemblies;
- prime minister elected for a 5-year term by the National Assembly
- most recent election date:
- 9 March 2024
- election results:
- 2024: Asif Ali ZARDARI elected president;
- National Assembly vote - Asif Ali ZARDARI (PPP) 411 votes, Mehmood Khan ACHAKZALI (PMAP) 181 votes;
- Shehbaz SHARIF elected prime minister;
- National Assembly vote - Shehbaz SHARIF (PML-N) 201, Omar AYUB (PTI) 92
- expected date of next election:
- 2029
Legislative branch - lower chamber
- chamber name:
- National Assembly
- number of seats:
- 336 (all directly elected)
- electoral system:
- plurality/majority
- scope of elections:
- full renewal
- term in office:
- 5 years
- most recent election date:
- 2/8/2024
- parties elected and seats per party:
- Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) (75);
- Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) (54);
- Muttahida Quami Movement Pakistan (MQMP) (17);
- Independents (101);
- Other (16)
- percentage of women in chamber:
- 17%
- expected date of next election:
- February 2029
Legislative branch - upper chamber
- chamber name:
- Senate
- number of seats:
- 96 (all indirectly elected)
- scope of elections:
- partial renewal
- term in office:
- 6 years
- most recent election date:
- 4/2/2024
- percentage of women in chamber:
- 18.8%
- expected date of next election:
- March 2027
Judicial branch
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court of Pakistan (consists of the chief justice and 16 judges)
- judge selection and term of office:
- justices nominated by an 8-member parliamentary committee on the recommendation of the Judicial Commission, a 9-member body of judges and other judicial professionals, and appointed by the president; justices can serve until age 65
- subordinate courts:
- High Courts;
- Federal Shariat Court;
- provincial and district civil and criminal courts;
- specialized courts for issues, such as taxation, banking, and customs
Political parties
- Awami National Party or ANP
- Awami Muslim League or AML
- Balochistan Awami Party or BAP
- Balochistan National Party-Awami or BNP-A
- Balochistan National Party-Mengal or BNP-M
- Grand Democratic Alliance or GDA (alliance of several parties)
- Hazara Democratic Party or HDP
- Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party
- Jamaat-e-Islami or JI
- Jamhoori Wattan Party or JWP
- Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl or JUI-F
- Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Pakistan or MWM
- Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal or MMA (alliance of several parties)
- Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan or MQM-P
- National Party or NP
- Pakistan Muslim League or PML-Z
- Pakistan Muslim League-Functional or PML-F
- Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or PML-N
- Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam or PML-Q
- Pakistan Peoples Party or PPP
- Pakistan Rah-e-Haq Party or PRHP
- Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaaf or PTI (Pakistan Movement for Justice)
- Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party or PMAP or PKMAP
- Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan or TLP
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Rizwan Saeed SHEIKH (since 18 September 2024)
- chancery:
- 3517 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 243-6500
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 686-1534
- email address and website:
- [email protected]; https://embassyofpakistanusa.org/
- consulate(s) general:
- Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. BAKER (since January 2025)
- embassy:
- Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad
- mailing address:
- 8100 Islamabad Place, Washington, DC 20521-8100
- telephone:
- [92] 051-201-4000
- FAX:
- [92] 51-2338071
- email address and website:
- [email protected]; https://pk.usembassy.gov/
- consulate(s) general:
- Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar
International organization participation
ADB, AIIB, ARF, ASEAN (sectoral dialogue partner), C, CERN (associate member), CICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-11, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSCA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNSOS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
National holiday
Pakistan Day, 23 March, also referred to as Pakistan Resolution Day (1940) or Republic Day (1956)
note: commemorates the adoption of the Lahore Resolution on 23 March 1940, which called for the creation of independent Muslim states, and also the adoption of Pakistan's first constitution on 23 March 1956,
during the transition to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Flag
- description:
- green with a vertical white band on the left side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field
- meaning:
- the crescent, star, and color green are all traditional Islamic symbols; the white band symbolizes the role of religious minorities
National anthem(s)
- title:
- "Qaumi Tarana" (National Anthem)
- lyrics/music:
- Abu-Al-Asar Hafeez JULLANDHURI/Ahmed Ghulamali CHAGLA
- history:
- adopted 1954; also known as "Pak sarzamin shad bad" (Blessed Be the Sacred Land)
National heritage
- total World Heritage Sites:
- 6 (all cultural)
- selected World Heritage Site locales:
- Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro;
- Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi;
- Taxila;
- Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore;
- Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta;
- Rohtas Fort
Economy
31 fieldsTrading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP · (2024 est.)
Budget(2015 est.)
Economic overview
- lower middle-income South Asian economy;
- extremely high debt;
- endemic corruption;
- regional disputes with India and Afghanistan hinder investment;
- falling inflation, IMF relief programs, and strong agricultural output slowly contributing to economic recovery
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture:
- 23.5% (2024 est.)
- industry:
- 20% (2024 est.)
- services:
- 50.5% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Agricultural products
sugarcane, bison milk, wheat, milk, rice, maize, potatoes, cotton, mangoes/guavas, chicken (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp
Labor force
83.644 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate
5.5% (2024 est.) · 5.5% (2023 est.) · 5.5% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total:
- 9.9% (2024 est.)
- male:
- 9.8% (2024 est.)
- female:
- 10.1% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Population below poverty line
21.9% (2018 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
29.6 (2018 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Average household expenditures
- on food:
- 37.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
- on alcohol and tobacco:
- 1.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Remittances
9.4% of GDP (2024 est.) · 7.9% of GDP (2023 est.) · 8% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Current account balance
$699.22 million (2024 est.) · -$1.039 billion (2023 est.) · -$12.216 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports
$40.219 billion (2024 est.) · $36.215 billion (2023 est.) · $38.967 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - commodities
garments, fabric, refined petroleum, rice, cotton fabric (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$66.844 billion (2024 est.) · $58.069 billion (2023 est.) · $76.594 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - commodities
natural gas, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, palm oil, plastics (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$18.408 billion (2024 est.) · $13.73 billion (2023 est.) · $9.927 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Debt - external
$89.148 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
Exchange rates
Pakistani rupees (PKR) per US dollar - 278.581 (2024 est.) · 280.356 (2023 est.) · 204.867 (2022 est.) · 162.906 (2021 est.) · 161.838 (2020 est.)
Energy
8 fieldsElectrification% of population · (2022 est.)
Installed generating capacity, 43.512 million kW(2023 est.)
Nuclear energy
- Number of operational nuclear reactors:
- 6 (2025)
- Number of nuclear reactors under construction:
- 1 (2025)
- Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors:
- 3.26GW (2025 est.)
- Percent of total electricity production:
- 17.4% (2023 est.)
- Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down:
- 1 (2025)
Coal
- production:
- 13.765 million metric tons (2023 est.)
- consumption:
- 30.191 million metric tons (2023 est.)
- exports:
- 900 metric tons (2023 est.)
- imports:
- 16.185 million metric tons (2023 est.)
- proven reserves:
- 2.857 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
- total petroleum production:
- 91,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
- refined petroleum consumption:
- 645,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
- crude oil estimated reserves:
- 540 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
- production:
- 27.476 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
- consumption:
- 36.323 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
- imports:
- 8.847 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
- proven reserves:
- 592.219 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Communications
6 fieldsPer 100 inhabitants(2023–24 est.)
Broadcast media
- 120 satellite TV stations;
- 42 media companies/channels;
- state-run Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) is the largest TV network, serves over 85 percent of the population with 9 TV channels;
- over 100 private cable and satellite channels;
- state-owned Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC or Radio Pakistan) has the largest radio audience, particularly in rural areas, with AM/SW/FM stations covering most of the country (2022)
Transportation
6 fieldsMerchant marine, 60 ships by typeone square, one ship · (2023)
Military and Security
7 fieldsPersonnel strengthsone square, 1,000 people · (2025)
Military and security forces
- Pakistan Armed Forces:
- Pakistan Army (includes National Guard), Pakistan Navy (includes Pakistan Marines, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency), Pakistan Air Force
- Ministry of Interior:
- Frontier Constabulary, Frontier Corps, National Police, Pakistan Coast Guard, Punjab (Pakistan) Rangers, Sindh (Pakistan) Rangers (2025)
note: the National Guard is a paramilitary force and one of the Army's reserve forces; other Army reserves include the Pakistan Army Reserve, the Frontier Corps, and the Pakistan Rangers
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the military's inventory is a mix of mostly imported and some domestically produced armaments;
- the majority of its imported weapons are from China;
- other suppliers include France, Russia, Türkiye, Ukraine, the UK, and the US;
- Pakistan also has a domestic defense industry, which produces or co-produces such items as armored vehicles, aircraft, missiles, naval vessels (2025)
Military service age and obligation
- 16-28 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women;
- lower and upper age limits vary by military branch, position, and role;
- personnel cannot be deployed for combat until age 18 (2025)
Military deployments
- 1,400 Central African Republic (MINUSCA);
- 300 MONUSCO;
- 300 South Sudan (UNMISS);
- 575 Sudan (UNISFA) (2025)
Military - note
the Pakistan military is responsible for external defense but also has a domestic security role; its chief external focus is India; the military is the lead security agency in many areas of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and has for decades conducted operations against various internal militant groups; it is also one of the longest serving and largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions; China is its closest security partner
the military operates largely independently and without effective civilian oversight; it has ruled the country for more than 30 years since independence in 1947 and continues to play a significant role in Pakistan's political arena; it also has a large stake in the country’s economic sector and is involved in a diverse array of commercial activities, including banking, construction of public projects, employment services, energy and power generation, fertilizer, food, housing, real estate, and security services
Pakistan has fought four wars and several skirmishes with India; three of the wars have been over the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, the status of which has been unsettled since the UK's 1947 withdrawal and the partition and independence of India and Pakistan; a fragile cease-fire was reached in 2003, revised in 2018, and reaffirmed in 2021, although the militarized Line of Control which serves as the border remains contested, and India has accused Pakistan of backing armed separatists and terrorist organizations in the territory New Delhi controls;
in the Spring of 2025, Indian held Pakistan responsible for a terrorist attack in India-controlled Kashmir and retaliated, sparking a brief cross-border conflict involving aircraft, artillery, drone, and missile strikes
the Kashmir dispute also includes the Siachen Glacier, located in the Karakoram Mountain Range, which was seized by India in 1984 with Pakistan attempting to retake the area several times between 1985 and 1995; despite the 2003 cease-fire, both sides continue to maintain a permanent military presence there with outposts at altitudes above 20,000 feet (over 6,000 meters) where most casualties are due to extreme weather and the hazards of operating in the high mountain terrain of the world’s highest conflict, including avalanches, exposure, and altitude sickness (2025)
Space
4 fieldsSpace agency/agencies
Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO; established 1961) (2025)
Space launch site(s)
none; missile test sites at Somiani (Balochistan) and Tilla Jogian (Punjab) (2025)
Space program overview
- space program dates back to the early 1960s, but funding shortfalls and shifts in priority toward ballistic missile development in the 1980s and 1990s hampered the program’s development;
- now has a strengthened focus on acquiring satellites and reaching agreements with other space powers for additional capabilities;
- manufactures and operates satellites;
- researching and developing other space-related capabilities and technologies, such as satellite payloads;
- also conducts research in areas such as astronomy, astrophysics, environmental monitoring, and space sciences;
- works with China, Russia, and Turkey (cooperated with the UK and US prior to the 1990s) (2025)
Key space-program milestones
- 1962-1972 - launched about 200 sounding rockets with some US assistance
- 1990 - first domestically built experimental satellite (Badr-1) launched by China
- 2001 - first remote sensing (RS) satellite (Badr-2) built jointly with the UK and launched by Russia
- 2011 - first digital communications satellite (PakSat-1R) launched by China
- 2017 - successfully test-launched ballistic missile system (Shaheed-III)
- 2023 - joined China’s International Lunar Research Station program
- 2024 - first lunar orbiter/satellite (iCube Qamar) launched by China and deployed from China's Chang'e-6 spacecraft
- 2025 - first fully domestic RS satellite (PRSC-EO1) launched by China; selected country's first astronauts to be trained by China for mission to China's space station
Terrorism
1 fieldTerrorist group(s)
- al-Qa’ida;
- al-Qa’ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS);
- Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA);
- Haqqani Network (HQN);
- Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami (HUJI);
- Harakat ul-Mujahidin;
- Hizbul Mujahideen;
- Indian Mujahedeen;
- Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan (ISIS-K);
- Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – India (ISI);
- Islamic State of ash-Sham – Pakistan (ISP);
- Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU);
- Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM);
- Jaysh al Adl (Jundallah);
- Lashkar i Jhangvi (LJ);
- Lashkar-e Tayyiba (LeT);
- The Resistance Front (TRF);
- Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
note 1: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
note 2: the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), an armed separatist group that targets security forces and civilians, has been active in Pakistan since the 2000s, mainly in ethnic Baloch areas of the country;
in 2019, the US designated BLA as Specially Designated Global Terrorists
Transnational Issues
2 fieldsRefugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees:
- 1,759,332 (2024 est.)
- IDPs:
- 224,813 (2024 est.)
- stateless persons:
- 60 (2024 est.)
Illicit drugs
USG identification: major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country; major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Pakistan.” The World Factbook 2025. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/pakistan.