Pakistan - Society

Population: 166,961,000 (2008); density varies from 230 people per sq km in Punjab to 13 in Balochistan; 36% lives in urban areas and 18% in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million people; growth 2.9% p.a. 1970–90 and 2.2% p.a. 1990–2006; birth rate (2006) 27 per 1,000 people (44 in 1970); life expectancy 65 years (48 in 1970). The population comprises mostly Punjabis, Sindhis, Baloch and Pathans, plus small tribal groups in the more remote northern areas.

Religion: Muslims 97%, the majority of whom are Sunni, with a minority (of about 20%) of Shia. There are small communities of Hindus, Christians, Qadianis and a few Parsis (Zoroastrians).

Language: The official language is Urdu, but English is widely used. Regional languages are Sindhi, Baluchi, Punjabi and Pashtu. There are numerous local dialects.

Media: Pakistan Television Corporation Ltd is the state-run TV broadcaster and operates PTV 1, PTV 2, Channel 3 and PTV World. There are no private terrestrial channels. International satellite TV channels are available via a dish or cable TV. Radio Pakistan is state run and operates more than 20 stations nationwide. FM 100 is a commercial, music-based network.

The first Urdu journal appeared in 1836. In 1991 there were 2,204 newspapers and periodicals, including 271 dailies and 508 weeklies. The main newspapers in Urdu are Jang (Karachi), Nawa-e-Waqt, Ausaf, Sahafat, Din, Khabrain, Pakistan, Asas and Al-Akhbar. Leading English-language papers are Dawn (Karachi), Daily Times, The Nation and The News (Lahore), and The Frontier Post (Peshawar/Quetta). The principal news magazines are Akhbar-e-Jehan, Herald, MAG, Newsline and Takbeer (Karachi), Pakistan and Gulf Economist and Pulse (Islamabad), The Friday Times and Zindagi (Lahore).

There are 82 TV sets (2003), four personal computers (2004) and 107 internet users (2007) per 1,000 people.

Education: Public spending on education was 2.6% of GDP in 2006. There are five years of compulsory education starting at age five. The primary net enrolment ratio is 66% and the ratio at secondary level is 30% (2006). The pupil–teacher ratio for primary is 39:1 (2006). The school year starts in April.

About 4.5% of the relevant age group is enrolled in tertiary education (2006). There are 25 universities, seven in the private sector. The most recent university to open was Fatima Jinnah Women’s University, Rawalpindi. Illiteracy among people age 15–24 is 30% (2006). There is an extensive literacy programme.

Health: The main teaching hospitals are in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta. The network of medical services includes hospitals, dispensaries, rural health centres and basic health units. Family planning services are given at family welfare centres. 90% of the population uses an improved drinking water source and 58% have access to adequate sanitation facilities (2006). Malaria remains a serious problem. Infant mortality was 78 per 1,000 live births in 2006 (139 in 1960).

Communications: Country code 92. Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies, but coverage is largely limited to main cities. Internet cafes can be found in most urban areas. The post office offers a 24-hour service in many of the larger cities.

There are 30 main telephone lines and 481 mobile phone subscriptions per 1,000 people (2007).

Public holidays: Pakistan Revolution Day (23 March), Independence Day (14 August), Defence Day (6 September), Allama Mohammad Iqbal Day (9 November) and Birthday of Quaid-i-Azam (25 December).

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Ashura, Prophet’s Birthday, Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Christian holidays are taken by the Christian community only.