Pakistan

Islamic Republic of Pakistan

republicIndependence 14 August 1947 (from UK)

Pakistan as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 90 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.

CapitalIslamabad

Position30 00 N, 70 00 E

Area803,940 sq km

LocationSouthern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India

Populationas each edition published it

129.28 million July 1996 est. · 114.65m in 1990

Population growth% a year

2.24% 1996 est. · 2.87% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 19.8 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

58.46 years 1996 est. · 57.11 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

5.25 children per woman 1996 est. · 6.7 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

96.8 deaths per 1,000 live births 1996 est. · 110 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$2,100 1995 est. · $410 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

4.7% 1995 est. · 6.4% in 1993

Geography

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

15 fields

Land useshare of 803,940 sq km

arable land 23%permanent crops 0%meadows and pastures 6%forest and woodland 4%other 67% (1993)irrigated 170,000 sq km (1992)

Area

803,940sq km

land area: 778,720 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than twice the size of California

Coastline

1,046km

contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Land boundaries

6,774km

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

Location

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

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

Climate

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

Terrain

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

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

Natural resources

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

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
natural 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 Conservation

Geographic note

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

People

15 fields

Population

129,275,660

(July 1996 est.)growth rate: 2.24% (1996 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1996 est.)

Birth

36.16Death

11.22Net migration

-2.6

Male · female(1996 est.)

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years58.46

57.7 · 59.25

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy37.8%

50% · 24.4%

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

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:: 1.01 male(s)/female
all ages:: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate

96.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Pakistani(s)
adjective:: Pakistani

Ethnic 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%

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%

Government

Republic; President Sardar Farooq LEGHARI (since 13 November 1993) was elected for a five-year term by Parliament; Prime Minister Benazir BHUTTO (since 19 October 1993) was elected by the National Assembly

23 fields

Legislature, 87 seatsone dot, one seat

PPP 22PML/N 17Tribal Area Representatives (nonparty) 8ANP 6PML/J 5JWP 5MQM/A 5JUI/F 2PKMAP 2JI 2NPP 2BNM/H 1BNM/M 1JUP/NI 1JUP/NO 1JAH 1JUI/S 1PML/F 1PNP 1independents 2vacant 1

Name of country

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

Data code

Type of government

republic

Capital

Islamabad

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

Independence

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 1985

Legal system

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

Suffrage

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

Executive 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 assemblies
head of government:: Prime Minister Benazir BHUTTO (since 19 October 1993) was elected by the National Assembly
cabinet:: Cabinet was elected by the National Assembly

Legislative 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 1

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

Judicial branch

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

Political 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 Khan
opposition:: 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 BUGTI
frequently 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 frequently

Other political or pressure groups

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

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

Diplomatic representation in US

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

FAX

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

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

FAX

[92] (51) 214222

consulate(s) general:: Karachi, Lahore
consulate(s):: Peshawar

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

Economy

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.

21 fields

GDP per capita, PPP

$2,100

(1995 est.)

Real growth rate

4.7%

(1995 est.)industrial production growth: 5% (1995 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

13%

(1995 est.)

Labor force

36million

by occupation: agriculture 46%, mining and manufacturing 18%, services 17%, other 19%note: extensive export of labor

GDP composition by sector(1995 est.)

agriculture 24%industry 27%services 49% (1995 est.)

Budget

Revenues

$11.9 billionExpenditures

$12.4 billion

expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95)

Installed generating capacity, 12,530,000 kW(1995)

Electricity production

43.3 billion (1995)Electricity consumption per capita

389 (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.

GDP

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

Unemployment rate

NA%

Industries

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

Agriculture

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

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

Exports

$8.7 billion (1995 est.)

commodities:: cotton, textiles, clothing, rice, leather, carpets
partners:: US, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, UK, UAE, France

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

External 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 paisa

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)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

Transportation

7 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 100 in all

over 3 047 m

2 438 to 3 047 m

1 524 to 2 437 m

914 to 1 523 m

under 914 m

PavedUnpaved

Networkskm

Highways

205,304Railways

8,163

Highways: paved: 104,735 km · unpaved: 100,569 km (1995 est.) · 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.)

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

Highways

total:: 205,304 km
paved:: 104,735 km
unpaved:: 100,569 km (1995 est.)

total:: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 345,606 GRT/560,641 DWT
ships by type:: bulk 3, cargo 19, oil tanker 1, passenger-cargo 1 (1995 est.)

Heliports

6 (1995 est.)

Communications

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

9 fields

Fixed lines

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 population

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

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.)

Defense expenditures

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

Central Intelligence Agency. “Pakistan.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/pakistan/1996.

How to cite ← 1995 edition 1997 edition →