About the size of Ohio and Texas combined, Pakistan has an area of 804,000 kms. It has a population of 120 million. It is located in South Asia, neighbouring India, China, Afghanistan and Iran. Though mostly agrarian, it has well-developed industries in the field of cotton, sugar, cement and light engineering. Main imports are machinery, oil and chemicals. Exports are cotton yarn, fabrics, rice and carpet.

Running through the country are five mighty rivers. Eventually, they all join and enter the sea forming a gigantic delta. The upper reaches of these rivers are in Kashmir, which is an apple of discord between India and Pakistan. Were it not for these rivers whose water is used to irrigate the land, Pakistan would be a vast desert. But as a result of the largest system of irrigation canal in the world, Pakistan has become one of richest wheat and cotton-growing areas in the whole of Asia.

The North Pakistan can be called as the "California of Asia" because it is in the same latitude, enjoys a similar climate, and produces a large variety of fruit. Its peaches are famous and grapes are so plentiful that in the season they sell very cheaply. Just as in California, one can see snow-clapped peaks, deserts, and orange groves all the same time.

Southeastern area is a rugged land of barren, sunburned mountains, deserts and stony plains. Rolling sand dunes run in almost uniform direction alternating with hallows of fairly good soil. There are many intermitted green ribboned valleys, which produce rich crops and many kind of delicious fruit. A vast area is hot and scarcely populated by nomads. They chase short-lived greenery followed by odd showers of rain. They are tough due to rough geo-physical conditions. Isolated in their inhospitable land, they cling desperately to a tribal way of life. One could see their tents and huts. They look like big beetles in the oases. These are made of twigs, grass, reed or straw. They graze cattles, goats, sheep, camels, donkey and horses.

There some historic cities like Multan. Great Saints and Sufis had lived there. No where else, there is such a cluster of shrines and tombs. The domes are visible miles away. They are decorated with glazed tiles. They bring hallucinatory effects to the passerby. The city abounds in mystic preachers and poets. Love for God is brought near via sublime words and versus. A good singer can hold his listeners spellbound with poetry and tune.

Men in South wear embroidered caps with tiny mirrors. A red cloth slung over their shoulders. It is hand-printed from vegetable dyes and cow-dung. Women are equally colourful and bewitched the onlookers with their charm. They wear richly patched and stitched dresses. Some are behind the veils having different pattern identifying their roots.

Ninety five percent are Muslim. They are informal and friendly and follow Islamic teaching in their daily life. They are made up from the people who, at various times and for various reasons migrated to this land on the bank of Indus. They include Arabs, Turk and Moguls and Afghan. Urdu is the national language but English is widely spoken.

Islamabad is the capital while main cities are Karachi and Lahore. Local currency is Rupee, presently Rs.50 per US $. Staple food is wheat. Meat is consumed in good quantity especially on Eid Celebration when goat or cow is sacrificed and meat is distributed to friends and poor. Other festival is Eidul Fiter when sweetmeats are eaten. Besides, there is Pakistan Day and some other national holidays. There also a season of kite-flying especially in Lahore which has become an international event.

AREA
804,000 sq. km excluding Kashmir, which is, disputed territory.

POPULATION
120 million

CAPITAL
Islamabad

OTHER MAJOR CITIES
Karachi (largest city and port), Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Peshawar

PHYSICAL
Fertile plains; Five rivers, Himalayan mountain in the North

LANGUAGE
Urdu, (English is common spoken)

ECONOMY
Exports - cotton textiles, rice, leather, carpet
Import - Petrol, machines, medicines, tea etc
GDP - # 480 per capita (Purchasing Power Parity of Dollar is very high, one can buy five times more goods and services than with the same amount in USA.

ENTRY & EXIST
Passport & visa required by all. Entry prohibited to holders of Israeli Passport. Requirement of 15 days transit visa waived for all foreigners transiting through Pakistan (Other than national of India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Germany and South Africa) provided their onward journey is assured. Certificate of vaccination against yellow fever and cholera required if coming from an infected area. Vaccination against hepatitis, polio and typhoid advised

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Karachi is Pakistan largest city and only national seaport. For year round swimming there are sandy beaches. Year round yachting and boating facilities available. Karachi is also the take-off point, by air, for oldest Indus Valley civilization ruins at Moenjodaro (same day return); fly to Lahore (1 hour and 30 minutes) to see the Royal Fort, fascinating mausoleums, Moghul era Shalimar Gardens, and "Kim's Gun", made famous by Kipling. Take a Boeing to exotic Peshawar for a visit to the world famous Khyber Pass where Churchill battled the ferocious Pathans. One can fly directly to Islamabad, the ultramodern and scenic capital of Pakistan. From there two hours driving takes you to lush green mountain resorts, Murree and Niathiagali, cool in summer and snowy in winter or you can take a Fokker flight to Korakurm mountains.

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