Pakistan

Pakistan

Introduction

Background

The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries

the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars – in 1947-48 and 1965 – over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 – in which India capitalized on Islamabad’s marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics – resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. India-Pakistan relations have been rocky since the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, but both countries are taking small steps to put relations back on track. In February 2008, Pakistan held parliamentary elections and in September 2008, after the resignation of former President MUSHARRAF, elected Asif Ali ZARDARI to the presidency. Pakistani government and military leaders are struggling to control domestic insurgents, many of whom are located in the tribal areas adjacent to the border with Afghanistan.

Geography

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

Map references

Asia

Area

total: 796,095 sq km
country comparison to the world: 36 land:770,875 sq km
water:25,220 sq km

Area – comparative

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

198,700 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

233.8 cu km (2003)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 169.39cu km/yr (2%/2%/96%)
per capita:1,072cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west

flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)

Environment – current issues

water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff

limited natural freshwater resources

most of the population does not have access to potable water

deforestation

soil erosion

desertification

Environment – international 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

Geography – note

controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Pakistani(s)
adjective:Pakistani

Ethnic groups

Punjabi 44.68%, Pashtun (Pathan) 15.42%, Sindhi 14.1%, Sariaki 8.38%, Muhajirs 7.57%, Balochi 3.57%, other 6.28%

Languages

Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Saraiki (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%

Religions

Muslim 95% (Sunni 75%, Shia 20%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 5%

Population

187,342,721 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6

Age structure

0-14 years: 35.4% (male 34,093,853/female 32,278,462)
15-64 years:60.4% (male 58,401,016/female 54,671,873)
65 years and over:4.2% (male 3,739,647/female 4,157,870) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 21.6 years
male:21.5 years
female:21.6 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.573% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75

Birth rate

24.81 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62

Death rate

6.92 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137

Net migration rate

-2.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167

Urbanization

urban population: 36% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:3.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

Karachi 13.125 million

Lahore 7.132 million

Faisalabad 2.849 million

Rawalpindi 2.026 million

ISLAMABAD (capital) 832,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.92 male(s)/female
total population:1.07 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

260 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 51

Infant mortality rate

total: 63.26 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 26 male:66.52 deaths/1,000 live births
female:59.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 65.99 years
country comparison to the world: 165 male:64.18 years
female:67.9 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.17 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Health expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 182

Physicians density

0.813 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 111

Hospital bed density

0.6 beds/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 166

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 95% of population
rural: 87% of population
total: 90% of population
unimproved:
urban: 5% of population
rural: 13% of population
total: 10% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 72% of population
rural: 29% of population
total: 45% of population
unimproved:
urban: 28% of population
rural: 71% of population
total: 55% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

98,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42

HIV/AIDS – deaths

5,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases:dengue fever and malaria
animal contact disease:rabies
note:highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country

it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

31.3% (2001)
country comparison to the world: 17

Education expenditures

2.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 142

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:49.9%
male:63%
female:36% (2005 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 7 years
male:8 years
female:6 years (2009)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 7.7%
country comparison to the world: 114 male:7%
female:10.5% (2008)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
conventional short form:Pakistan
local long form:Jamhuryat Islami Pakistan
local short form:Pakistan
former:West Pakistan

Government type

federal republic

Capital

name: Islamabad
geographic coordinates:33 42 N, 73 10 E
time difference:UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**

Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly North-West Frontier Province), Punjab, Sindh
note:the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region consists of two administrative entities: Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan

Independence

14 August 1947 (from British India)

National holiday

Republic Day, 23 March (1956)

Constitution

12 April 1973

suspended 5 July 1977, restored 30 December 1985

suspended 15 October 1999, restored in stages in 2002

amended 31 December 2003

suspended 3 November 2007

restored 15 December 2007

amended 19 April 2010

Legal system

common law system with Islamic law influence

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims

Executive branch

chief of state: President Asif Ali ZARDARI (since 9 September 2008)
head of government:Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza GILANI (since 25 March 2008)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the president upon the advice of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:the president elected by secret ballot through an Electoral College comprising the members of the Senate, National Assembly, and the provincial assemblies for a five-year term

election last held on 6 September 2008 (next to be held not later than 2013)

note – any person who is a Muslim and not less than 45 years of age and is qualified to be elected as a member of the National Assembly can contest the presidential election

the prime minister selected by the National Assembly
election results:Asif Ali ZARDARI elected president

ZARDARI 481 votes, SIDDIQUE 153 votes, SYED 44 votes

Syed Yousuf Raza GILANI elected prime minister

GILANI 264 votes, Pervaiz ELAHI 42 votes

several abstentions

Legislative branch

bicameral parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (100 seats

members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies and the territories’ representatives in the National Assembly to serve six-year terms

one half are elected every three years) and the National Assembly (342 seats

272 members elected by popular vote

60 seats reserved for women

10 seats reserved for non-Muslims

members serve five-year terms)
elections:Senate – last held on 3 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2012)

National Assembly – last held on 18 February 2008 with by-elections on 26 June 2008 (next to be held in 2013)
election results:Senate – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – PPPP 27, PML 21, MMA 9, PML-N 7, ANP 6, MQM 6, JUI-F 4, BNP-A 2, JWP 1, NPP 1, PKMAP 1, PML-F 1, PPP 1, independents 13

National Assembly – percent of votes by party – NA

seats by party as of October 2010 – PPPP 127, PML-N 90, PML 51, MQM 25, ANP 13, JUI-F 8, PML-F 5, BNP-A 1, NPP 1, PPP-S 1, independents 18, unfilled seats – 2

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president)

Federal Islamic or Sharia Court

Political parties and leaders

Awami National Party or ANP [Asfandyar Wali KHAN]

Balochistan National Party-Awami or BNP-A [Moheem Khan BALOCH]

Balochistan National Party-Hayee Group or BNP-H [Dr. Hayee BALOCH]

Balochistan National Party-Mengal or BNP-M [Sardar Ataullah MENGAL]

Jamaat-i Islami or JI [Syed Munawar HASAN]

Jamhoori Watan Party or JWP

Jamiat Ahle Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR]

Jamiat Ulema-i Islam Fazl-ur Rehman or JUI-F [Fazl-ur 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 or PML [Chaudhry Shujaat HUSSAIN]

Pakistan Muslim League-Functional or PML-F [Pir PAGARO]

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or PML-N [Nawaz SHARIF]

Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians or PPPP [Bilawal Bhutto ZARDARI, chairman

Asif Ali ZARDARI, co-chairman]

Pakistan Peoples Party-SHERPAO or PPP-S [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO]

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, ASEAN (dialogue partner), C, CICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-11, 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, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, 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 (Honorary Consulate General), Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York
consulate(s):Chicago, Houston

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Cameron MUNTER
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

National symbol(s)

star and crescent

National anthem

name: “Qaumi Tarana” (National Anthem)
lyrics/music:Abu-Al-Asar Hafeez JULLANDHURI/Ahmed Ghulamali CHAGLA
note:adopted 1954

the anthem is also known as “Pak sarzamin shad bad” (Blessed Be the Sacred Land)

Economy

Economy – overview

Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, has suffered from decades of internal political disputes and low levels of foreign investment. Between 2001-07, however, poverty levels decreased by 10%, as Islamabad steadily raised development spending. During 2004-07, GDP growth in the 5-8% range was spurred by gains in the industrial and service sectors – despite severe electricity shortfalls – but growth slowed in 2008-09 and unemployment rose. Inflation remains the top concern among the public, climbing from 7.7% in 2007 to more than 13% in 2010. In addition, the Pakistani rupee has depreciated since 2007 as a result of political and economic instability. The government agreed to an International Monetary Fund Standby Arrangement in November 2008 in response to a balance of payments crisis, but during 2009-10 its current account strengthened and foreign exchange reserves stabilized – largely because of lower oil prices and record remittances from workers abroad. Record floods in July-August 2010 lowered agricultural output and contributed to a jump in inflation, and reconstruction costs will strain the limited resources of the government. Textiles account for most of Pakistan’s export earnings, but Pakistan’s failure to expand a viable export base for other manufactures has left the country vulnerable to shifts in world demand. Other long term challenges include expanding investment in education, healthcare, and electricity production, and reducing dependence on foreign donors.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$464.9 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28 $443.6 billion (2009 est.)
$429.2 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$174.9 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

4.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76 3.4% (2009 est.)
1.6% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$2,500 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182 $2,400 (2009 est.)
$2,400 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 21.2%
industry:25.4%
services:53.4% (2010 est.)

Labor force

55.77 million
country comparison to the world: 10 note:extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor (2010 est.)

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 43%
industry:20.3%
services:36.6% (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

15.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152 14.4% (2009 est.)
note:substantial underemployment exists

Population below poverty line

24% (FY05/06 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.9%
highest 10%:26.5% (2005)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

30.6 (FY07/08)
country comparison to the world: 114 41 (FY98/99)

Investment (gross fixed)

13.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169

Budget

revenues: $24.75 billion
expenditures:$35.67 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166

Public debt

50.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51 50.2% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

13.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213 13.6% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.07% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19 12.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13.462% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66 14.189% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$53.08 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44 $45.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$85.22 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55 $65.13 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$61.39 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62 $56.11 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$38.17 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 55 $33.24 billion (31 December 2009)
$23.49 billion (31 December 2008)

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% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90

Electricity – production

89.23 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34

Electricity – consumption

68.55 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

63,580 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56

Oil – consumption

410,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34

Oil – exports

29,840 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85

Oil – imports

346,400 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31

Oil – proved reserves

313 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55

Natural gas – production

38.41 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23

Natural gas – consumption

38.41 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170

Natural gas – proved reserves

840.2 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29

Current account balance

-$1.585 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154 -$3.993 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$21.46 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68 $18.35 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

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

Exports – partners

US 15.8%, Afghanistan 8.1%, UAE 7.9%, China 7.3%, UK 4.3%, Germany 4.2% (2010)

Imports

$32.88 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58 $28.62 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

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

Imports – partners

China 17.9%, Saudi Arabia 10.7%, UAE 10.6%, Kuwait 5.5%, US 4.9%, Malaysia 4.8% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$17.21 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62 $13.77 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$56.12 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56 $53.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$30.06 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62 $28.04 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$1.148 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73 $1.102 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Pakistani rupees (PKR) per US dollar -
85.27 (2010)
81.71 (2009)
70.64 (2008)
60.6295 (2007)
60.35 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

148 (2010)
country comparison to the world:37

Airports – with paved runways

total: 101
over 3,047 m:15
2,438 to 3,047 m:20
1,524 to 2,437 m:39
914 to 1,523 m:18
under 914 m:9 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 47
1,524 to 2,437 m:11
914 to 1,523 m:11
under 914 m:25 (2010)

Heliports

20 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 10,514 km

oil 2,013 km

refined products 787 km (2010)

Railways

total: 7,791 km
country comparison to the world: 27 broad gauge:7,479 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified)
narrow gauge:312 km 1.000-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 260,760 km
country comparison to the world: 20 paved:180,910 km (includes 711 km of expressways)
unpaved:79,850 km (2010)

Merchant marine

total: 10
country comparison to the world: 116 by type:bulk carrier 1, cargo 4, petroleum tanker 5
registered in other countries:14 (Comoros 3, Georgia 1, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 5, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Karachi, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim

Military

Military branches

Army (includes National Guard), Navy (includes Marines and Maritime Security Agency), Pakistan Air Force (Pakistan Fiza’ya) (2010)

Military service age and obligation

17-23 years of age for voluntary military service

soldiers cannot be deployed for combat until age 18

the Pakistani Air Force and Pakistani Navy have inducted their first female pilots and sailors (2009)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 48,453,305
females age 16-49:44,898,096 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 37,945,440
females age 16-49:37,381,549 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 2,237,723
female:2,104,906 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

3% of GDP (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Transnational Issues

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 sent troops across and built fences along some remote tribal areas of its treaty-defined Durand Line border with Afghanistan, which serve as bases for foreign terrorists and other illegal activities

Afghan, Coalition, and Pakistan military meet periodically to clarify the alignment of the boundary on the ground and on maps

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

significant transit area for Afghan drugs, including heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish, bound for Iran, Western markets, the Gulf States, Africa, and Asia

financial crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems

opium poppy cultivation estimated to be 2,300 hectares in 2007 with 600 of those hectares eradicated

federal and provincial authorities continue to conduct anti-poppy campaigns that utilizes forced eradication, fines, and arrests