Geography and climate

Main articles: Geography of Pakistan and Climate of Pakistan

See also: Geology of Pakistan and Extreme points of Pakistan

K2 in Gilgit–Baltistan is the second-highest mountain on Earth, with a peak elevation of 8,611 metres (28,251 ft). It is part of the Karakoram range.

Neelam Valley in Azad Kashmir.

A lake view in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Jeep rally at the Cholistan Desert.

Pakistan covers an area of 796,095 km² (307,374 sq mi), approximately equal to the combined land areas of France and the United Kingdom. It is the 36th largest nation by total area, although this ranking varies depending on how the disputed territory of Kashmir is counted. Pakistan has a 1,046 km (650 mi) coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south^[136] and land borders of 6,774 km (4,209 mi) in total: 2,430 km (1,510 mi) with Afghanistan, 523 km (325 mi) with China, 2,912 km (1,809 mi) with India and 909 km (565 mi) with Iran.^[74] It shares a marine border with Oman,^[137] and is separated from Tajikistan by the cold, narrow Wakhan Corridor.^[138] Pakistan occupies a geopolitically important location at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia.^[139]
Geologically, Pakistan overlaps the Indian tectonic plate in its Sindh and Punjab provinces; Balochistan and most of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are within the Eurasian plate, mainly on the Iranian plateau. Gilgit–Baltistan and Azad Kashmir lie along the edge of the Indian plate and hence are prone to violent earthquakes. Ranging from the coastal areas of the south to the glaciated mountains of the north, Pakistan's landscapes vary from plains to deserts, forests, hills and plateaus .^[140]
Pakistan is divided into three major geographic areas: the northern highlands, the Indus River plain and the Balochistan Plateau.^[141] The northern highlands contain the Karakoram, Hindu Kush and Pamir mountain ranges (see mountains of Pakistan), which contain some of the world's highest peaks, including five of the fourteen eight-thousanders (mountain peaks over 8,000 metres or 26,250 feet), which attract adventurers and mountaineers from all over the world, notably K2 (8,611 m or 28,251 ft) and Nanga Parbat (8,126 m or 26,660 ft).^[142] The Balochistan Plateau lies in the west and the Thar Desert in the east. The 1,609 km (1,000 mi) Indus River and its tributaries flow through the country from the Kashmir region to the Arabian Sea. There is an expanse of alluvial plains along it in Punjab and Sindh.^[143]
The climate varies from tropical to temperate, with arid conditions in the coastal south. There is a monsoon season with frequent flooding due to heavy rainfall, and a dry season with significantly less rainfall or none at all. There are four distinct seasons: a cool, dry winter from December through February; a hot, dry spring from March through May; the summer rainy season, or southwest monsoon period, from June through September; and the retreating monsoon period of October and November.^[35] Rainfall varies greatly from year to year, and patterns of alternate flooding and drought are common.^[144]

Flora and fauna

Main articles: Flora of Pakistan and Fauna of Pakistan

Cedrus deodara, Pakistan's national tree^[145]

Jasminum officinale, Pakistan’s national flower^[146]

The diversity of landscapes and climates in Pakistan allows a wide variety of trees and plants to flourish. The forests range from coniferous alpine and subalpine trees such as spruce, pine and deodar cedar in the extreme northern mountains, through deciduous trees in most of the country (for example the mulberry-like shisham found in the Sulaiman Mountains), to palms such as coconut and date in southern Punjab, southern Balochistan and all of Sindh. The western hills are home to juniper, tamarisk, coarse grasses and scrub plants. Mangrove forests form much of the coastal wetlands along the coast in the south.^[147]
Coniferous forests are found at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 metres in most of the northern and northwestern highlands. In the xeric regions of Balochistan, date palm and Ephedra are common. In most of Punjab and Sindh, the Indus plains support tropical and subtropical dry and moist broadleaf forestry as well as tropical and xeric shrublands. These forests are mostly of mulberry, acacia, and eucalyptus.^[148] About 2.2% or 1,687,000 hectares (16,870 km²) of Pakistan was forested in 2010.^[149]
The fauna of Pakistan reflects its varied climates too. Around 668 bird species are found there:^[150][151] crows, sparrows, mynas, hawks, falcons and eagles commonly occur. Palas, Kohistan, has a significant population of Western Tragopan.^[152] Many birds sighted in Pakistan are migratory, coming from Europe, Central Asia and India.^[153]

Markhor, Pakistan's national animal^[145]

Alectoris chukar, Pakistan’s national bird^[146]

The southern plains are home to mongooses, civets, hares, the Asiatic jackal, the Indian pangolin, the jungle cat and the desert cat. There are mugger crocodiles in the Indus, and wild boar, deer, porcupines and small rodents are common in the surrounding areas. The sandy scrublands of central Pakistan are home to Asiatic jackals, striped hyenas, wildcats and leopards.^[154][155] The lack of vegetative cover, the severe climate and the impact of grazing on the deserts have left wild animals in a precarious position. The chinkara is the only animal that can still be found in significant numbers in Cholistan. A small number of nilgai are found along the Pakistan-India border and in some parts of Cholistan.^[154][156] A wide variety of animals live in the mountainous north, including the Marco Polo sheep, the urial (a subspecies of wild sheep), Markhor and Ibex goats, the Asian black bear and the Himalayan brown bear.^{[154][157][158]} Among the rare animals found in the area are the snow leopard,^[157] the Asiatic cheetah^[159] and the blind Indus river dolphin, of which there are believed to be about 1,100 remaining, protected at the Indus River Dolphin Reserve in Sindh.^[157][160] In total, 174 mammals, 177 reptiles, 22 amphibians, 198 freshwater fish species and 5,000 species of invertebrates (including insects) have been recorded in Pakistan.^[150][151]
The flora and fauna of Pakistan suffer from a number of problems. Pakistan has the second-highest rate of deforestation in the world. This, along with hunting and pollution, is causing adverse effects on the ecosystem. The government has established a large number of protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, and game reserves to deal with these issues.^[150][151]

Infrastructure

Economy

Main article: Economy of Pakistan

See also: Textile industry in Pakistan and Agriculture in Pakistan

View of Karachi downtown, the city accounts for approximately $80 billion of annual GDP.

Habib Bank Plaza.

Mango trees in Multan, agriculture in Pakistan accounts for 21.2% of GDP and employs about 43% of the labor force.

Pakistan is a rapidly developing country^{[161][162][163]} and is one of the Next Eleven, the eleven countries that, along with the BRICs, have a high potential to become the world's largest economies in the 21st century.^[164] However, after decades of war and social instability, as of 2013, serious deficiencies in basic services such as railway transportation and electric power generation had developed.^[165] The economy is semi-industrialized, with centres of growth along the Indus River.^{[166][167][168]} The diversified economies of Karachi and Punjab's urban centres coexist with less developed areas in other parts of the country.^[167] Pakistan's estimated nominal GDP as of 2011 is US$202 billion. The GDP by PPP is US$488.6 billion. The estimated nominal per capita GDP is US$1,197, GDP (PPP) per capita is US$2,851 (international dollars), and debt-to-GDP ratio is 55.5%.^[169][170] A 2010 report by RAD-AID positioned Pakistan's economy at 27th largest in the world by purchasing power and 45th largest in absolute dollars.^[168] It is South Asia's second largest economy, representing about 15 percent of regional GDP.^[171][172]
Pakistan's economic growth since its inception has been varied. It has been slow during periods of civilian rule, but excellent during the three periods of military rule, although the foundation for sustainable and equitable growth was not formed.^[46] The early to middle 2000s was a period of rapid reform; the government raised development spending, which reduced poverty levels by 10% and increased GDP by 3%.^[74][173] The economy cooled again from 2007.^[74] Inflation reached 25% in 2008^[174] and Pakistan had to depend on an aggressive fiscal policy backed by the International Monetary Fund to avoid possible bankruptcy.^[175][176] A year later, the Asian Development Bank reported that Pakistan's economic crisis was easing.^[177] The inflation rate for the fiscal year 2010–11 was 14.1%.^[178]
Pakistan is one of the largest producers of natural commodities, and its labour market is the 10th largest in the world. The 7 million strong Pakistani diaspora, contributed US$11.2 billion to the economy in FY2011.^[179] The major source countries of remittances to Pakistan include UAE, USA, Saudi Arabia, GCC countries (including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman), Australia, Canada, Japan, UK and EU countries like Norway, Switzerland, etc. .^[180][181] According to the World Trade Organization Pakistan's share of overall world exports is declining; it contributed only 0.128% in 2007.^[182] The trade deficit in the fiscal year 2010–11 was US$11.217 billion.^[183]
The structure of the Pakistani economy has changed from a mainly agricultural to a strong service base. Agriculture now^[when?] accounts for only 21.2% of the GDP. Even so, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Pakistan produced 21,591,400 metric tons of wheat in 2005, more than all of Africa (20,304,585 metric tons) and nearly as much as all of South America (24,557,784 metric tons).^[184] Between 2002 and 2007 there was substantial foreign investment in Pakistan's banking and energy sectors.^[185] Other important industries include clothing and textiles (accounting for nearly 60% of exports), food processing, chemicals manufacture, iron and steel.^[186] There is great potential for tourism in Pakistan, but it is severely affected by the country's instability.^[187] Pakistan's cement is also fast growing mainly because of demand from Afghanistan and countries boosting real estate sector, In 2013 Pakistan exported 7,708,557 metric tons of cement.^[188] Pakistan has installed capitcty of 44,768,250 metric tons of cement and 42,636,428 metric tons of clinker. In the 2012-2013 cement industry in Pakistan became the most profitable sector of economy.^[189]

Shown here is the Sunday textile market, Pakistan is the 4th largest producer of cotton with the third largest spinning capacity in Asia.^[190]

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan soared by 180.6 per cent year-on-year to US$2.22 billion and portfolio investment by 276 per cent to $407.4 million during the first nine months of fiscal year 2006, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported on April 24. During July–March 2005–06, FDI year-on-year increased to $2.224 billion from only $792.6 million and portfolio investment to $407.4 million, whereas it was $108.1 million in the corresponding period last year, according to the latest statistics released by the State Bank.^[191] Pakistan has achieved FDI of almost $8.4 billion in the financial year 06/07, surpassing the government target of $4 billion.^[192] Foreign investment had significantly declined by 2010, dropping by 54.6% due to Pakistan's political instability and weak law and order, according to the Bank of Pakistan.^[193]
The textile sector enjoys a pivotal position in the exports of Pakistan. Pakistan is the 8th largest exporter of textile products in Asia. This sector contributes 9.5% to the GDP and provides employment to about 15 million people or roughly 30% of the 49 million workforce of the country. Pakistan is the 4th largest producer of cotton with the third largest spinning capacity in Asia after China and India, and contributes 5% to the global spinning capacity. China is the second largest buyer of Pakistani textiles, importing $1.527 billion of textiles last fiscal. Unlike US where mostly value added textiles are imported, China buys only cotton yarn and cotton fabric from Pakistan. In 2012 Pakistani textile products accounted for 3.3% or $1.07b of total UK’s textile imports, 12.4% or $4.61b of total Chinese textile imports, 2.98% or $2.98b of total US’s textile imports, 1.6% or $0.88b of total German textile imports and 0.7% or $0.888b of total Indian textile imports.^[194]
Pakistani competitive yet highly profitable banking sector is continuously improving with diversified pattern of ownership due to an active participation of foreign and local stakeholder. It resulted into an increased competition among banks to attract a greater number of customers by the provision of quality services for long-term benefits. Now there are 6 full-fledged Islamic banks and 13 conventional banks offering products and services.Islamic banking and finance in Pakistan has experienced phenomenal growth. Islamic deposits – held by fully-fledged Islamic banks and Islamic windows of conventional banks at present stand at 9.7% of total bank deposits in the country.^[195]

Nuclear Power

First nuclear test performed by Pakistan on 28 May 1998 known as the Project-706.

As of 2012, Nuclear power in Pakistan is provided by 3 licensed-commercial nuclear power plants.^[196] Pakistan is the first Muslim country in the world to construct and operate civil nuclear power plants.^[197] The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), the scientific and nuclear governmental agency, is solely responsible for operating these power plants.^[198] As of 2012, the electricity generated by commercial nuclear power plants constitutes roughly ~3.6% of electricity generated in Pakistan, compared to ~62% from fossil fuel, ~33% from hydroelectric power and ~0.3% from Coal electricity.^[199][200] Pakistan is one of the four nuclear armed states (along with India, Israel, and North Korea) that is not a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty but is a member in good standing of the International Atomic Energy Agency.^{[201][202][203]}
The People's Republic of China has been a strong vocal and avid supporter of Pakistan's nuclear power generation programme from the early on. In 2005, both Pakistan government and the Chinese government adopted an Energy Security Plan, calling for a huge increase in generating capacity to more than 160,000 MWe by 2030. Pakistan Government plans for lifting nuclear capacity to 8800 MWe, 900 MWe of it by 2015 and a further 1500 MWe by 2020.^[204] In June 2008, the Pakistani Government announced plans to build commercial nuclear power plants III and IV commercial nuclear power plants at Chashma, Punjab Province, each with 320–340 MWe and costing PKR 129 billion, 80 billion of this from international sources, principally China. A further agreement for China's help with the project was signed in October 2008, and given prominence as a counter to the US–India agreement shortly preceding it. Cost quoted then was US$ 1.7 billion, with a foreign loan component of $1.07 billion.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Pakistan

Build in 1798 Faiz Mahal Palace in Khairpur District.

Build in 26th century BC Mohenjo-daro is one of the world's earliest major urban settlements, it is also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Writing for the Lonely Planet company, the authors of the 2008 Pakistan & the Karakoram Highway guidebook referred to Pakistan as the tourism industry's "next big thing" due to its grand and diverse features. The authors further explain that "world media headlines" prevent the nation from becoming a considerable force in global tourism.^[187] Pakistan, with its diverse cultures, people and landscapes attracted 1 million tourists in 2012.^[205] Pakistan's tourism industry was in its heyday during the 1970s when the country received unprecedented amounts of foreign tourists, thanks to the Hippie trail. The main destinations of choice for these tourists were the Khyber Pass, Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, Swat and Rawalpindi.^[206]
The country's attraction range from the ruin of civilisation such as Mohenjo-daro, Harappa and Taxila, to the Himalayan hill stations, which attract those interested in winter sports. Pakistan is home to several mountain peaks over 7000 m, which attracts adventurers and mountaineers from around the world, especially K2.^[142] The north part of Pakistan has many old fortresses, ancient architecture and the Hunza and Chitral valley, home to small pre-Islamic Animist Kalasha community claiming descent from Alexander the Great. The romance of the historic Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is timeless and legendary, Punjab province has the site of Alexander's battle on the Jhelum River and the historic city Lahore, Pakistan's cultural capital, with many examples of Mughal architecture such as Badshahi Masjid, Shalimar Gardens, Tomb of Jahangir and the Lahore Fort. Before the Global economic crisis Pakistan received more than 500,000 tourists annually.^[207] However, this number has now come down to near zero figures since 2008 due to instability in the country and many countries declaring Pakistan as unsafe and dangerous to visit.
In October 2006, just one year after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, The Guardian released what it described as "The top five tourist sites in Pakistan" in order to help the country's tourism industry.^[208] The five sites included Taxila, Lahore, The Karakoram Highway, Karimabad and Lake Saiful Muluk. To promote Pakistan's unique and various cultural heritage, the Prime Minister launched the "Visit Pakistan" marketing campaign in 2007.^[209] This campaign involved various events throughout the year including fairs and religious festivals, regional sporting events, various arts and craft shows, folk festivals and several openings of historical museums.^[210] In 2009, The World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report ranked Pakistan as one of the top 25% tourist destinations for its World Heritage sites. Ranging from mangroves in the South, to the 5,000-year-old cities of the Indus Valley Civilization which included Mohenjo-daro and Harappa.^[211]

Transport

Main article: Transport in Pakistan

Lahore Metro Bus System is country's first bus rapid transit, there are two more planned for Karachi and Islamabad.

Jinnah International Airport in Karachi handles 12 million passengers annually.

Pakistan Motorways were the first high-speed controlled-access highways in south asia.

The transport sector accounts for 10.5% of Pakistan's GDP.^[212] Its road infrastructure is better than those of India, Bangladesh and Indonesia, but the rail system lags behind those of India and China, and aviation infrastructure also needs improvement.^[213] There is scarcely any inland water transportation system, and coastal shipping only meets minor local requirements.^[214]
Roads form the backbone of Pakistan's transport system; a total road length of 259,618 km accounts for 91% of passenger and 96% of freight traffic. Road transport services are largely in the hands of the private sector, which handles around 95% of freight traffic. The National Highway Authority is responsible for the maintenance of national highways and motorways. The highway and motorway system depends mainly on north–south links, connecting the southern ports to the populous provinces of Punjab and NWFP. Although this network only accounts for 4.2% of total road length, it carries 85 percent of the country's traffic.^[215][216]
Pakistan Railways, under the Ministry of Railways, operates the railroad system. Rail was the primary means of transport till 1970. In the two decades from around 1990, there was a marked shift in traffic from rail to highways. Now the railway's share of inland traffic is only 10% for passengers and 4% for freight traffic. The total rail track decreased from 8,775 km in 1990–91 to 7,791 km in 2011.^[215][217] Pakistan expects to use the rail service to boost foreign trade with China, Iran and Turkey.^[218][219]
Pakistan had 35 airports in 2007–8. The state-run Pakistan International Airlines is the major airline; it carries about 73% of domestic passengers and all domestic freight. Karachi's Jinnah International Airport is the principal international gateway to Pakistan, although Islamabad and Lahore also handle significant amounts of traffic. Pakistan's major seaports are Karachi, Muhammad bin Qasim and Gwadar, which is still^[when?] under construction.^[215][217]

Science and technology

Main articles: Science and technology in Pakistan and List of Pakistani inventions and discoveries

Jhimpir Wind Power Plant.

Abdus Salam's contribution to the development of the Standard Model. Steven Weinberg and Abdus Salam incorporated the Higgs mechanism into Glashow's electroweak theory, giving it its modern form.

Pakistan is active in physics and mathematics research. Every year, scientists from around the world are invited by the Pakistan Academy of Sciences and the Pakistan Government to participate in the International Nathiagali Summer College on Physics.^[220] Pakistan hosted an international seminar on Physics in Developing Countries for International Year of Physics 2005.^[221] Pakistani theoretical physicist Abdus Salam won a Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the electroweak interaction.^[222]
In medicine, Salimuzzaman Siddiqui was the first Pakistani scientist to bring the therapeutic constituents of the Neem tree to the attention of natural products chemists.^{[223][224][225]} Pakistani neurosurgeon Ayub Ommaya invented the Ommaya reservoir, a system for treatment of brain tumours and other brain conditions.^[226]
Pakistan has an active space program led by its space research agency, SUPARCO. Polish-Pakistani aerospace engineer W. J. M. Turowicz developed and supervised the launch of the Rehbar-I rocket from Pakistani soil, making Pakistan the first South Asian country to launch a rocket into space.^[227] Pakistan launched its first satellite, Badr-I, from China in 1990, becoming the first Muslim country and second South Asian country to put a satellite into space.^[228] In 1998, Pakistan became the seventh country in the world to successfully develop its own nuclear weapons.^[229]
Pakistan is one of a small number of countries that have an active research presence in Antarctica. The Pakistan Antarctic Programme was established in 1991. Pakistan has two summer research stations on the continent and plans to open another base, which will operate all year round.^[230] Electricity in Pakistan is generated and distributed by two vertically integrated public sector utilities: the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) for Karachi and the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) for the rest of Pakistan.^[231] Nuclear power in Pakistan is provided by three licensed commercial nuclear power plants under Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC).^[232] Pakistan is the first Muslim country in the world to embark on a nuclear power program.^[233] Commercial nuclear power plants generate roughly 3% of Pakistan's electricity, compared with about 64% from thermal and 33% from hydroelectric power.^[231]

Education

Main article: Education in Pakistan

Est. 1864 Government College University, Lahore is one of Pakistan's most prestigious universities.

University of the Punjab was the fourth university to be established by the British Raj in the South Asia.

Islamia College University was founded in October of 1913.

The constitution of Pakistan requires the state to provide free primary and secondary education.^[234] At the time of independence Pakistan had only one university, the University of the Punjab.^[235] As of September 2011 it has 136 universities, of which 74 are public universities and 62 are private universities.^[236] It is estimated that there are 3193 technical and vocational institutions in Pakistan,^[237] and there are also madrassahs that provide free Islamic education and offer free board and lodging to students, who come mainly from the poorer strata of society.^[238] After criticism over terrorists' use of madrassahs for recruitment, efforts have been made to regulate them.^[239]
Education in Pakistan is divided into six main levels: pre-primary (preparatory classes); primary (grades one through five); middle (grades six through eight); high (grades nine and ten, leading to the Secondary School Certificate); intermediate (grades eleven and twelve, leading to a Higher Secondary (School) Certificate); and university programmes leading to graduate and postgraduate degrees.^[237] Pakistani private schools also operate a parallel secondary education system based on the curriculum set and administered by the Cambridge International Examinations. Some students choose to take the O level and A level exams conducted by the British Council.^[240]
The government is in a development stage^[timeframe?], in which it is extending English medium education to all schools across the country.^[241] Meanwhile, by 2013 all educational institutions in Sindh will have to provide Chinese language courses, reflecting China's growing role as a superpower and Pakistan's close ties with China.^[242] The literacy rate of the population above ten years of age in the country is 58.5%. Male literacy is 70.2% while female literacy rate is 46.3%.^[178] Literacy rates vary by region and particularly by sex; for instance, female literacy in tribal areas is 3%.^[243] The government launched a nationwide initiative in 1998 with the aim of eradicating illiteracy and providing a basic education to all children.^[244] Through various educational reforms, by 2015 the ministry of education expects to attain 100% enrolment levels among children of primary school age and a literacy rate of 86% among people aged over 10.^[245]

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Pakistan and Pakistani people

See also: Ethnic groups in Pakistan and Religion in Pakistan

Population density

The Kalash people of northern Pakistan are unique in their customs and religion.

With 180.1 million residents reported in 2012, Pakistan is the sixth most populated country in the world, behind Brazil and ahead of Bangladesh. Its 2.03% population growth rate is the highest among the SAARC countries and gives an annual increase of 3.6 million. The population is projected to reach 210.13 million by 2020 and to double by 2045. In 1947, Pakistan had a population of 32.5 million.^[181][246] From 1990 to 2009 it increased by 57.2%.^[247] By 2030 it is expected to surpass Indonesia as the largest Muslim-majority country in the world.^[248][249] Pakistan is a 'young' nation, with a median age of about 22 and 104 million people under 30 in 2010. Pakistan's fertility rate stands at 3.07, higher than its neighbours India(2.57) and Iran(1.73). Around 35% of the people are under 15^[181]
The majority of southern Pakistan's population lives along the Indus River. Karachi is its most populous city.^[250] In the northern half of the country, most of the population lives in an arc formed by the cities of Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Jhelum, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Nowshera, Mardan and Peshawar. During 1990–2008, city dwellers made up 36% of Pakistan's population, making it the most urbanised nation in South Asia.^[74][181] Furthermore, 50% of Pakistanis live in towns of 5,000 people or more.^[251]
Expenditure on health was 2.6% of GDP in 2009.^[252] Life expectancy at birth was 65.4 years for females and 63.6 years for males in 2010. The private sector accounts for about 80% of outpatient visits. Approximately 19% of the population and 30% of children under five are malnourished.^[168] Mortality of the under-fives was 87 per 1,000 live births in 2009.^[252] About 20% of the population live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.^[253]
More than sixty languages are spoken in Pakistan, including a number of provincial languages. Urdu, the lingua franca and a symbol of Muslim identity and national unity, is the national language and is understood by over 75% of Pakistanis.^[139][254] English is the official language of Pakistan, used in official business, government, and legal contracts;^[74] the local dialect is known as Pakistani English. Punjabi is the most common native language in Punjab and has many native speakers. Saraiki is mainly spoken in South Punjab. Pashto is the provincial language of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindhi is the provincial language of Sindh, and Balochi is dominant in Balochistan.^[4][35][255]
Pakistan's census does not include immigrant groups such as the 1.7 million registered refugees from neighbouring Afghanistan, who are found mainly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA areas, with small numbers in Karachi and Quetta.^[256][257] As of 1995, there were more than 1.6 million Bengalis, 650,000 Afghans, 200,000 Burmese, 2,320 Iranians and Filipinos and hundreds of Nepalese, Sri Lankans and Indians living in Karachi.^[258][259] Pakistan hosts more refugees than any other country in the world.^[260]
The population comprises several ethnic groups. As of 2009, the Punjabi population dominates with 78.7 million (44.15%), followed by 27.2 million (15.42%) Pashtuns, 24.8 million (14.1%) Sindhis, 14.8 million (10.53%) Seraikis, 13.3 million (7.57%) Muhajirs and 6.3 million (3.57%) Balochs. The remaining 11.1 million (4.66%) belong to various ethnic minorities.^[261] There is also a large worldwide Pakistani diaspora, numbering over seven million.