Pakistan
Pakistan is bordered on the West and North by Iran and Afghanistan, on the Northeast by China, and on the East by India.
The country gained independence in 1947 and under its first constitution in 1956 it was proclaimed an Islamic Republic – 98% of the population is Muslim. The national language is Urdu, and 23 other languages are also spoken, reflecting the country’s many ethnic groups.
Pakistan is a very poor country, with nearly half the population of 161 million without access to even basic healthcare. In addition the literacy rate in Pakistan is low at 49% despite the fact that both the public and private sectors provide education services. Two thirds of Pakistan’s population live in rural areas where literacy and access to basic services is further limited.
The devastating earthquake that hit northern Pakistan in October 2005 has further set back development. The disaster killed 73,000, of which 20,000 were children, injured another 128,000 people and severely damaged much of the regional infrastructure, homes and public services.
A number of communities within Plan programme areas were directly affected and Plan responded with immediate rescue efforts has continued to provide emergency medical supplies, food, blankets and tents. Short-term relief efforts have included the establishment of family camps and temporary schools for children. Plan is working with the government and other agencies to assist survivors. If you would like more information on Plan’s ongoing reconstruction work, please contact us.
Some of the reasons why Plan works in Pakistan
- More than a third of children under five suffer from stunted growth due to poor nutrition
- More than one in ten children die before reaching the age of five
- Only a third of children go to primary school
- 38% of the population do not have access to adequate sanitation facilities
More than just money in their pockets
The Enterprise Activist Programme run by Plan in Pakistan has helped low-income families to develop business skills, improving their financial situation and their standing in their community |
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Three Plan staff killed in armed attack
Plan has suspended operations in Pakistan following an attack on its offices in which three members of staff were killed by gunmen in Mansehra in the North West Frontier |
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Pakistan earthquake - two years after
On the second anniversary of the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, work to rehabilitate the affected communities continues. New facilities and educational opportunities are widening horizons for girls in the area |
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A polio eradication project in Pakistan
Polio vaccination for children in Pakistan – is a matter of life or death. With your help, Plan can help put a stop to polio and give its poorest children the chance of a healthier future. |
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Thousands homeless by flooding in Pakistan
Plan responded when two provinces in Pakistan – Punjab and North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) – were severely affected by heavy floods last summer with thousands of homes damaged, over 12,000 people displaced, and large areas of agricultural land extensively damaged |
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