The dispute over the state of Kashmir between Pakistan and India is still unresolved and sometimes leads to the escalation of tensions between the two neighbours. In recent times discussions and confidence-building measures have resulted in the ease of tensions between the countries.
Travel overview
Travel in Pakistan is as rewarding as it is challenging. The country's archeological sites, scenic beauty and its cultures and people and an exotic wildlife leave those who visit unaffected. Lahore and other historic towns still show glimpses of lost glories. The best of Pakistan is its countryside, and in particular the mountain scenery. The Karakoram Highway is a scenic delight.
Prime tourists attractions in the country include the Indus Valley sites of Mohenjodaro and Harappa. The beautiful Badshahi Mosque built in Mughal style is one of the largest mosques in the world. The Chaukundi Graveyards is famous for their wonderful tombs and mausoleums that are covered.. For the wildlife enthusiasts, the Khunjerab Pass located in Khunjerab National Park has exotic wildlife on view, along with the Nathiagali forests and Takht-i-Bahi ruins.
Capital: Islamabad Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
Climate: mostly hot, dry desert, temperate in northwest and arctic in north
Total Area: 803,940 sq km
Total Population: 1164,741,924
Population Growth Rate: 1.828%
Sex Ratio: 1.045 male(s)/female
Literacy: 49.9%
Ethnic Groups: Punjabi, Sindhi, Baloch, Pashtun (Pathan), Muhajir
Irrigated land: 182,300 sq km
Languages: Punjabi, Sindhi, Siraiki, Pashtu, Urdu, Balochi, Hindko, Brahui, English, Burushaski
Time Zone: UTC+5
Currency: Pakistani rupee (PKR
Neighbouring countries: Afghanistan, China, India, Iran
Type of govt.: federal republic
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz
Major Political Parties: Awami National Party or ANP , Balochistan National Party/Hayee Group or BNP/H , Baluch National Party/Awami or BNP/A , Baluch National Party-Mengal or BNP/M , Jamhoori Watan Party or JWP, Jamiat-al-Hadith or JAH , Jamiat-i-Islami or JI , Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Fazlur Rehman faction or JUI/F ,Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sami ul-HAQ faction or JUI/S , Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan or JUP , Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal or MMA , Muttahida Qaumi Movement, or MQM , National Alliance or NA , Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party or PkMAP , Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT ,Pakistan Muslim League, Functional Group or PML/F , Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction or PML/N , Pakistan Muslim League or PML , Pakistan People's Party or PPP/S , Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians or PPPP , Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf or PTI , Tehrik-i-Islami
Participation in International Organizations: ARF, AsDB, G-24, G-77, CP, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFRCS, IHO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ILO, IMF, IMO, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MONUC, NAM, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, OIC, ONUB, SACEP, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WCO, WFTU, WHO,
Major Agricultural Products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs
Natural Resources & Minerals: limited petroleum, poor quality coal, land, extensive natural gas reserves, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone.
Industry & Transport: food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, textiles and apparel, paper products, shrimp, fertilizer
Airports: 139
Railways: 8,163 km
Roadways: 258,340 km
Major Trade Partners: US, UAE, Afghanistan, UK, Germany, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Kuwait
Exports: $19.24 billion
Imports: $26.79 billion