UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM,
UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNOMSIL, UNPREDEP, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Riaz Hussain KHOKHAR
chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador William MILAM
embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad
mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200
consulate(s) general: Karachi
consulate(s): Lahore, Peshawar

Flag description: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing
the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white
crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent,
star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

Economy

Economy--overview: Pakistan continues to suffer through a damaging
foreign exchange crisis--stemming from years of loose fiscal policies
that have exacerbated inflation and allowed public debt to explode.
After accruing more than $1.5 billion in debt arrears in the first
six months of FY98/99, Pakistani officials approached multilateral
creditors requesting balance-of-payments relief and structural
support. In January 1999, Islamabad received more than $1 billion in
loans along with $3 billion in debt relief following the Finance
Minister DAR's pledge to implement an economic reform program to
reduce the budget deficit, deepen the financial sector, and broaden
the industrial base. Although the economy has shown signs of
improvement following implementation of some corrective measures,
Prime Minister SHARIF--historically--has failed to implement the tough
structural reforms necessary for sustained, longer-term growth. The
government must also cope with long-standing economic
vulnerabilities--inadequate infrastructure and low levels of literacy.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$270 billion (1998 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: 5% (1998 est.)

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,000 (1998 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 24.2%
industry: 26.4%
services: 49.4% (1997)

Population below poverty line: 34% (1991 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.4%
highest 10%: 25.2% (1991)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.8% (FY97/98)

Labor force