)
Religions:
Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%
Languages:
Urdu (official), English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and
most government ministries, but official policies are promoting its gradual
replacement by Urdu), Punjabi 64%, Sindhi 12%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu 7%, Balochi
and other 9%
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
35%
male:
47%
female:
21%
Labor force:
28.9 million
by occupation:
agriculture 54%, mining and manufacturing 13%, services 33%, extensive
export of labor (1987 est.)

*Pakistan, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
conventional short form:
Pakistan
former:
West Pakistan
Digraph:
PK
Type:
republic
Capital:
Islamabad
Administrative divisions:
4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally, Administered
Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West, Frontier, Punjab, Sindh
note:
the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region
includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas
Independence:
14 August 1947 (from UK)
Constitution:
10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments, 30 December
1985
Legal system:
based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's
stature as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
National holiday:
Pakistan Day, 23 March (1956) (proclamation of the republic)
Political parties and leaders:
government:
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Mian Nawaz SHARIF; Jamhoori Watan
Party (JWP), Mohammad Akbar Khan BUGTI; Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI),
Fazl-ur-REHMAN and Sami-ul-HAQ; Awami National Party (ANP), Khan Abdul WALI
KHAN; Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan-Niazi, Maulana Abdul Sattar Khan NIAZI;
Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI
opposition:
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Benazir BHUTTO and Nusrat BHUTTO; Pakistan
Muslim League-Chattha (PML-C), Hamid Nasir CHATTHA; Jamaat-i-Islami (JI),
Qazi Hussain AHMED; National People's Party (NPP), Ghulam Mustapha JATOI
(formerly the PNP); Tehrik-i-Istiqlal (TI), Air Marshal (Ret.) Mohammad
ASGHAR KHAN; Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Fiqah-i-Jafaria (TNFJ), Agha Hamid Ali MUSAVI;
Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan-Noorani (JUP-Noorani), Maulana Shah Ahmed NOORANI;
Mohajir Quami Mahaz-Haqiqi (MQM-H),