Industrial equipment, vehicles, iron ore,
petroleum, edible oil
LITERACY RATE
38.9%
NATIONAL FLAG
NATIONAL
ANTHEM
Approved in June, 1954
Verses Composed by: Abul Asar Hafeez Jullundhri
Tune Composed by: Ahmed G. Chagla
Duration: 80 seconds
NATIONAL
EMBLEM
NATIONAL
FLOWER
Jasmine
FLORA
Pine,
Oak, Poplar, Deodar, Maple, Mulberry
FAUNA
The
Pheasant, Leopard, Deer, Ibex, Chinkara, Black
buk, Neelgai, Markhor, Marcopolo sheep, Green
turtles, River & Sea fish, Crocodile,
Water Fowls
POPULAR
GAMES
Cricket, Hockey, Football
TOURIST
RESORTS
Murree,
Quetta, Hunza, Ziarat, Swat, Kaghan, Chitral
and Gilgit
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
SITES
Moenjo
Daro, Harappa, Taxila, Kot Diji, Mehr Garh
INTRODUCTION
Pakistan
is an Islamic Republic and its capital is Islamabad. Pakistan
has four provinces: Baluchistan, North West Frontier Province
(NWFP), Punjab and Sindh. Their respective capitals are:
Quetta, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi. In addition to these
provinces is the Federally Administered Northern Area
(FANA), which is divided into the districts of Diamer,
Ghanche, Ghizer, Gilgit and Skardu. There are also seven
Federally Administered Tribal Areas. (FATA)
GOVERNMENT
Pakistan
has a federal structure. Parliament consists of the Lower
House (National Assembly) and the Upper House (Senate).
Members of the National Assembly are directly elected
and their term of office is five years. The National Assembly
determines the major policy issues and passes an annual
budget and legislation. . It elects the Prime Minister
from among its members.
The Prime Minister forms the cabinet from among members
of the Assembly and the Senate. Provinces have their own
elected legislative assemblies and Chief Ministers. The
Provincial Assemblies elect the majority of the members
of the Upper House.
BUSINESS
HOURS
Banks:
Monday to Thursday and Saturday 9.00 a.m. until 1.00 p.m.,
Friday 9.00 am.- 12 noon. Government Offices: Monday to Thursday and Saturday
8.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m., Friday 8.30 a.m. until midday. Private Businesses: Monday to Thursday and Saturday
9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m., Friday 9.00 a.m. until midday. Sunday is a weekly holiday in Pakistan. It should
be noted that shorter working hours are observed during
Ramadan (fasting month).
CURRENCY
The basic
unit of currency is the Rupee, which is divided into 100
paisa. Currency notes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and
1000 rupees are currently in use. Coins of 5, 10,25, 50
paisas and 1 rupee are in circulation.
DRESS
CODE
Visitors
should remember that Pakistan is a Muslim country and
dress accordingly. Shorts, in general, are inappropriate
for men and women. Also, women should wear long skirts
and long sleeved tops.
DRINKING
WATER
Tap Water
is not safe to drink. Bottled water is available at major
towns and most tourist attractions.
DRIVING
Cars in Pakistan
drive on the left side (right hand drive). International
or national licenses are valid and all cars must be insured
and registered. The minimum driving age is 18 years. The
speed limit is 65 kph on most roads. CAR RENTAL: Private cars for hire (with a driver)
are available from rent-a-car companies and Tourist Information
Centers. Cars without drivers, however, are more difficult
to hire as a personal or cash guarantee is required.
ECONOMY
Pakistan's
major exports include raw cotton and cotton products,
rice, fish and fish products, carpets and rugs, leather
and leather goods, sports and surgical goods. Major imports
include tea, petroleum and its products, edible oils,
chemical fertilizers, milk and milk foods, agricultural
machinery, transport equipment, medicines, iron and steel.
Pakistan's major trading partners are the USA, Japan,
Germany, and UK. Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and China.
ELECTRICITY
220 V. 50
Hz AC.
EMERGENCY
Police: Tel:
15 (in most cities)
Fire: Tel: 16
Ambulance: Tel: 115
Air Reservation: 114
Railway Reservation: 117
EXPORT
RESTRICTIONS FOR TOURISTS LEAVING
Foreign tourists
can export precious stones or jewelry (except gold jewelry)
up to a value of Rs.2000 without any permission or duty.
HEALTH
INFORMATION
Yellow Fever
vaccination certificates are required for travelers arriving
from endemic zones. Vaccination against cholera, hepatitis,
typhoid and polio is recommended. A malaria risk exists
in Pakistan throughout the year in areas below 2000 metres.
All foreigners coming to stay in Pakistan for over one
year, require an AIDs-free certificate.
LANGUAGES
The national
language is Urdu, while the official language is English.
Some of the main regional languages include Sindhi, Baluchi,
Punjabi and Pushto.
LIQUOR
The import
of liquor is not allowed. However, if somebody brings
in some quantity by mistake they should declare it to
the Customs Officer who shall detail the liquor against
a receipt and it will be returned to the tourist on departure
from Pakistan. Non-Muslim foreign tourists can purchase
liquor from an authorized vendor in Pakistan (usually
a five- or four-star hotel) against a permit. This permit
can be obtained from the Excise and Taxation Officer of
the respective area. Hotels having a liquor vending license
can also sell liquor to non-Muslim foreign tourists staying
in the hotel. Be aware that drinking in public places
is prohibited.
POPULATION
Pakistan
has a Population of over 130 million. At present, the
growth rate is 2.8 percent per annum. The major cities
areKarachi
(10 million). Lahore
(5.5 million). Faisalabad
(2 million), Rawalpindi
(928,000), Hyderabad
(800,000),Islamabad
(340,286).
RAILWAYS
Pakistan
Railways in all classes allows a 25 percent concession
foreign tourists (both for groups and individuals). This
concession is allowed on production of a recommendation
certificate by any PTDC Tourist Information Center and
original passport, to the Divisional Superintendent of
Pakistan Railways (at Karachi, Quetta. Lahore, Sukkur,
Multan, Peshawar and Rawalpindi and Station Masters of
other principal stations). Foreign students are allowed
50 percent concession on Pakistan Railways on production
of PTDC certificate, Student Card and their passport.
RELIGION
Muslim
(97%),Hindu
(1.5%),
Christian (1%) and several other minorities.
TELEPHONE
INFORMATION AND CODES
Country Code:+92 Faisalabad: 41,
Hyderahad: 221.
Islamabad:
51, Karachi:
21, Lahore:
42, Multan:
61, Rawalpindi:
51, Gilgit
: 572, Skardu:
575. Peshawar:
521. Outgoing calls can be made via an operator
or from ISD Public Call Offices (PCO). For internal calls,
Card Phone booths are installed at main business streets
in most cities and towns. Public telephone, telex and
fax facilities are available at the Customers Service
Centers (CSC) or in general stores and shops, identified
by a sign displaying 'PCO' on green boards.
TIME
ZONE
Pakistan
Standard Time is GMT plus 5 hours. It gets dark at about
5 p.m. in winter and around 7.30 p.m. in summer.
WEIGHTS
AND MEASURES
The metric
system is used as the official system of weights and measures
in Pakistan
