1.
[syn: Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, West Pakistan]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Pakistan \Pakistan\ prop. n.
A country in South Asia formerly part of British India.
Syn: West Pakistan.
[WordNet 1.5]
Note: Data on Pakistan from the CIA WOrld Factbook, 1996
Geography: Location: Southern Asia, bordering the
Arabian Sea, between India and Iran Geographic
coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 E Map references: Asia
Area: total area: 803,940 sq km land area: 778,720 sq
km comparative area: slightly less than twice the size
of California Land boundaries: total: 6,774 km border
countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India
2,912 km, Iran 909 km Coastline: 1,046 km 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
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 Land
use: arable land: 23% permanent crops: 0% meadows and
pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 4% other: 67% (1993)
Irrigated land: 170,000 sq km (1992) 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: Population:
129,275,660 (July 1996 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.) Population growth rate: 2.24% (1996 est.) Birth
rate: 36.16 births/1,000 population (1996 est.) Death
rate: 11.22 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.) Net
migration rate: -2.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.46
years male: 57.7 years female: 59.25 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.25 children born/woman (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% 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% Literacy: age 15 and over can
read and write (1995 est.) total population: 37.8%
male: 50% female: 24.4% Government: Name of country:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
conventional short form: Pakistan former: West Pakistan
Data code: PK 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
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.) GDP real growth
rate: 4.7% (1995 est.) GDP per capita: $2,100 (1995
est.) GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 24%
industry: 27% services: 49% (1995 est.) 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%
Budget: revenues: $11.9 billion expenditures: $12.4
billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95) Industries: textiles, food processing,
beverages, construction materials, clothing, paper
products, shrimp Industrial production growth rate: 5%
(1995 est.) Electricity: capacity: 12,530,000 kW (1995)
production: 43.3 billion kWh (1995) consumption per
capita: 389 kWh (1993) 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: 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.) Pipelines: crude oil
250 km; petroleum products 885 km; natural gas 4,044 km
(1987) Ports: Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim Merchant
marine: 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.)
Airports: total: 100 with paved runways over 3,047 m:
12 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 with paved
runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 with paved runways 914 to
1,523 m: 11 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.) Communications: Telephones: 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 Radio broadcast
stations: AM 26, FM 8, shortwave 11 Radios: 11.3
million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 29
Televisions: 2.08 million (1993 est.) Defense:
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces,
National Guard 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.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion -
$3.1 billion, 5.3% of GDP (FY95/96)
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
Pakistan
n 1: a Muslim republic that occupies the heartland of ancient
south Asian civilization in the Indus River valley;
formerly part of India; achieved independence from the
United Kingdom in 1947 [syn: Pakistan, Islamic Republic
of Pakistan, West Pakistan]
CIA World Factbook 2002:
Pakistan
Introduction Pakistan
---------------------
Background: The separation in 1947 of British
India into the Muslim state of
Pakistan (with two sections West and
East) and largely Hindu India was
never satisfactorily resolved. A
third war between these countries in
1971 resulted in East Pakistan
seceding and becoming the separate
nation of Bangladesh. A dispute over
the state of Kashmir is ongoing. In
response to Indian nuclear weapons
testing, Pakistan conducted its own
tests in 1998.
Geography Pakistan
------------------
Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian
Sea, between India on the east and
Iran and Afghanistan on the west and
China in the north
Geographic coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 E
Map references: Asia
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
Land boundaries: total: 6,774 km
border countries: Afghanistan 2,430
km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km,
Iran 909 km
Coastline: 1,046 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200 NM or to the
edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
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
Elevation extremes: 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
Land use: arable land: 27.81%
permanent crops: 0.79%
other: 71.4% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 180,000 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally
severe especially in north and west;
flooding along the Indus after heavy
rains (July and August)
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 party to: Biodiversity, Climate
agreements: Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine
Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography - note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass,
traditional invasion routes between
Central Asia and the Indian
Subcontinent
People Pakistan
---------------
Population: 147,663,429 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.9% (male 30,321,217;
female 28,581,334)
15-64 years: 56% (male 42,254,996;
female 40,392,092)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male
2,984,391; female 3,129,399) (2002
est.)
Population growth rate: 2.06% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 30.4 births/1,000 population (2002
est.)
Death rate: 9.02 deaths/1,000 population (2002
est.)
Net migration rate: -0.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2002 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: 0.95 male(s)/
female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/
female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 78.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2002
est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.82 years
female: 62.73 years (2002 est.)
male: 60.96 years
Total fertility rate: 4.25 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/ 74,000 (1999 est.)
AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 6,500 (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Pakistani(s)
adjective: Pakistani
Ethnic groups: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan),
Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from
India at the time of partition and
their descendants)
Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%),
Christian, Hindu, and other 3%
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%
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read
and write
total population: 42.7%
male: 55.3%
female: 29% (1998)
Government Pakistan
-------------------
Country name: conventional long form: Islamic
Republic of Pakistan
conventional short form: Pakistan
former: West Pakistan
Government type: federal republic
Capital: Islamabad
Administrative divisions: 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1
capital territory**; Balochistan,
Federally Administered Tribal
Areas*, Islamabad Capital
Territory**, North-West Frontier
Province, 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: Republic Day, 23 March (1956)
Constitution: 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July
1977, restored with amendments 30
December 1985; suspended 15 October
1999
Legal system: based on English common law with
provisions to accommodate Pakistan's
status 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: note: following a military takeover
on 12 October 1999, Chief of Army
Staff and Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff Committee, General
Pervez MUSHARRAF, suspended
Pakistan's constitution and assumed
the additional title of Chief
Executive; exercising the powers of
the head of the government, he
appointed an eight-member National
Security Council to function as
Pakistan's supreme governing body;
on 12 May 2000, Pakistan's Supreme
Court unanimously validated the
October 1999 coup and granted
MUSHARRAF executive and legislative
authority for three years from the
coup date; on 20 June 2001,
MUSHARRAF named himself and was
sworn in as president, replacing
Mohammad Rafiq TARAR; in a
referendum held on 30 April 2002,
MUSHARRAF won an overwhelming
majority of votes, extending his
rule for five more years
chief of state: President Pervez
MUSHARRAF (since 20 June 2001)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the
chief executive
head of government: Chief Executive
Pervez MUSHARRAF (since 12 May 2000)
elections: prior to the military
takeover, Pakistan had an elected
president and prime minister; the
president was elected by Parliament
for a five-year term; election last
held 31 December 1997 (next election
to be held NA); following
legislative elections, the leader of
the majority party or majority
coalition was usually elected prime
minister by the National Assembly;
election last held 3 February 1997
(next to be held NA)
election results: results are for
the last elections for prime
minister and president prior to the
military takeover - Mohammad Nawaz
SHARIF elected prime minister;
percent of National Assembly vote -
NA%; Rafiq TARAR elected president;
percent of Parliament vote - NA%
Legislative branch: note - Gen. Pervez MUSHARRAF
dissolved Parliament following the
military takeover of 12 October
1999; 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 - 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 by
October 2002); National Assembly -
last held 3 February 1997 (next to
be held by October 2002)
election results: results are for
the last elections prior to the
military takeover; 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/H 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; note
- Gen. Pervez MUSHARRAF dismissed
Parliament 15 October 1999
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (justices appointed by
the president); Federal Islamic or
Shari'a Court
Political parties and leaders: note: Gen. Pervez MUSHARRAF
dissolved Parliament following the
military takeover of 12 October
1999, however, political parties
have been allowed to operate within
limits; Awami National Party or ANP
[Wali KHAN]; Balochistan National
Movement/Hayee Group or BNM/H [Dr.
HAYEE Baluch]; Baluch National Party
or BNP [Sardar Akhtar MENGAL];
Jamhoori Watan Party or JWP [Akbar
Khan BUGTI]; Jamiat-al-Hadith or JAH
[Sajid MIR]; Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam,
Fazlur Rehman faction or JUI/F
[Fazlur REHMAN]; Jamiat Ulema-i-
Pakistan, Niazi faction or JUP/NI
[Abdul Sattar Khan NIAZI]; Millat
Party [Farooq LEGHARI]; Milli
Yakjheti Council or MYC is an
umbrella organization which includes
Jamaat-i-Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain
AHMED], Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sami-
ul-Haq faction or JUI/S [Sami ul-
HAQ], Tehrik-I-Jafria Pakistan or
TJP [Allama Sajid NAQVI], and Jamiat
Ulema-i-Pakistan, Noorani faction or
JUP/NO [Shah Ahmad NOORANI];
Mutahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf
faction or MQM/A [Altaf HUSSAIN];
National People's Party or NPP
[Ghulam Mustapha JATOI]; Pakhtun
Khwa Milli Awami Party or PKMAP
[Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI]; Pakhtun
Quami Party or PQP [Mohammed AFZAL
Khan]; Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT
[Tahir ul QADRI]; Pakistan Muslim
League, Functional Group or PML/F
[Pir PAGARO]; Pakistan Muslim
League, Junejo faction or PML/J
[Hamid Nasir CHATTHA]; Pakistan
Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction
or PML/N [Nawaz SHARIF]; Pakistan
Muslim League, Quaid-l-Azam faction
[Mian AZHAR]; Pakistan National
Party or PNP [Hasil BIZENJO];
Pakistan People's Party or PPP
[Benazir BHUTTO]; Pakistan People's
Party/Shaheed Bhutto or PPP/SB
[Ghinva BHUTTO]; Pakistan Tehrik-e-
Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN]
note: political alliances in
Pakistan can shift frequently
Political pressure groups and military remains most important
leaders: political force; ulema (clergy),
landowners, industrialists, and
small merchants also influential
International organization AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), C
participation: (suspended), 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, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,
MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer),
OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNAMSIL,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP,
UNOMIG, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ashraf
Jehangir QAZI
FAX: [1] (202) 387-0484
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles,
New York, and Sunnyvale (California)
chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6205
Diplomatic representation from the chief of mission: Ambassador Wendy
US: J. CHAMBERLIN (since Aug. 2001)
embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna
5, Islamabad
mailing address: P. O. Box 1048,
Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200
telephone: [92] (51) 2080-0000
FAX: [92] (51) 2276427
consulate(s) general: Karachi
consulate(s): Lahore, 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
Economy Pakistan
----------------
Economy - overview: Pakistan, an impoverished and
underdeveloped country, suffers from
internal political disputes, lack of
foreign investment, and a costly
confrontation with neighboring
India. Pakistan's economic
prospects, marred by poor human
development indicators, low levels
of foreign investment, and reliance
on international creditors for hard
currency inflows, were nonetheless
on an upswing through most of 2001.
The MUSHARRAF government made
significant inroads in macroeconomic
reform - it completed an IMF short-
term loan program for the first time
and improved its standing with
international creditors by
increasing revenue collection and
restraining the fiscal deficit in
the 2001/02 budget. While Pakistan
has capitalized on its international
standing after the 11 September
terrorist attacks on the US by
garnering substantial assistance
from abroad - including $1.3 billion
in IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth
Facility aid and $12.5 billion in
Paris Club debt rescheduling - long-
term prospects remain uncertain. GDP
growth will continue to hinge on
crop performance; dependence on
foreign oil leaves the import bill
vulnerable to fluctuating oil
prices; and foreign and domestic
investors remain wary of committing
to projects in Pakistan. Pakistani
trade levels - already in decline
due to the global economic downturn
- worsened in the aftermath of the
September 11 attacks.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $299
billion (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3.3% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,100
(2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 26%
industry: 24%
services: 50% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 35% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by lowest 10%: 4.1%
percentage share: highest 10%: 27.7% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini 31.2 (1996-97)
index:
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (2001 est.)
Labor force: 40.4 million
note: extensive export of labor,
mostly to the Middle East, and use
of child labor (2000)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 44%, industry 17%,
services 39% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6.3% (2001 est.)
Budget: revenues: $8.9 billion
expenditures: $11.6 billion,
including capital expenditures of
$NA (FY00/01 est.)
Industries: textiles, food processing,
beverages, construction materials,
clothing, paper products, shrimp
Industrial production growth rate: 7% (2001 est.)
Electricity - production: 62.687 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 64.09%
hydro: 35.31%
other: 0% (2000)
nuclear: 0.6%
Electricity - consumption: 58.299 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane,
fruits, vegetables; milk, beef,
mutton, eggs
Exports: $8.8 billion (f.o.b., 2001)
Exports - commodities: textiles (garments, cotton cloth,
and yarn), rice, other agricultural
products
Exports - partners: US 24.8%, UK 6.5%, UAE 6.2%, Hong
Kong 5.9%, Germany 5.6%, (2000)
Imports: $9.2 billion (f.o.b., 2001)
Imports - commodities: machinery, petroleum, petroleum
products, chemicals, transportation
equipment, edible oils, grains,
pulses, flour
Imports - partners: Kuwait 11.7%, UAE 10.7%, Saudi
Arabia 10.5%, US 6%, Japan 5.6%
(2000)
Debt - external: $31.5 billion (2001 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $2 billion (FY99/00)
Currency: Pakistani rupee (PKR)
Currency code: PKR
Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees per US dollar -
60.719 (January 2002), 61.927
(2001), 53.648 (2000), 49.118
(1999), 44.943 (1998), 40.918 (1997)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Communications Pakistan
-----------------------
Telephones - main lines in use: 2.861 million (March 1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 158,000 (1998)
Telephone system: general assessment: the domestic
system is mediocre, but improving;
service is 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, significantly
increasing network capacity; despite
major improvements in trunk and
urban systems, telecommunication
services are still not readily
available to the majority of the
rural population
domestic: microwave radio relay,
coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable,
cellular, and satellite networks
international: satellite earth
stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3
operational international gateway
exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at
Islamabad); microwave radio relay to
neighboring countries (1999)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 27, FM 1, shortwave 21 (1998)
Radios: 13.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 22 (plus seven low-power repeaters)
(1997)
Televisions: 3.1 million (1997)
Internet country code: .pk
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 30 (2000)
Internet users: 1.2 million (2000)
Transportation Pakistan
-----------------------
Railways: total: 8,163 km
broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge
(293 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge
(2001)
Highways: total: 247,811 km
paved: 141,252 km (including 339 km
of expressways)
unpaved: 106,559 km (1998)
Waterways: none
Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products
885 km; natural gas 4,044 km (1987)
Ports and harbors: Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim
Merchant marine: total: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 241,832 GRT/367,093 DWT
ships by type: cargo 13, container
3, petroleum tanker 1 (2002 est.)
Airports: 120 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 85
over 3,047 m: 12
2,438 to 3,047 m: 22
914 to 1,523 m: 17
under 914 m: 3 (2001)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 31
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 35
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 18 (2001)
Heliports: 9 (2001)
Military Pakistan
-----------------
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed
Forces, National Guard
Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 36,941,592 (2002
est.)
Military manpower - fit for military males age 15-49: 22,606,576 (2002
service: est.)
Military manpower - reaching military males: 1,657,724 (2002 est.)
age annually:
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2,545.5 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of 4.6% (FY01)
GDP:
Transnational Issues Pakistan
-----------------------------
Disputes - international: armed stand-off with India over the
status and sovereignty of Kashmir
continues; dispute with India over
the terminus of Rann of Kutch
prevents extension of a maritime
boundary; water-sharing problems
with India persist over the Indus
River (Wular Barrage); close ties
with Pashtuns in Afghanistan make
long border difficult to control
Illicit drugs: Poppy cultivation practically
eliminated with only 213 hectares
grown; potential heroin production 5
tons; key transit area for Southwest
Asian heroin moving to Western
markets; narcotics still move from
Afghanistan, transiting Balochistan
Province or Karachi for onward
shipment