ISLAMIC REPUBLIC
OF PAKISTAN

Population

Population: 167,762,040 (July 2008 est.)

Capital: Islamabad

Nationality: Pakistani

Ethnic groups: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun, Baloch, Muhajir

Language: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (favored as a second language by upper class), other 8%

Government

Pakistan People's Party leader Benzair Bhutto, a key figure in ushering democracy into Pakistan, was leaving an election rally in December 2007 when she was assassinated by a gunman who shot her in the neck and threw a bomb into the crowd.

A General Election was later held in Pakistan on February 18, 2008. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won the majority of seats in the election, and the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) was second in the popular vote. the PPP and PML have formed the new coalition-government and are the official opposition.

Economy

Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, has suffered from decades of internal and international political disputes. However, since 2001, Pakistan has experienced GDP growth and poverty levels have decreased by 10%. Islamabad has also steadily raised development spending in recent years. The Pakistani rupee has depreciated since the proclamation of emergency rule in November 2007.

Currency (code): Pakistani rupee (PKR)

Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees per US dollar - 60.6295 (2007), 60.35 (2006)

This village church was attacked on Easter Sunday 2005 when gunmen opened fire on the congregation. One man was killed & seven others wounded.

Our team visits a sewing school, which helps poor women learn a trade.

In Pakistan, school fees are high & many cannot pay. The Little Angels School gives over 200 poor children free Christian education

Men hungry to receive from God listen intently as
Dr. Al Purvis preaches at a leaders conference.