Pakistan: Geography

Pakistan has a total area of 803,940 square kilometers, slightly greater than France and the United Kingdom put together. Pakistan is located in South Asia. To the south is the Arabian Sea, with 1,046 km of Pakistani coastline. To Pakistan's east is India, which has a 2,912 km border with Pakistan To its west is Iran, which has a 909 km border with Pakistan. To Pakistan's northwest lies Afghanistan, with a shared border of 2,430 km. China is towards the northeast and has a 523 km border with Pakistan. The main waterway of Pakistan is the Indus River that begins in China, and runs nearly the entire length of Pakistan, flowing through all of Pakistan's provinces except Balochistan. is fed by the combined waters of three of the five rivers of Punjab the Chenab, Jhelum, and Ravi. The waters of the other two rivers, the Beas and the Sutlej, are largely withdrawn for irrigation in India. Along the Indus and its tributaries are found most of Pakistan's population, its chief agricultural areas, and its major hydroelectric power stations, interconnected by the world's largest system of agricultural canals, join the Indus before it discharges into the Arabian Sea. The northern and western areas of Pakistan are mountainous. Pakistani administered areas of Kashmir contain some of the highest mountains in the world, including the second tallest, K-2. Northern Pakistan tends to receive more rainfall than the southern parts of the country, and has some areas of preserved moist temperate forest. In the southeast, Pakistan's border with India passes through a flat desert, called the Cholistan or Thal Desert. West-central Balochistan has a high desert plateau, bordered by low mountain ranges. Most of the Punjab, and parts of Sindh, are fertile plains where agriculture is of great importance. Major Vegetative Zone : • Permanent snow fields & glaciers • Dry alpine & cold desert zone • Alpine scrub & moist alpine • Himalayan dry coniferous with ilex oak • Himalayan moist temperate forest • Sub-tropical pine forest • Sub-tropical dry mixed deciduous scrub forest • Balochistan Juniper & pistachio scrub forest • Dry sub-tropical and temperate semi-evergreen scrub forest • Tropical thorn forest & sand dune desert • Mangrove and littoral • Sand dune desert Agro Ecological zones include: • Indus Delta • Southern irrigated plain • Sandy deserts • Northern irrigated plains • Rain-fed lands • Wet mountains • Northern dry mountains • Western dry mountains • Dry western plateau • Sulaiman piedmont

More Update Geography Controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. 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 Area: total: 803,940 sq km land: 778,720 sq km water: 25,220 sq km Size comparison: 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: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin 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: 24.44% permanent crops: 0.84% other: 74.72% (2005) Irrigated land: 182,300 sq km (2003) Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August) Current Environment Issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; most of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification International Environment Agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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

Pakistan: Human Resources

Labour Force And Employment On the basis of the estimated population of 148.72 million and the participation rate of 29.61 percent, as per the Labour Force Survey 2001-02, the total labour force is estimated at 45.05 million. Of this, 30.19 million or 67.03 percent is in the rural areas and 14.85 million or 32.97 percent is in the urban areas. Population Growth and Literacy Rates (1999 to 2003) Mid Year Total Population (Million) Growth Rate (%) Literacy Rate (%) Rate % Change 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 136.64 139.76 142.86 145.96 149.03(E) 2.29 2.24 2.22 2.16 2.10 45.0 47.1 49.0 50.5 51.6 3.2 4.7 4.0 3.1 2.2 E: Estimated Source: Population Census Organization & Ministry of Planning & Dev. Division Selected Demographic Indicators Indicators Year (2003) Total Fertility Rate (TFR) Crude Birth Rate (CBR) Crude Death Rate Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) (per 100 thousand live birth) Life Expectancy Male Female 4.3 27.3 8 83 350-435 63 Employed Labour Force By Sectors (No. in million) Sector 2003 No. % Share Agriculture: Manufacturing & Mining: Construction: Wholesale & Retail Trade: Transport: Finance, Insurance, Community & Social Services: Others: 19.08 4.55 2.28 5.32 1.98 5.92 0.28 48.42 11.55 5.78 13.50 5.03 15.02 0.70 Total: 39.41 100.00

Economy of Pakistan : Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, has suffered from decades of internal political disputes, low levels of foreign investment, and declining exports of manufactures. Faced with untenable budgetary deficits, high inflation, and hemorrhaging foreign exchange reserves, the government agreed to an International Monetary Fund Standby Arrangement in November 2008. Between 2004-07, GDP growth in the 6-8% range was spurred by gains in the industrial and service sectors, despite severe electricity shortfalls. Poverty levels decreased by 10% since 2001, and Islamabad steadily raised development spending in recent years. In 2008 the fiscal deficit - a result of chronically low tax collection and increased spending - exceeded Islamabad's target of 4% of GDP. Inflation remains the top concern among the public, jumping from 7.7% in 2007 to 24.4% in 2008, primarily because of rising world fuel and commodity prices. In addition, the Pakistani rupee has depreciated significantly as a result of political and economic instability. GDP (purchasing power parity): $452.7 billion (2008 est.) $427.9 billion (2007) $404.5 billion (2006) GDP (official exchange rate): $160.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.8% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $2,600 (2008 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20.4% industry: 26.6% services: 53% (2008 est.) Labor force: 50.58 million note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor (2008 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 43% industry: 20.3% services: 36.6% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.4% plus substantial underemployment (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: 24% (FY05/06 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 26.3% (2002) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 30.6 (FY07/08) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20.8% (2008 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 20% of GDP (2008 est.) Budget: revenues: $22.14 billion expenditures: $32.09 billion (2008 est.) Public debt: 49.8% of GDP (2008 est.) Agriculture - products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs Industries: textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp Industrial production growth rate: 4.6% (2008 est.) Electricity - production: 93.26 billion kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - consumption: 68.4 billion kWh (2006 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 68,670 bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - consumption: 345,000 bbl/day (2006 est.) Oil - exports: 28,060 bbl/day (2005) Oil - imports: 290,600 bbl/day (2005) Oil - proved reserves: 289.2 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.) Natural gas - production: 30.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 30.8 billion cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 792.8 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) Current account balance: -$10.57 billion (2008 est.) Exports: $20.62 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Exports - commodities: textiles (garments, bed linen, cotton cloth, yarn), rice, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, carpets and rugs Exports - partners: US 18%, UAE 10.4%, Afghanistan 8.4%, China 5.2%, UK 4.7% (2007) Imports: $35.38 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportation equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea Imports - partners: China 16.2%, Saudi Arabia 10.9%, UAE 10.1%, US 5.7%, Kuwait 4.9%, Japan 4.4% (2007) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $9.104 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Debt - external: $43.23 billion (31 December 2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $25.31 billion (2008 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $1.032 billion (2008 est.) Market value of publicly traded shares: $70.26 billion (31 December 2007) Currency (code): Pakistani rupee (PKR) Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PKR) per US dollar - 70.64 (2008 est.), 60.6295 (2007), 60.35 (2006), 59.515 (2005), 58.258 (2004) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Pakistan: Civil Society

Population 144 millions 2002, Population growth rate 2.06% (2002 est.) Ethnic Groups In general percentages of population similar to linguistic groups: Punjabis:66percent, Sindhis:13 percent, Pakhtuns:10 percent, Baloch: 3 percent, Muhajirs: 7 percent, and other ethnic groups: 1 percent. Language Urdu official language, but English in general use in government,military, business, and higher education. Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English official and lingua francaUrdu of Pakistani and most government ministries), and other Dardack languages 8% . Religion About 97 percent of Pakistanis are Muslim, 77 percent of whom are Sunnis and 20 percent Shia; remaining 3 percent of population divided equally among Christians, Hindus, and other religions. Education and Literacy Primary schools: 150,963 Middle schools: 14,595 High schools: 9,808 Arts & science colleges: 798 Professional colleges: 161 Universities: 35 (10 in Private sector) Marriage It is a means of allying two extended families; romantic attachments have little role to play. The husband and wife are primarily representatives of their respective families in a contractual arrangement, which is typically negotiated between two male heads of household. It is fundamentally the parents' responsibility to arrange marriages for their children, but older siblings may be actively involved if the parents die early or if they have been particularly successful in business or politics. The terms are worked out in detail and are noted, by law, at the local marriage registry. Purdah Space is allocated to and used differently by men and women. For their protection and respectability, women have traditionally been expected to live under the constraints of purdah (purdah is Persian for curtain), most obvious in veiling. By separating women from the activities of men, both physically and symbolically, purdah creates differentiated male and female spheres. It is practiced in various ways, depending on family tradition, region, class, and rural or urban residence, but nowhere do unrelated men and women mix freely. Among wealthier Pakistanis, urban or rural residence is less important than family tradition in influencing whether women observe strict purdah and the type of veil they wear. In some areas, women simply observe "eye purdah": they tend not to mix with men, but when they do, they avert their eyes when interacting with them. Religious minorities Pakistan is a predominantly Muslim country. The number of all the non-Muslim minorities is 4.919 million in a population of 143 million (2002). These minorities are: Christians, with their largest pockets in Punjab; Hindus, with their largest pockets in Sindh; a small number of Parsis, mainly in the city of Karachi; a small number of Sikhs in Balochistan and NWFP; a small number of Bahais in some urban centres; pockets of indigenous people in Northern Areas and of scheduled castes in Sindh. These are distinct religious groups recognized as such since the British period. In 1974 Pakistan created a new religious minority, Ahmadis. There are also minority Muslim sects, such as Shias, Ismailis and Bohras, that are not treated as religious minorities.

Food Streets of Pakistan

Lahore Food Streets

Lahore is city of live hearted people, always finding an occasion for enjoyment, entertainment and good feast. While parks and other recreational facilities are filled with holiday makers, specially on weekends, the eateries are seldom found vacant throughout the weekdays. The traditional food of Lahore is found in the Walled City of Lahore, while the western and Chinese cuisines are generally found in the posh localities of Lahore Cantonment, Gulberg, Shadman and Shahjamal.

However, recently, a novel idea of establishing Food Streets outside the Walled City for the easy access to locals and tourists has gained much popularity. The first food street was opened in an alley of Gawalmandi, near the famous Mayo Hospital on Nisbat Road. The idea was to bring out the old and traditional foods for all and sundry at one place. Now the famous "Phajjay kay Paye" (joints of goat) originated from old Lahore, are available here, besides the Doctor Nihari, Sardar's fried fish, pathooray, katlamma and much more. Besides for the sweet tooth, a variety of sweet dishes are available like jalaibees, firni, kheer and others.

But that is not all. The old houses overlooking the streets have been renovated and their old balconies redone with wood carving and lights installed to provide more hues to the street down below. These look more enchanting and mystic through the sizzling smoke of BBQ food being prepared in abundance round the clock.

Lahorites bring their outstation guests to these streets to show their typical hospitality. And order kilos of various varieties of cooked meat, chicken, fish and other food items. After the food, a glass of iced Lassi, made of yogurt, water, sugar and "pairay" - a sweet made of thickened milk and sugar, served in large aluminum glasses adds to the everlasting taste (below right). Those who are good at it, prefer to drink it in one breath, called "deek" in local Punjabi language. Try it next time.

By the way, do not forget to eat "paan" - many substances wrapped in the beetle leaf, before leaving the Food Streets. These "Paan" sellers have deliberately established their shops on the entrance of the streets to provide the last taste of a wonderful evening spent in the food streets. The Food Streets close in morning around 8 am after serving the traditional breakfast of "Hawla and Poori" served with Lassi, Nihari and Hareesa. These dishes are difficult to describe and digest too since these are very rich in oil and peppers. so be careful, just in case.

"Paan" seller at the entrance of Gawalmandi Food Street

Other two Food Streets are located in Old Anarkali (off the Mall Road) and in the Walled City of Lahore. These remain open throughout the night and are seldom found empty. Now Lahorites treat their guests, specially from outside Lahore in the Food Streets rather than anywhere else.