|
|
 |
| |
| Pakistan is situated in southern
Asia, bordering (6,774 km) the Arabian Sea, between India
(2,912 km) on the east and Iran (909 km) and Afghanistan
(24,300 km) on the west and China (523 km) in the north. |
| |
| 1.1 |
Land area: |
Total: 803,940 sq km |
 |
| |
|
Land: 778,720 sq km |
| |
|
Water: 25,220 sq km |
| |
Land use: |
Arable land: 27% |
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|
Permanent crops: 1% |
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|
Permanent pastures: 6% |
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|
Forests and woodland:5% |
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|
Other: 61% |
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Irrigated
land: |
171,100 sq km |
| 1.2 |
Population:
|
147,663,429 (July 2002 est.) |
| |
Population
of Pakistan has increased in absolute terms by about 55
percent over the last census held in 1981. |
| |
|
| |
Age structure:
|
0-14
years: 39.9% (male 30,321,217; female 28,581,334) |
| |
|
5-64
years: 56% (male 42,254,996; female 40,392,092) |
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|
65
years and over: 4.1% (male 2,984,391; female 3,129,399)
(2002 est.) |
| |
Population
below poverty line: |
40%(2000
est.) |
| 1.3 |
Population
growth rate: |
2.06%
(2002 est.) |
| |
The Annual population
growth rate has decelerated continuously since 1981 |
|
| |
| Table
1.1 |
| Population
and Growth Rates |
| Year |
Total population
(Million) |
Growth
Rate % |
1981
1992 |
84.9
113.6
|
3.0
2.5 |
| 1993 |
116.5 |
2.5 |
| 1994 |
119.4 |
2.5 |
| 1995 |
122.4 |
2.5 |
| 1996 |
125.4 |
2.5 |
| 1997 |
128.4 |
2.4 |
| 1998 |
131.5 |
2.4 |
| 1999 |
134.5 |
2.3 |
| 2000 |
137.5 |
2.2 |
| 2001 |
140.5 |
2.1 |
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
As per population census, 1998, the proportion of population
by each province shows slight variation, as compared to 1981
census. The province /aria –wise population with respective
growth rates and shares are compared in Table 1.2 and figure
1.2. |
| Table
1.2 |
| Population
and Rates (area-wise) |
| Area |
Total population
(Million) |
Annual Growth
Rare |
| Pakistan |
130.5
|
2.6 |
| NWFP |
17.5 |
2.8 |
| Fata |
3.2 |
2.1 |
| Punjab |
72.5 |
2.6 |
| Sindhi |
29.9 |
2.7 |
| Balochistan |
6.6 |
2.4 |
| Islamabad |
0.8 |
5.2 |
| Source: Population
census 1998/ SBP |
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
| 1.4 |
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% |
| 1.5 |
Religion: |
Muslim 97% (Sunni
77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3% |
| 1.6 |
Education: |
Like many other
developing countries the condition of the education sector
in Pakistan is not very encouraging. The low enrolment
rates at the primary level, wide disparities between regions
and genders, lack of trained teachers, deficiency of proper
teaching materials, and poor physical infrastructure of
schools indicate the poor performance of this sector.
However, the number of primary and middle/ elementary
schools has increased substantially to 170524 and 24902
respectively, in 1999-2000. Private and NGO sectors’
data are not available, but their contribution is said
to be substantial. The major challenges of elementary
education are as follows: |
| |
 |
More than 5.5
million primary schools age children (5-9) are left outs. |
| |
|
Approximately
45 percent children drop out at the primary level. |
| |
|
Teacher absenteeism
is a common malady in schools especially in the rural
areas. |
| |
|
Instructional
supervision is weak at the elementary level. |
| |
|
About one-fourth
of primary school teachers are untrained and the present
training infrastructure does not appear to improve the
quality of instruction. |
| |
|
Learning materials
are inadequate and of poor quality. Teaching methods are
hard uncongenial for learning and motivating pupils. |
| |
|
| Primary Education has
been the top priority area within education sector.
The participation rate is concerned, it may be observed
that girls participation rate at all levels are
lower than boys. (Table 1.3) |
| Table
1.3 |
Participation Rate
(Percentage) Year 1999-2000 |
| Stage |
Both |
Male |
Female |
Primary
stage (Class 1-5)
|
89
|
99 |
79 |
Middle stage
Class (6-8)
|
47.5 |
55 |
40 |
High
stage Class (9-10)
|
29.5 |
35 |
24 |
| Source:
Economic Review 99/2000. |
|
|
|
| |
| 1.7 |
Literacy rate: |
The literacy rate,
at present, is estimated at 47.1 percent. Illiteracy among
female is still prevalent particularly in rural areas.
Non – formal primary education programmers of a
number of the active NGOs are also addressing the issue
of illiteracy among the women and girls. |
| |
|
| Table
1.4 |
| Literacy
Rate (Percentage) |
| |
96/97 |
97/98 |
98/99 |
99/2000 |
Total
|
42.2
|
43.6 |
45.0 |
47.1 |
Male
|
53.4 |
54.9 |
56.5 |
59.0 |
Female
|
30.0 |
31.3 |
32.6 |
35.4 |
| Source: Economic
Survey-1999/2000 |
|
|
|
| |
| 1.8 |
Capital: |
Islamabad |
| 1.9 |
Major Principal
cities: |
Karachi |
Peshawar |
| |
|
Lahore |
Sialkot |
| |
|
Faisalabad |
Sargodha |
| |
|
(Lyallpur) |
Quetta |
| |
|
Rawalpindi |
Hydra bad |
| |
|
Multan |
Gujranwala |
| |
|
Jhanq |
Bahawalpur |
| |
Source:
The Europe World Year Book 1998. |
| 1.10 |
Climate:
|
Pakistan
has well defined seasons; Winter (December- February),
Spring (March-April), Summer (May-September) and
Autumn (October- November).
During the summer in plains, the temperature may
go as high as 45C. Between July and August, the
monsoon brings an average 38 to 51 cms of rain to
plains and 152 to 203 cms in lower Himalayan valleys
of Murree,Kaghan, Swat and Azad Kashmir.
Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally
severe especially in north and west; flooding along
the Indus after heavy rains (July and August) |
| 1.11 |
Public Holidays:
|
January |
| |
|
*Id al-Fitr, end of Ramadan-
19th January |
| |
|
March |
| |
|
Proclamation
of Republic in 1956.(Republic Day) – 23rd
March. |
| |
|
*Id
al-Adha, Feast of the sacrifice - 28th March |
| |
|
April |
| |
|
Good
Friday - 2nd April •
Easter Monday - 5th April•
*Muharam, Islamic New Year – 17th April
*Ashoura - 26th April |
| |
|
May |
| |
|
Labor
Day – 1st May |
| |
|
June |
| |
|
*Eid-I-Milad-un-Nabi,
Birth of the prophe – 26th June• |
| |
|
August |
| |
|
Independence
day – 14th August |
| |
|
September |
| |
|
Defense
of Pakistan Day – 6th September
Anniversary of death of Quaid-i-Azam – 11th
September |
| |
|
November |
| |
|
Allama
Iqbal Day – 9th November |
| |
|
December |
| |
|
*Ramzans
begins –9th December
Birthday of Quaid-i-Azam & Christmas - 25th
December
Boxing Day – 26th December. |
| |
|
Note |
| |
|
*
: These holdings are dependent on the Islamic lunar
calendar & may vary
by one or two days from the dates given, |
| |
|
•
: Optional holdings for Christmas only. |
| |
Source:
The Europe World Year Book 1998. |
| 1.12 |
Working
Hours: |
The
factories act limits adults to an eighthour day
or a 48 hour week. The only exception is seasonal
businesses, which operate 180 days a year or fewer.
There is no discrimination about working hours on
the basis of sex. Pakistan places no restrictions
on employing foreigners.(Source: E.I.U-1997.) |
| |
Business
Hours: |
| Banks: |
Monday to Thursday and Saturday |
09:00-13:30 |
| |
Friday |
09:00-12:00 |
| Govt. Office: |
Monday to Thursday and Saturday |
08:00-15:00 |
| |
Friday |
08:00-12:00 |
Private Business:
|
Monday to Thursday and Saturday |
09:00-17:00 |
| |
Friday |
09:00-12:00 |
| Sunday is the weekly
holiday. Shorter hours during Ramadan (fasting
month) are observed throughout Pakistan. |
| (Source: Pakistan
Guide Map-1999) |
|
| 1.13 |
Time: |
Pakistan
standard time is GMT plus 5 hours. It gets dark
at about 5 p.m. in winter and at 7.30 p.m. in summer.
The time difference between Sri Lanka and Pakistan
is minas 1 hour and 10 minutes |
| 1.14 |
Visa
Requirements: |
Passport
and visa |
| |
|
All
foreigners coming to Pakistan need a valid passport.
Tourists from the following countries do not need
visa to enter for the period specified as under; |
| |
|
| 1. |
Iceland, Maldives, Singapore, South Korea,
Zambia and Mauritius: For 3 months |
| 2. |
Hong
Kong, Nepal and Western Samoa: For 1 month |
| 3. |
Tonga,
Trinidad and Tobago for unlimited period |
|
| |
|
Landing
permit/transit visa for 30 days shall be given at
entry points/airports, by Pakistan Immigration,
free of cost, to genuine tourists after satisfying
about their bonafied. Such landing permit/transit
visa should be regularized from the nearest Regional
Passport & Immigration Office, within its validity.
Landing permit facility is not available for the
nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Sri Lanka,
Sudan, Serbia, Tanzania and Uganda. However, it
is always better for tourists to obtain visa in
their own country. Israeli passport holders are
not allowed entry into Pakistan. |
| |
|
Application
Requirement for Visa |
| |
|
Valid
passport, 02 passport-size photographs, completed
application form, confirmed return/onward air-ticket
(if traveling by air) and proof of sufficient amount
of foreign currency. Visa fee varies from country
to country and type of visa. |
| |
|
Validity
of Visa and other information |
| |
|
| 1. |
Visa once issued, can be utilized within 6
months from the date of issue or as provided
for |
| 2. |
A
single journey entry visa is valid for a stay
up to 3 months unless other wise provided |
| 3. |
Multiple
journey visa is valid for stay of 5 months
at one time. Any number of journeys (normally
six) during a specified period not exceeding
one year, are allowed on such visas |
| 4. |
Double
entry visa can also be issued to genuine tourists
by Pakistani embassies abroad |
| 5. |
Visa
extension (maximum up to 3 months) is granted
by Regional Passport & Immigration Offices
in major cities of Pakistan (Rawalpindi, Islamabad,
Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta etc.) |
| 6. |
Foreign
tourists entering Pakistan through regular
check posts do not need any road permit. There
is no fresh visa required to travel from one
province to another province of Pakistan;
however, permission is needed for visit to
some restricted areas. (Details can be obtained
from any PTDC Tourists Information Center) |
| 7. |
Tourists
not staying for over 30 days in Pakistan do
not require any Police Registration |
| 8. |
Visitors
staying over 30 days need to register themselves
with the District Foreigners Registration
Office within 30 days of their arrival in
Pakistan |
| 9. |
They
should get a resident permit from the Registration
Office in exchange to the temporary registration
(form c’) issued to them by immigration
authorities at the time of entry. Indian and
Afghan visitors are required to obtain Police
Registration within 24 hours of their arrival
in Pakistan |
|
|
| 1.15 |
Currency: |
Pakistani rupee (PKR) |
| |
|
Basic
unit of currency is Rupee, which divides into 100
Paisas. Currency notes of 1,2,5,10,50,100,500 and
1000 Rupees are in use. Coins of 5,10,25,50 Paisa
and 01 Rupee in circulation. |
| |
Currency
Regulations |
There
are no restrictions on import of any foreign currency
in any quantity. Un-spent balance of Pakistani Rupee
can be re- converted at the time of departure from
the banks at exit points or from any authorized
moneychanger in any city.
Source: Tourist Guide Map-1999. |
| 1.16 |
Weights
and Measures |
The
metric system has an officially introduced.
Local weight measures,
1 maund = 82.28 Ib (37.32 kg)
1 seer = 2.057 Ib (933 grams)
1 tola = 180 grains (11.66 grams)
Source: The Europa World Year Book –1998. |
| 1.17 |
Government |
Type: Military.
Parliamentary democracy suspended on October 12,
1999 |
| |
|
The
military government on October 12, 1999 suspended
the Pakistan Constitution of 1973, amended substantially
in 1985 under Zia. General Pervez Musharraf has
committed to return Pakistan to democratic, civilian
rule but the implications of his promised structural
reforms on the country's previous parliamentary
system are unknown.
Under the Provisional Constitutional Order and its
amendments, all power flows from and to the Chief
Executive, who also holds the posts of Chief of
Army Staff and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The Judiciary is proscribed from issuing any order
contrary to the decisions of the Chief Executive,
and the President, Cabinet, National
Security Council, and Governors serve at his discretion.
In practice, General Musharraf consults extensively
with his civilian appointees and Corps Commanders
and in certain policy areas (e.g., economic reform)
civilian appointees have exhibited wide policy latitude. |
| 1.18 |
Political condition
bearing on trade: |
The
president, General Pervez Musharraf, intends to
remain in power until 2007, the military threat
from India remains as a major terrorist attack and,
India may decide to launch an attack on Pakistani
Kashmir. 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.
The Economist Intelligence Unit assumes that GDP
growth will rise to 4.5% in 2002/03, as increased
multilateral grants begin to benefit the domestic
economy. Inflationary pressures will also increase,
particularly in 2003, with prices rising by 3.5%
in 2002 and 5.8% in 2003. The current-account deficit
will widen in 2003 as imports begin to pick up. |
| 1.19 |
Other
useful general information: |
Natural
Resources |
Land, Extensive Natural
Gas Reserves, Limited Petroleum, Poor Quality Coal,
Iron Ore, Copper, Salt, Limestone |
| |
|
Country
Dialing Code |
92 |
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