Overview of Pakistan
Overview of Pakistan
Geographical location and area
Pakistan is located in the northwest of the South Asian subcontinent, bordering India to the east, China to the northeast, Afghanistan to the northwest, Iran to the west, and the Arabian Sea to the south. The coastline is 980 kilometers long. The land area is 796095 square kilometers (excluding the Pakistani controlled Kashmir region).
administrative division
Pakistan is divided into four provinces: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan; The Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Islamabad Federal Capital Territory, as well as Gilgit Baltistan and Free Kashmir. Each province has its own division, county, township, and village federation.
Population and ethnicity
Pakistan has a population of 240 million, with the main ethnic groups including Punjabi, Sindh, Pashtun, and Baloch. More than 95% of residents believe in Islam, and the national language is Urdu.
historical background
Pakistan was originally part of British India. On August 14, 1947, Britain implemented the partition of India and Pakistan, and Pakistan declared independence. On March 23, 1956, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was established.
Political system
Pakistan implements a parliamentary republic system, with the National Assembly and Senate forming a bicameral system. The current president is Asif Ali Zardari, and the prime minister is Shahbaz Sharif.
Economic situation
The economy of Pakistan is mainly based on agriculture, with agricultural output accounting for about 25% of the gross domestic product. Weak industrial foundation, high unemployment rate, and large wealth gap.
Cultural and tourist attractions
Pakistan has many famous cultural and historical sites, such as the Shah Faisal Mosque, Lahore Fort, and Rohidas Fortress. Mohenjo Darrow is a representative of the civilization of the Indus River basin and has been included in the The World Heritage List.
The economic profile of Pakistan can be described from the following aspects:
Overall economic situation
Pakistan's total economy grew by 0.29% in the 2022-23 fiscal year, with agriculture and services growing by 1.5% and 0.86% respectively, but industry shrinking by 3%. In 2023, Pakistan's GDP will be 338.368 billion US dollars, with a per capita GDP of 1407.02 US dollars. The economic structure of Pakistan is mainly based on agriculture, with agricultural added value accounting for 23.37% of GDP, industrial added value accounting for 20.76%, and manufacturing accounting for 13.58%.
Main industries
The main industries in Pakistan include agriculture, services, and manufacturing. Agriculture is the main pillar of the economy, with major crops including rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, and sugar. The service industry accounts for the largest proportion of GDP, reaching 58.28%, with tourism and service industries being important components. Although the manufacturing industry has a relatively low proportion, the textile industry is currently the main industry for most farmers to escape poverty and move to cities.
foreign direct investment
In the first quarter of the 2024-25 fiscal year, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan increased by 48%, mainly from China, accounting for 52% of the total FDI. This reflects an improvement in investors' confidence in Pakistan's economic prospects.
Geographical and climatic conditions
Pakistan has complex geographical conditions, with high mountain areas in the north, plateaus in the west, and deserts in the southeast. However, the Indus River plain provides abundant arable land resources, supporting Pakistan's agricultural development. Due to the dry climate, farmland relies on artificial irrigation, especially in Punjab province, which is Pakistan's main granary and produces the majority of wheat, cotton, and rice in the country.
energy problem
Pakistan's domestic energy supply is insufficient, and the problem of power shortage is prominent. In 2012, state-owned power companies were unable to pay private power generation operators, resulting in unstable power supply.
In summary, Pakistan's economy is mainly based on agriculture, followed by the service industry, and the industrial sector is relatively weak. Despite facing some challenges such as power shortages and terrorist attacks, the increase in foreign direct investment and economic cooperation with countries such as China are gradually improving their economic situation.
