Pakistan
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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) |
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Economy
Major Industries: Cotton yarn and thread, raw cotton, cotton fabrics, rice (EIU data)
Major Trading Partners: USA, Japan, Germany, UK, Italy
Major Foreign Investors: USA, UK, Switzerland, UAE and Norway
Exchange rate (on 26 January 2011): £1 = 135.68 PKR (Pakistan Rupee) US$1 = 85.88
Inflation: (July 2009-June 2010): 13.3%
| GDP |
$210.8 billion (nominal)(2011)
$534 billion (GDP-PPP) (2011) |
| GDP growth |
2.4% (2011) |
| GDP per capita |
$2,791 (PPP) (2010) |
| GDP by sector |
agriculture: 21.2%, industry: 25.4%, services: 53.4% (2010 est.) |
| Inflation (CPI) |
16.17% (2009–2010) |
Population
below poverty line |
24% (2010) |
| Labour force |
55.77 million (2010 est.) |
Labour force
by occupation |
agriculture: 43%, industry: 20.3%, services: 36.6% (2005 est.) |
| Unemployment |
6.2% (2011 est.) |
| Main industries |
textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp |
| Ease of Doing Business Rank |
105th (2012) |
| External |
| Exports |
$25 billion (2011 est. |
| Export goods |
textiles (garments, bed linen, cotton cloth, yarn), rice, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, carpets and rugs |
| Main export partners |
US 15.8%, UAE 7.9%, China 7.3%, UK 4.3%, Germany 4.2% (2010) |
| Imports |
$41 billion (2011 est.) |
| Import goods |
petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportation equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea |
| Main import partners |
China 17.9%, Saudi Arabia 10.7%, UAE 10.6%, Kuwait 5.5%, US 4.9%, Malaysia 4.8% (2010) |
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Trade and Investment
The Commercial Section of the Consulate General of Pakistan at Vancouver is responsible for promotion and facilitation of trade between Pakistan and Western Canada. Investments into Pakistan from Western Canada also fall in its mandate. The areas of jurisdiction of this section are provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Saskatchewan.
The Commercial Section is the representative office of Ministry of Commerce and works in close coordination with the Trade Development Authority, Board of Investment, Chambers and Associations in Pakistan. This Commercial Section also offers the following services:
- Matchmaking services for intending importers/ investors
- Providing up-to-date trade, investment and tariff policies of Pakistan
- Collecting trade data and market intelligence for submission to Government of Pakistan
- Facilitating and establishing Pakistan pavilion in exhibitions and Trade Fairs and facilitating delegations from Pakistan to extend their business pursuits in Western Canada
- Providing the required assistance to businessmen in Western Canada to invest in/ trade with Pakistan and visit the desired exhibitions
- Responding to trade inquiries from businesses in Western Canada and Pakistan
- Establishing relationships with trade bodies and government agencies in Pakistan and Western Canada
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Travel & Tourism
A journey throughout Pakistan introduces you with a mesmerizing land that has conserved the spirit of its conquerors in the form of present day monuments and archaeological legacy. The wonderful excavated sites at Mohenjodaro and Taxila, the architectural monuments of the Moghuls, the Khyber Pass or the ancient unchanging traditions of the Kafir Kalash of the Chitral Valley, which are not to be missed on your Pakistan travel. Also experience the exciting exploratory tour to Pakistan in the form of climbing on the snowcapped Karakoram ranges, horse safari, ski down pristine slopes and lots more. Pakistan also houses modern city of Islamabad and the busy cities of Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar, which are full of interesting sights that will fill you with wonder on your tour to Pakistan. The Prime magnetisms of Pakistan tourism are Marakan Coastline, Silk Road, K2 Mountain Range & The Eye-Catching Glaciers.
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