Facts on Pakistan

Population: 141,553,775 (July 2000 est.) Life expectancy at birth: Total population: 61.07 years Male: 60.27 years Female: 61.91 years (2000 est.) 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%

Capital: Islamabad

Executive branch: Note: following a military takeover on 12 October 1999, Chief of Army Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Gen. 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; President Mohammad Rafiq TARAR remains the ceremonial chief of state
Chief of State: President Mohammad Rafiq TARAR (since 31 December 1997)
Head of government: Chief Executive Gen. Pervez MUSHARRAF (since 12 October 1999)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the chief executive
Elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 31 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the National Assembly

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)

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judicial chiefs are appointed by the president; Federal Islamic (Shari'a) Court

Diplomatic representation in the 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

Economy

Economy - overview: Pakistan is a poor, heavily populated country, suffering from internal political disputes, lack of foreign investment, and a costly confrontation with neighboring India. Pakistan's economic outlook continues to be marred by its weak foreign exchange position, notably its continued reliance on international creditors for hard currency inflows. The MUSHARRAF government faces $32 billion in external debt and has nearly completed rescheduling with Paris Club members and other bilateral creditors. Foreign loans and grants provide approximately 25% of government revenue, but debt service obligations total nearly 50% of government expenditure. The IMF has remained silent on future disbursements from its $1.56 billion bailout package initiated in 1999, and other international financial institutions are gauging the current administration's resolve to implement necessary fiscal reforms. MUSHARRAF's ambitious economic agenda includes measures to widen the tax net, privatize public sector assets, and improve its balance of trade position. Pakistan has made privatization a cornerstone of economic revival, but may have difficulty attracting new investors until it receives positive endorsement from the World Bank. The Bank has withheld its approval pending resolution of the pricing dispute between the government and independent power producers.

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

Agriculture - products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs

Exports - commodities: cotton, fabrics, and yarn, rice, other agricultural products

Imports - commodities: machinery, petroleum, petroleum products, chemicals, transportation equipment, edible oils, grains, pulses, flour

Debt - external: $32 billion (1999 est.)

Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National Guard

Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 34,632,509 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 21,206,148 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 1,604,806 (2000 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2.435 billion (FY99/00)

Compiled from the CIA World Factbook