Asia and Oceania

Pakistan
Last reviewed: 01 October 2009

Country information

See entire profile

PAKISTAN TODAY

Country Facts

Area: 803,940 sq km (499,545 sq miles)
Capital City: Islamabad
Population: 164 million
Population below poverty line: 36 million
Literacy rate: Male: 61.7% / Female: 35.2% / Total: 48.7%
People: Punjabi (66%), Sindhi (13%), Pashtun, (10.9%), Muhajir (7.6%), Balochi (2.5%)
Official languages: English and Urdu
Languages spoken: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun, Urdu, Balochi, English and many other local languages
Religions: Islam (97%), Hinduism, Christianity and others (3%)
Currency: Rupee
Major Political Parties: Pakistan People's Party (PPP); Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N); Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid-i-Azam (PML-Q); Awami National Party (ANP); Jamiat Ulema-i- Islami- Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F); Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)
Head of State: President Asif Ali Zardari
Prime Minister: Yousaf Raza Gilani
Foreign Minister: Makhdoom shah Mehmood Hussain Qureshi
Membership of International Organisations: United Nations (UN); the Commonwealth; South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC); Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC); ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)