Pakistan

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Geography

• Area: 494,671 square miles; slightly less than twice the size of California.
• Capital: Islamabad
• Climate: Mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north.
• Features: Pakistan controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent.

Current Environmental 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.

People

• Nationality: Pakistani
• Population: 187,342,721 (July 2011 est.)
• Urban Population: 36% of total population (2010)
• Ethnic groups: Punjabi 45%, Pashtun (Pathan) 15%, Sindhi 14%, Sariaki 8%, Muhajirs 8%, Balochi 4%, other 6%
• Religions: Sunni 75%, Shia 20%, other (includes Christian and Hindu) 5%
• Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (Official language) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official language of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski and other 8%
• Literacy rate (age 15 and up): 50% (Male: 63%/ Female: 36%) (2005)
• Infant mortality rate: 67/1,000 (2008)
• Life expectancy: 66 years (Males: 64 years/ Females: 68 years)
• HIV/AIDS: 98,000 people living with HIV/AIDS; ranking 43^rd in the world, approximately 0.05% of the total Pakistani population. (U.S.A is #10 with 1.2 million) (2009 est)

Government & Economy

• Independence: August 14, 1947 (from British India)
• Number of registered political parties: 21
• Flag Description: The vertical white band symbolizes the role of religious minorities; the crescent star and color green are tradition symbols of Islam.
• Natural resources: Natural gas, hydropower potential, coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone, wheat, cotton, rice, sugar cane, eggs, fruits, vegetables, milk, beef, mutton
• Average annual income per person: $2,500 (2010 est.)
• Unemployment Rate: 15%
• Population Below Poverty Line: 24% (2005-06)

Transnational Issues

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.

• Refugees (country of origin): 1,043,984 (Afghanistan)

Culture

Food: Unleavened flat bread called chapatti, lentils, spices and curry are an essential part of any Pakistani recipe. The most popular spices include: chili powder, turmeric, garlic, paprika, black and red pepper, cumin seed, bay leaf, coriander, cardamom, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, saffron, nutmeg, and poppy seeds among many others.

Muslims do not eat pork so beef, chicken, lamb and fish are the basic foods.  Yogurt is often used to marinate meats and the usual side dish is plain rice. Lentils are also a common specialty. Green tea is the typical drink served at all meals.

During the month of Ramadan, fasting is a daily activity. Fasting is an important part of the Muslim observance of Ramadan, but food does play a role on many other occasions. Food also plays a role in the celebration of the end of Ramadan fasting period. This starts with a special breakfast of sheer kharma (a sweet dish), which is vermicelli cooked in milk with dried dates, raisin, almonds, and other nuts.

Music: see  http://www.pakistanimusic.com/

Wikipedia on Toba Tek Singh (PeacePal program location): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toba_Tek_Singh_District