Celebrating the 75th independence day of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, born on 14 August 1947, when the Muslims of the sub-continent, under the great leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, after a long struggle, got a separate state for Muslims, named Pakistan, is a great joy and excitement for the whole nation. Located in the ancient Indus Valley of the Middle East, settlements in the region, among the Khyber Pass, Himalayas, and the Arabian Sea, are some of the oldest in the world and most heavily traveled in history. It is worth mentioning that India was ruled by Muslims for almost 800 years, but remained under British rule for a century almost, before getting independence.
Its geostrategic location, being on major trade & communication routes, and being unique Muslim World’s nuclear power, make it a very important nation. Its role in geopolitics was always decisive and positive for peace stability and the development of the whole world.
The journey of 75 years of establishment of Pakistan was not very smooth, but rather a jumpy road and passed many ups and downs. Although the Media is projecting Pakistan negatively, and distorting the image of Pakistan, yet, it has stood in a fairly good position in the global ranking. Below are some of the records for your information please:-
Cereals, Fruits, and Livestock Production
*Source is Food and Agriculture Organization
| Field | World Ranking | Year |
| Seed Cotton, output of 4,494,645 tonnes | 5 | 2019 |
| Rice, output of 11,115,428 tonnes | 9 | 2019 |
| Onion, output of 2,079,593 tonnes | 6 | 2019 |
| Mangoes,Mangosteens, Guavas output of 2,270,229 tonnes | 5 | 2019 |
| Wheat, output of 24,348,983 tonnes | 8 | 2019 |
| Dates, output of 483,071 tonnes | 6 | 2019 |
| Sugar Cane, output of 66,888,011 tonnes | 5 | 2019 |
| Chickpea, output of 446,584 tonnes | 5 | 2019 |
| Pulses, output of 110,680 tonnes | 11 | 2017 |
| Okra, output of 124,779 tonnes | 6 | 2019 |
| Goats, Stock of 76,143,000 Heads | 4 | 2019 |
| Buffaloes Stock of 40,002,000 Heads | 2 | 2019 |
| Asses Stock of 5,417,000 Heads | 3 | 2019 |
| Chicken Stock of 1,321,000 Heads | 5 | 2019 |
| Camels Stock of 1,090,000 Heads | 9 | 2019 |
| Meat (Buffalo), 1,085,000 tonnes | 2 | 2019 |
| Milk (Goat), 940,000 tonnes | 4 | 2019 |
| Meat (Goat), 491,000 tonnes | 3 | 2019 |
Cities
| List | World Ranking | Notes |
| Largest City(Population) | 12 | City: Karachi |
| Largest City(Area) | 71 | City: Karachi |
Demographics
| List | World Ranking | Source | Notes |
| Fertility Rate | 38/228 | CIA World Factbook | 3.60 children born per woman |
| English speaking population | 3/133 | List of countries by English-speaking population | 211.8 million |
| Quality-of-life index | 93/111 | Economist Intelligence Unit | |
| Literacy rate | 89.13% | World Bank | 74.5% youth literacy rate (population 15–24 years both genders) |
| Population | 5/238 | CIA World Factbook | Total Population 268,580,000 |
| Population growth rate | 45/237 | World Health Organization | 2.07% |
| Population Density | 50/235 | Worldometer | 275 people per km2 of land area |
| Linguistic diversity index | 42/209 | UNESCO |
Economy[
| List | World Ranking | Source | Notes |
| Account Balance | 53/206 | CIA World Factbook | 144.8 billion US dollars |
| Exports | 67/224 | CIA World Factbook | 61.73 billion US dollars |
| Imports | 50/224 | CIA World Factbook | 100.2 billion US dollars |
| GDP (nominal) | 44/195 | World Bank | 685.6 billion US dollars |
| GDP (PPP) | 24/229 | CIA World Factbook | 1.6 trillion US dollars |
| Financial Development Index | 58/62 | World Economic Forum | |
| Labor Force | 9/141 | World Economic Forum | 110.2 million |
Industry[
| List | World Ranking | Source | Notes |
| Cement production | 17/154 | United States Geological Survey | 74,000 metric tons |
| Electricity production | 32/209 | British Petroleum | 137,800 GWh |
| Hand-sewn football production | 1 | 55% of football is made in Sialkot | |
| Surgical instrument manufacturing | 1 | 80% of world supply comes from Sialkot |
Environment
| List | World Ranking | Source | Notes |
| Happy Planet Index | 36/140 | New Economics Foundation | HPI Score 31.5 |
| CO2 emissions | 31/205 | World Bank | 223.6 million tonnes |
Energy
| List | Pakistan Ranking/Total Countries | Source | Notes |
| Electricity Production | 32/209 | CIA World Factbook | 137,800 GWh |
| Installed Capacity | 35/215 | CIA World Factbook | 37,402 MW |
| Electricity Consumption | 34/219 | CIA World Factbook | 90,000 GWh |
| Electricity From Nuclear Fuels | 22/215 | CIA World Factbook | 4% Of Total Installed Capacity |
| Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants | 74/215 | CIA World Factbook | 29% Of Total Installed Capacity |
| Crude Oil Production | 44/217 | CIA World Factbook | 89,720 BBL/Day |
| Crude Oil Imports | 25/218 | WorldsTopTrade | 168,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Crude Oil Proved Reserve | 47/215 | CIA World Factbook | 332.2 million Barrel |
| Natural Gas Production | 22/217 | CIA World Factbook | 39.05 Billion Cubic Meter/Annually |
| Natural Gas Imports | 32/216 | CIA World Factbook | 6.003 Billion Cubic Meter/Annually |
| Natural Gas Proved Reserve | 30/210 | CIA World Factbook & EIA | 588.8 Billion Cubic Meter / 20.8 Trillion Cubic Feet |
| Uranium Production | 14/20 | World Nuclear Association | 45 Tonnes |
Military
| List | World Ranking | Source | Notes |
| Military expenditures | 23/155 | CIA World Factbook | 3.1% of GDP |
| Active troops | 6/173 | Statista | 654,000 |
| Active UN Peacekeepers | 6/119 | List of countries by number of UN peacekeepers | 3,949 |
| Defence budget | 23/140 | 15.4 billion | |
| Tanks | 7/140 | 4,242 | |
| Aircraft | 7/140 | 1,387 | |
| Total naval | 28/140 | 118 |
Communications
Following rankings involving technological advances in communication are taken from the CIA World Factbook
| List | World Ranking | Demographics (est.) |
| Telephone Lines in Use | 33/218 | 46.7 million |
| Mobile Phone Users | 7/222 | 300 million |
| Internet hosts | 57/233 | 11.2 million |
| Number of Internet Users | 9/217 | 258.3 million |
Sports
| List | World Ranking | Source | Notes |
| Test Cricket – men’s | 6/ 12 | International Cricket Council | |
| ODI Cricket – men’s | 4/ 20 | International Cricket Council | 1992 ICC Cricket World Cup Winners, ICC Champions Trophy 2017 winners |
| T20I Cricket – men’s | 3/ 85 | International Cricket Council | 2009 ICC World T20 Winners |
| ODI Cricket – women’s | 7 / 10 | International Cricket Council | |
| Kabaddi (Standard Style)- men’s | 3/10 | IKF | |
| Number of British Open Squash champions (men) | 1/ 12 | British Open Squash Championships | 30 championships |
| Number of World Squash Championships (men) | 1/150 | World Squash Championships | 14 championships |
| Number of World Cup in Field Hockey (men) | 1 / 11 | International Hockey Federation | 4 World Cups |
| International Hockey Federation World Rankings (men) | 18/90 | International Hockey Federation | |
| International Hockey Federation World Rankings (women) | 60/75 | International Hockey Federation |
Awards
| List | World Ranking | Source | Notes |
| Nobel laureates | 22/71 | Nobel Prize | Malala Yousafzai, Peace, 2014Abdus Salam, Physics, 1979 |
| Academy Award for Best Documentary ( Short Subject ) | 2nd in the world along with Malcolm Clarke, Walt Disney, Bill Guttentag, Robin Lehman | Academy Awards | Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy 2012 and 2016 and 2018 |
| Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject – 2 Wins (Female) | 1st in the World | Academy Awards | In 2012, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy became the first Pakistani to win an Oscar, winning the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject alongside co-director Daniel Junge for their film Saving Face. She won again in 2016 for the film A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness, becoming the first female filmmaker to win twice in this category. |
| Lenin Peace Prize | – | Lenin Peace Prize | Faiz Ahmed Faiz, 1962Abdul Sattar Edhi, 1988 |
| Légion d’Honneur | – | Légion d’Honneur | Ahmad Hasan Dani, 1998Asma Jahangir, 2014 |
- Human Development Index (1=the most developed) 0.56 (score) in 2019
In 2019, the human development index for Pakistan was a 0.56 score. The human development index of Pakistan increased from 0.45 score in 2000 to 0.56 score in 2019 growing at an average annual rate of 1.17%.
- Ease of doing business (the highest=the best) 61.0 (score) in 2020
In 2020, the ease of doing business in Pakistan was 61 score. The ease of doing business in Pakistan increased from a 50.4 score in 2016 to a 61 score in 2020 growing at an average annual rate of 4.93%.
- Global competitiveness rank (1=the best) 51 (rank) in 2019
In 2019, the global competitiveness rank for Pakistan was 51 rank. The global competitiveness rank of Pakistan increased from 50 ranks in 2017 to 51 ranks in 2019 growing at an average annual rate of 1.59%.
- Civil liberties index 22 (score) in 2021
Pakistan’s civil liberties index was at the level of 22 scores in 2021, unchanged from the previous year.
- LEGATUM Prosperity index (1=the best) 44.25 (score) in 2020
In 2020, the prosperity index for Pakistan was 44.25 score. The prosperity index of Pakistan increased from a 39.74 score in 2011 to a 44.25 score in 2020 growing at an average annual rate of 1.21%.
- Global entrepreneurship index (Highest = Best) 17.30 (index) in 2019
Pakistan’s global entrepreneurship index was at the level of 17.3 indexes in 2019, up from the 15.64 indexes the previous year, this is a change of 10.61%.
- Global hunger index (0 = No hunger) 24.70 (index) in 2021
In 2021, the global hunger index for Pakistan was 24.7 index. Though Pakistan’s global hunger index fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to decrease through the 2000 – 2021 period ending at a 24.7 index in 2021.
- Global innovation index (0 = Weakest) 24.40 (index) in 2021
In 2021, the global innovation index for Pakistan was 24.4 index. Though Pakistan’s global innovation index fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase through the 2015 – 2021 period ending at 24.4 indexes in 2021.
- Global terrorism index 7.83 (index) in 2021
In 2021, the global terrorism index for Pakistan was 7.83 index. The global terrorism index of Pakistan fell gradually from 9.05 index in 2012 to 7.83 index in 2021.
- Social progress index (highest = best) 49.25 (index) in 2020
In 2020, the social progress index for Pakistan was 49.25 index. The social progress index of Pakistan increased from 46.27 indexes in 2011 to 49.25 index in 2020 growing at an average annual rate of 0.70%.
- The net enrolment rate in pre-primary education was 57.9 (%) in 2015
In 2015, the net enrolment rate in pre-primary education for Pakistan was 57.9 %. The net enrolment rate in pre-primary education in Pakistan increased from 37.9 % in 2004 to 57.9 % in 2015 growing at an average annual rate of 15.97%.
- The youth literacy rate was 72.8 (%) in 2014
In 2014, the youth literacy rate for Pakistan was 72.8 %. Though Pakistan’s youth literacy rate fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase from 1998 – 2014 period ending at 72.8 % in 2014.
- Adult (15+) literacy rate 58.0 (%) in 2019
In 2019, the adult literacy rate for Pakistan was 58 %. Though Pakistan’s adult literacy rate fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase from the 1981 – 2019 period ending at 58 % in 2019.
- The gross enrolment ratio in secondary education was 43.8 (%) in 2019
In 2019, the gross enrolment ratio in secondary education for Pakistan was 43.8 %. The gross enrolment ratio in secondary education in Pakistan increased from 20.5 % in 1988 to 43.8 % in 2019 growing at an average annual rate of 4.39%.
- Public spending on education as a share of gross domestic product was 2.5 (%) in 2019
In 2019, public spending on education as a share of GDP for Pakistan was 2.5 %. Though Pakistan’s public spending on education as a share of GDP fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase from 1995 – 2019 period ending at 2.5 % in 2019.
- The gross enrolment ratio in tertiary education was 9.0 (%) in 2018
In 2018, the gross enrolment ratio in tertiary education for Pakistan was 9 %. Though Pakistan’s gross enrolment ratio in tertiary education fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase from 1979 – 2018 period ending at 9 % in 2018.
- Female students in tertiary education 45.2 (%) in 2015
In 2015, female students in tertiary education in Pakistan were 45.2 %. Though Pakistan’s female students in tertiary education fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase from 1978 – 2015 period ending at 45.2 % in 2015.
- Exports of goods and services at current prices of 35,565,880,000 (US dollars) in 2021
In 2021, exports of goods and services for Pakistan were 35,565 million US dollars. Exports of goods and services to Pakistan increased from 12,158 million US dollars in 2002 to 35,565 million US dollars in 2021 growing at an average annual rate of 6.47%.
- Ores and metals exports as a share of merchandise exports were 4.6 (%) in 2021
In 2021, ores and metals exports for Pakistan were 4.6 %. Ores and metals exports of Pakistan increased from 0.7 % in 1969 to 4.6 % in 2021 growing at an average annual rate of 7.31%.
- Manufactures exports as a share of merchandise exports were 75.4 (%) in 2021
In 2021, manufacturing exports for Pakistan was 75.4 %. Though Pakistan manufactures exports fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase from 1969 – 2021 period ending at 75.4 % in 2021.
- Imports of goods and services in current prices of 76,392,127,000 (US dollars) in 2021
In 2021, imports of goods and services for Pakistan were 76,392 million US dollars. Imports of goods and services of Pakistan increased from 12,566 million US dollars in 2002 to 76,392 million US dollars in 2021 growing at an average annual rate of 11.58%.
- Export of services in current prices 5,353 (million US dollars) in 2020
In 2020, the export of services for Pakistan was 5,353 million US dollars. Though Pakistan’s export of services fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase through the 2006 – 2020 period ending at 5,353 million US dollars in 2020.
- Scientific and technical journal articles 12,904 (number) in 2018
In 2018, scientific and technical journal articles for Pakistan were 12,904. Between 2004 and 2018, scientific and technical journal articles in Pakistan grew substantially from 1,722 to 12,904 rising at an increasing annual rate that reached a maximum of 35.57% in 2005 and then decreased to 12.34% in 2018.
- High-technology exports in current prices of 309,393,334 (US dollars) in 2020
In 2020, high-technology exports for Pakistan were 309 million US dollars. Though Pakistan’s high-technology exports fluctuated substantially in recent years, they tended to increase through the 2011 – 2020 period ending at 309 million US dollars in 2020.
- High-technology exports as a share of manufactured exports were 1.9 (%) in 2020
In 2020, high-technology exports as a share of manufactured exports for Pakistan was 1.9 %. Though Pakistan’s high-technology exports as a share of manufactured exports fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase through the 2011 – 2020 period ending at 1.9 % in 2020.
- Patent applications among residents 338 (number) in 2020
In 2020, patent applications among residents of Pakistan were 338. Though Pakistan patent applications among residents fluctuated substantially in recent years, they tended to increase through the 2000 – 2020 period ending at 338 in 2020.
- Direct resident trademark applications 32,741 (number) in 2019
In 2019, direct resident trademark applications for Pakistan were 32,741. Between 1999 and 2019, direct resident trademark applications in Pakistan grew substantially from 5,254 to 32,741 rising at an increasing annual rate that reached a maximum of 33.29% in 2004 and then decreased to 7.20% in 2019.
- Researchers in R&D 383 (number per million people) in 2019
In 2019, researchers in R&D for Pakistan was 383 number per million people. Researchers in R&D of Pakistan increased from 157 number per million people in 2007 to 383 number per million people in 2019 growing at an average annual rate of 18.75%.
- The proportion of the population served with at least basic sanitation was 68.4 (%) in 2020
In 2020, the proportion of the population served with at least basic sanitation in Pakistan was 68.4 %. The proportion of the population served with at least basic sanitation in Pakistan increased from 31.7 % in 2001 to 68.4 % in 2020 growing at an average annual rate of 4.14%.
- Passengers carried by air transport 3,711,457 (number) in 2020
In 2020, passengers carried by air transport for Pakistan were 3.71 million. Though Pakistan passengers carried by air transport fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase through the 1971 – 2020 period ending at 3.71 million in 2020.
- Road density 33.0 (km/100 sq.km) in 2011
In 2011, road density for Pakistan was 33 km/100 sq. km. Road density of Pakistan increased from 31.6 km/100 sq. km in 2002 to 33 km/100 sq. km in 2011 growing at an average annual rate of 0.47%.
- Passengers carried by railways 24,903 (million passenger-km) in 2018
Pakistan passengers carried by railways were at the level of 24,903 million passenger-km in 2018, up from 22,476 million passenger-km the previous years, this is a change of 10.80%.
- Sales of all motor vehicles 237,424 (units) in 2021
In 2021, motor vehicle sales for Pakistan were 237,424 units. Though Pakistan motor vehicle sales fluctuated substantially in recent years, they tended to increase through the 2007 – 2021 period ending at 237,424 units in 2021.
- Fixed broadband subscriptions 1,760,870 (number) in 2019
In 2019, fixed broadband subscriptions for Pakistan were 1.76 million. Fixed broadband subscriptions in Pakistan increased from 14,600 in 2005 to 1.76 million in 2019 growing at an average annual rate of 53.98%.
- Mobile cellular subscriptions 165,405,847 (number) in 2019
In 2019, mobile cellular subscriptions for Pakistan were 165 million. Mobile cellular subscriptions in Pakistan increased from 306,493 in 2000 to 165 million in 2019 growing at an average annual rate of 49.17%.
- Agricultural area 36,723 (thousand hectares) in 2020
In 2020, the agricultural area for Pakistan was 36,723 thousand hectares. Though Pakistan’s agricultural area fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase through the 1971 – 2020 period ending at 36,723 thousand hectares in 2020.
- Permanent cropland as a share of land area 1.0 (%) in 2018
In 2018, permanent cropland as a share of land area for Pakistan was 1 %. Permanent cropland as a share of the land area of Pakistan increased from 0.2 % in 1969 to 1 % in 2018 growing at an average annual rate of 3.42%.
- Agricultural area organic 70 (thousand hectares) in 2020
In 2020, the agricultural area organic for Pakistan was 70 thousand hectares. The agricultural area organic of Pakistan increased from 25 thousand hectares in 2006 to 70 thousand hectares in 2020 growing at an average annual rate of 8.73%.
- Homicides 8,490 (number) in 2020
In 2020, homicides in Pakistan were 8,490. Though Pakistan’s homicides fluctuated substantially in recent years, they tended to decrease through the 2001 – 2020 period ending at 8,490 in 2020.
- International tourism, number of arrivals 966,000 (number) in 2012
In 2012, the number of arrivals in Pakistan was 966,000. The number of arrivals in Pakistan increased from 429,000 in 1998 to 966,000 in 2012 growing at an average annual rate of 6.95%.
- Travel and tourism’s direct contribution to GDP at current prices is 7.9 (billion US dollars) in 2019
In 2019, travel and tourism’s direct contribution to GDP for Pakistan was 7.9 billion US dollars. Travel and tourism’s direct contribution to the GDP of Pakistan increased from 2.1 billion US dollars in 2000 to 7.9 billion US dollars in 2019 growing at an average annual rate of 7.45%.
Hope after going through this article, you might have changed your negative perception of Pakistan spread through media.
Happy Independence Day to the whole nation.
Pakistan Zinda Bad!
Pakistan Paenda Bad!
References:-
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/pakistan
https://knoema.com/atlas/Pakistan/topics/Tourism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_rankings_of_Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Pakistan
Excellent info and lots of improvements but needed to increase further in critical areas of agriculture, industrial production, and socioeconomic areas.
You are right. There is a lot to improve. Endorsed.
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