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Asia and Oceania

Pakistan
Last reviewed: 01 April 2011

Country information

PAKISTAN TODAY

Country Facts

Area: 803,940 sq km (499,545 sq miles)
Capital City: Islamabad
Population: 177 million
Population below poverty line: 43 million
Literacy rate: Male: 63% / Female: 35.2% / Total: 49.9%
People: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%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: Position Vacant
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)
 

Country information

Travel advice

Travel Advice: Pakistan

Our work in Pakistan

Pakistan's Youth Parliament thrives

Escaping forced marriage

Useful links

• Country Strategy Paper for Pakistan
 
• Department for International Development: Pakistan
• Pakistan Ministry of Information official website
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan
• Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation
• The Commonwealth website
• BBC News

Contacts