Keenjhar Lake Resort Project - Sindh Board Of Investment ...

5 Pakistan – Profile and Overview
5.1 Country Profile
5.1.1 Overview
Pakistan is the 6 th largest country of the world with a population estimated at 180 million
according to the Population Census of Pakistan – September 2009. It lies between 23°35’ to
37°05’ north latitude and 60°50’ to 77°50’ east longitude, touching the Hindu Kush Mountains
in the north and extending to the Arabian Sea. Pakistan is bounded by Iran in the west,
Afghanistan in the north-west, India in the east and south-east with Arabian Sea in the south.
It shares a common border with China alongside Gilgit and Baltistan in the northern part. It
covers 796,096 sq kms and is divided into four provinces namely: Sindh, Punjab, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa (KP) [formerly known as North West Frontier Province (NWFP)] and
Baluchistan.
Climatically, Pakistan enjoys a
considerable measure of variety where its
north and north western areas are
extremely cold in the winter while the
summer months, from April to September,
are pleasant. The coastal strip in the south
normally has a moderate climate. The
Indus Valley plains are extremely hot in
the summer with cold and dry weather
during the winters. Monsoonal rains fall
late during the summers. Due to the
rainfall and high diurnal range of
temperatures, humidity is comparatively
low.
The country has an agricultural economy
with a network of canals irrigating a major
part of its cultivated land producing major
crops such as wheat, cotton, rice, millet
and sugar cane.. The main natural
resources comprise natural gas, salt, coal
and iron whereas cotton, textiles, sugar,
cement and chemicals also tender an
important role in the economy of Pakistan.
Pakistan is an Islamic country where 97% of the population is Muslim and the remaining 3%
comprise Christians, Hindus, Zoroastrians and others.
English is the official language while Urdu, used as a medium of understanding throughout
the country, is the national language. According to the Summer Institute of Linguistics, a total
of 72 languages are spoken all over Pakistan.
5.1.2 Demographics
► Population Reference Bureau, figures for mid 2009 classify Pakistan as the sixth most
populous country in the world. Population grew during 1972 to 2009 at a compounded
annual growth rate (“the CAGR”) of 2.3%. The country’s population is estimated to double
by the year 2045 if it grows at 1.8% per annum.
► The population density has increased to 209 persons per sq. km. in 2009, from 42.5
persons per sq km in 1951 which is almost a fivefold increase. A large percentage of the
urban population of Pakistan is centred in three major urban agglomerations: Karachi,
Lahore and Faisalabad.
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Keenjhar Lake Resort Project - Project Information Memorandum