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Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); Federal Islamic or Shari'a Court

Political parties and leaders:

Awami National Party or ANP [Asfandyar Wali KHAN]; Balochistan National Party-Hayee Group or BNP-H [Dr. Hayee BALOCH]; Balochistan National Party-Awami or BNP-A [Moheem Khan BALOCH]; Balochistan National Party-Mengal or BNP-M [Sardar Ataullah MENGAL]; Jamhoori Watan Party or JWP; Jamiat Ahle Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR]; Jamaat-i Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Jamiat Ulema-i Islam Fazlur Rehman or JUI-F [Fazlur REHMAN]; Jamiat Ulema-i Islam Sami-ul HAQ or JUI-S [Sami ul-HAQ]; Jamiat Ulema-i Pakistan or JUP [Shah Faridul HAQ]; Muttahida Majlis-e Amal or MMA [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Muttahida Qaumi Movement or MQM [Altaf HUSSAIN]; National Alliance or NA [Ghulam Mustapha JATOI] (merged with PML); National Peoples Party or NPP; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party or PKMAP [Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI]; Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT [Tahir ul QADRI]; Pakistan Muslim League-Functional or PML-F [Pir PAGARO]; Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Sharif or PML-N [Nawaz SHARIF]; Pakistan Muslim League or PML [Chaudhry Shujaat HUSSAIN]; Pakistan Peoples Party-SHERPAO or PPP-S [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO]; Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians or PPPP [Bilawal Bhutto ZARDARI, chairman; Asif Ali ZARDARI, co-chairman]; Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN]; Tehrik-i Islami [Allama Sajid NAQVI]

note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently

Political pressure groups and leaders:

other: military (most important political force); ulema (clergy); landowners; industrialists; small merchants

International organization participation:

ADB, ARF, C (reinstated 2004), CP, ECO, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Husain HAQQANI

chancery: 3517 International Court, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 243-6500

FAX: [1] (202) 686-1544

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Sunnyvale (California)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Anne W. PATTERSON

embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad

mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200

telephone: [92] (51) 208-0000

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, has suffered from decades of internal political disputes, low levels of foreign investment, and a costly, ongoing confrontation with neighboring India. However, since 2001, IMF-approved reforms - most notably, privatization of the banking sector - bolstered by generous foreign assistance and renewed access to global markets, have generated macroeconomic recovery. Pakistan has experienced GDP growth in the 6-8% range in 2004-07, spurred by gains in the industrial and service sectors. Poverty levels have decreased by 10% since 2001, and Islamabad has steadily raised development spending in recent years, including a 52% real increase in the budget allocation for development in FY07. In 2007 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 more than 11% during the first few months of 2008, primarily because of rising world commodity prices. The Pakistani rupee has depreciated since the proclamation of emergency rule in November 2007.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$410 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):

$143.8 billion (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.4% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$2,600 (2007 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 19.6%

industry: 26.8%

services: 53.7% (2007 est.)

Labor force:

49.18 million

note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 42%

industry: 20%

services: 38% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

7.5% plus substantial underemployment (2007 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 (2002)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7.8% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

21.4% of GDP (2007 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $21.95 billion

expenditures: $27.62 billion (2007 est.)

Public debt:

52.8% of GDP (2007 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:

6.8% (2007 est.)

Electricity - production:

89.82 billion kWh (2005)

Electricity - production by source:

fossil fuel: 68.8%

hydro: 28.2%

nuclear: 3%

other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

67.06 billion kWh (2005)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2005)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2005)

Oil - production:

68,220 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption:

345,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - exports:

23,230 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - imports:

278,900 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - proved reserves:

376.8 million bbl (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production:

29.54 billion cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

29.54 billion cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2005)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

764.6 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Current account balance:

-$7.105 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$16.31 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

textiles (garments, bed linen, cotton cloth, yarn), rice, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, carpets and rugs

Exports - partners:

US 21%, UAE 9%, Afghanistan 7.7%, China 5.3%, UK 5.1% (2006)

Imports:

$30.33 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportation equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea

Imports - partners:

China 13.8%, Saudi Arabia 10.5%, UAE 9.7%, US 6.5%, Japan 5.7%, Kuwait 4.7%, Germany 4.1% (2006)

Economic aid - recipient:

$1.666 billion (2005)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$15.69 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$39.23 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$20.01 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$952 million (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$45.52 billion (2006)

Currency (code):

Pakistani rupee (PKR)

Currency code:

PKR

Exchange rates:

Pakistani rupees per US dollar - 60.6295 (2007), 60.35 (2006), 59.515 (2005), 58.258 (2004), 57.752 (2003)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Pakistan

Telephones - main lines in use:

5.24 million (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

63.16 million (2007)

Telephone system:

general assessment: the telecommunications infrastructure is improving dramatically with foreign and domestic investments into fixed-line and mobile networks; mobile-cellular subscribership has skyrocketed, reaching some 63 million in mid-2007, up from only about 300,000 in 2000; fiber systems are being constructed throughout the country to aid in network growth; main line availability has risen only marginally over the same period and there are still difficulties getting main line service to rural areas

domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, cellular, and satellite networks

international: country code - 92; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable systems that provide links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; 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 (2006)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 31, FM 68, shortwave NA (2006)

Radios:

13.5 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

20 (5 state-run channels and 15 privately-owned satellite channels) (2006)

Televisions:

3.1 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.pk

Internet hosts:

164,067 (2007)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

30 (2000)

Internet users:

12 million (2006)

Transportation Pakistan

Airports:

146 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 92

over 3,047 m: 16

2,438 to 3,047 m: 19

1,524 to 2,437 m: 29

914 to 1,523 m: 18

under 914 m: 10 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 54

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 16

914 to 1,523 m: 13

under 914 m: 24 (2007)

Heliports:

18 (2007)

Pipelines:

gas 10,398 km; oil 2,076 km (2007)

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 (2006)

Roadways:

total: 259,758 km

paved: 162,879 km (includes 711 km of expressways)

unpaved: 96,879 km (2005)

Merchant marine:

total: 14 ships (1000 GRT or over) 325,254 GRT/536,876 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 10, petroleum tanker 3

registered in other countries: 12 (Comoros 2, Hong Kong 1, North Korea 1, Malta 2, Panama 5, St Vincent and The Grenadines 1) (2007)

Ports and terminals:

Karachi, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim

Military Pakistan

Military branches:

Army (includes National Guard), Navy (includes Marines and Maritime Security Agency), Pakistan Air Force (Pakistan Fiza'ya) (2008)

Military service age and obligation:

16 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed for combat until age of 18; the Pakistani Air Force and Pakistani Navy have inducted their first female pilots and sailors (2006)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 42,633,765

females age 16-49: 40,114,017 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 32,453,913

females age 16-49: 31,369,057 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

males age 16-49: 1,976,444

females age 16-49: 1,856,505 (2008 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3% (2007 est.)

Transnational Issues Pakistan

Disputes - international:

various talks and confidence-building measures cautiously have begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, particularly since the October 2005 earthquake in the region; Kashmir nevertheless remains the site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; India and Pakistan have maintained their 2004 cease fire in Kashmir and initiated discussions on defusing the armed stand-off in the Siachen glacier region; Pakistan protests India's fencing the highly militarized Line of Control and construction of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of the larger dispute on water sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries; to defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan seek technical resolution of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch in the Arabian Sea; Pakistani maps continue to show the Junagadh claim in India's Gujarat State; by 2005, Pakistan, with UN assistance, repatriated 2.3 million Afghan refugees leaving slightly more than a million, many of whom remain at their own choosing; Pakistan has proposed and Afghanistan protests construction of a fence and laying of mines along portions of their porous border; Pakistan has sent troops into remote tribal areas to monitor and control the border with Afghanistan and to stem terrorist or other illegal activities

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 1,043,984 (Afghanistan)

IDPs: undetermined (government strikes on Islamic militants in South Waziristan); 34,000 (October 2005 earthquake; most of those displaced returned to their home villages in the spring of 2006) (2007)

Illicit drugs:

opium poppy cultivation estimated to be 800 hectares in 2005 yielding a potential production of 4 metric tons of pure heroin; federal and provincial authorities continue to conduct anti-poppy campaigns that force eradication - fines and arrests will take place if the ban on poppy cultivation is not observed; key transit point for Afghan drugs, including heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish, bound for Western markets, the Gulf States, and Africa; financial crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems

This page was last updated on 15 July, 2008

The World Factbook

Palau

Introduction Palau

Background:

After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year, when the islands gained independence.

Geography Palau

Location:

Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines

Geographic coordinates:

7 30 N, 134 30 E