Challenges for Prayer

1 After half a century of misrule, Pakistan needs a government that allows a real democracy to develop and spends its income on economic rather than military development, ends a culture of uncontrolled corruption and gives a fair deal to all its citizens

2 Islamism has severely damaged the economy and social cohesion of society

3 Shari'a law has only been partially implemented, but its effects for minorities are dire

4 Christian missions have been working in the land since 1833. Christian standards and institutions have had a deep impact on the country — a fact which Islamists want to ignore

Geography

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Area 796,095 sq.km, which includes 83,700 sq.km of the third of Kashmir controlled by Pakistan.

Population (2000) 156,483,155 +2.81%AGR

Capital Islamabad 1.1 mill.

Peoples

Indo-Aryan 78.8%; Indo-Iranian 18.5%; Dravidian 1.6%; Tibetan 0.5%; Other 0.6%.

Literacy 38% officially, many estimate it is nearer 25%. Official language Urdu, which is becoming widely used by all. All languages 69. Languages with Scriptures 5Bi 6NT 9por 16w.i.p.

Economy

Main exports are sports goods, textiles, garments and heroin. HDI 0.508; 138^th/174. Public debt 36% of GNP. Income/person $500 (1.6% of USA).

Politics

Muslim politicians insisted on a separate state resulting in the partition of British-ruled India at independence in 1947.

Religion

An Islamic republic.

Churches in Pakistan

Missionaries from Pakistan

174 in 15 agencies; nearly all in Pakistan.

Expatriates to Pakistan

579 in 66 agencies from 23 countries

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