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Bangladesh vs. Pakistan

Introduction

BangladeshPakistan
Background

The huge delta region formed at the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra River systems - now referred to as Bangladesh - was a loosely incorporated outpost of various empires centered on the Gangetic plain for much of the first millennium A.D. Muslim conversions and settlement in the region began in the 10th century, primarily from Arab and Persian traders and preachers. Europeans established trading posts in the area in the 16th century. Eventually the area known as Bengal, primarily Hindu in the western section and mostly Muslim in the eastern half, became part of British India. Partition in 1947 resulted in an eastern wing of Pakistan in the Muslim-majority area, which became East Pakistan. Calls for greater autonomy and animosity between the eastern and western wings of Pakistan led to a Bengali independence movement. That movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won the independence war for Bangladesh in 1971.

The post-independence AL government faced daunting challenges and in 1975 it was overthrown by the military, triggering a series of military coups that resulted in a military-backed government and subsequent creation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. That government also ended in a coup in 1981, followed by military-backed rule until democratic elections occurred in 1991. The BNP and AL have alternated in power since 1991, with the exception of a military-backed, emergency caretaker regime that suspended parliamentary elections planned for January 2007 in an effort to reform the political system and root out corruption. That government returned the country to fully democratic rule in December 2008 with the election of the AL and Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA. In January 2014, the incumbent AL won the national election by an overwhelming majority after the BNP boycotted the election, which extended HASINA's term as prime minister. In December 2018, HASINA secured a third consecutive term (fourth overall) with the AL coalition securing 96% of available seats, amid widespread claims of election irregularities. With the help of international development assistance, Bangladesh has reduced the poverty rate from over half of the population to less than a third, achieved Millennium Development Goals for maternal and child health, and made great progress in food security since independence. The economy has grown at an annual average of about 6% for the last two decades and the country reached World Bank lower-middle income status in 2014.

The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars and a limited conflict - in 1947-48, 1965, and 1999 respectively - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India assisted an indigenous movement reacting to the marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh.

In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in mid-1998. India-Pakistan relations improved in the mid-2000s but have been rocky since the November 2008 Mumbai attacks and have been further strained by attacks in India by militants believed to be based in Pakistan. Imran KHAN took office as prime minister in 2018 after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party won a plurality of seats in the July 2018 general elections. Pakistan has been engaged in a decades-long armed conflict with militant groups that target government institutions and civilians, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant networks.

Geography

BangladeshPakistan
LocationSouthern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and IndiaSouthern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
Geographic coordinates24 00 N, 90 00 E30 00 N, 70 00 E
Map referencesAsiaAsia
Areatotal: 148,460 sq km

land: 130,170 sq km

water: 18,290 sq km
total: 796,095 sq km

land: 770,875 sq km

water: 25,220 sq km
Area - comparativeslightly larger than Pennsylvania and New Jersey combined; slightly smaller than Iowaslightly more than five times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundariestotal: 4,413 km

border countries (2): Burma 271 km, India 4142 km
total: 7,257 km

border countries (4): Afghanistan 2670 km, China 438 km, India 3190 km, Iran 959 km
Coastline580 km1,046 km
Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 18 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: to the outer limits of the continental margin
territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climatetropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north
Terrainmostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeastdivided into three major geographic areas: the northern highlands, the Indus River plain in the center and east, and the Balochistan Plateau in the south and west
Elevation extremeshighest point: Keokradong 1,230 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 85 m
highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m

lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 900 m
Natural resourcesnatural gas, arable land, timber, coalarable land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
Land useagricultural land: 70.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 59% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 6.5% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 4.6% (2018 est.)

forest: 11.1% (2018 est.)

other: 18.8% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 35.2% (2018 est.)

arable land: 27.6% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 6.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 2.1% (2018 est.)

other: 62.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land53,000 sq km (2012)202,000 sq km (2012)
Natural hazardsdroughts; cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon seasonfrequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)
Environment - current issuesmany people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; waterborne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; destruction of wetlands; severe overpopulation with noise pollutionwater pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural freshwater resources; most of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution and noise pollution in urban areas
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - notemost of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengalcontrols Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
Total renewable water resources1,227,032,000,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)246.8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Demographics

BangladeshPakistan
Population164,098,818 (July 2021 est.)238,181,034 (July 2021 est.)

note: provisional results of Pakistan's 2017 national census estimate the country's total population to be 207,774,000
Age structure0-14 years: 26.48% (male 21,918,651/female 21,158,574)

15-24 years: 18.56% (male 15,186,470/female 15,001,950)

25-54 years: 40.72% (male 31,694,267/female 34,535,643)

55-64 years: 7.41% (male 5,941,825/female 6,115,856)

65 years and over: 6.82% (male 5,218,206/female 5,879,411) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 36.01% (male 42,923,925/female 41,149,694)

15-24 years: 19.3% (male 23,119,205/female 21,952,976)

25-54 years: 34.7% (male 41,589,381/female 39,442,046)

55-64 years: 5.55% (male 6,526,656/female 6,423,993)

65 years and over: 4.44% (male 4,802,165/female 5,570,595) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 27.9 years

male: 27.1 years

female: 28.6 years (2020 est.)
total: 22 years

male: 21.9 years

female: 22.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate0.95% (2021 est.)1.99% (2021 est.)
Birth rate17.88 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)26.95 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate-2.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)-0.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 31.13 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 33.82 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 28.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 55.26 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 59.58 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 50.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 74.43 years

male: 72.25 years

female: 76.7 years (2021 est.)
total population: 69.37 years

male: 67.34 years

female: 71.5 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate2.1 children born/woman (2021 est.)3.53 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate<.1% (2018 est.)0.2% (2020 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Bangladeshi(s)

adjective: Bangladeshi
noun: Pakistani(s)

adjective: Pakistani
Ethnic groupsBengali at least 98%, other indigenous ethnic groups 1.1% (2011 est.)

note: Bangladesh's government recognizes 27 indigenous ethnic groups under the 2010 Cultural Institution for Small Anthropological Groups Act; other sources estimate there are about 75 ethnic groups; critics of the 2011 census claim that it underestimates the size of Bangladesh's ethnic population
Punjabi 44.7%, Pashtun (Pathan) 15.4%, Sindhi 14.1%, Saraiki 8.4%, Muhajirs 7.6%, Balochi 3.6%, other 6.3%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS14,000 (2018 est.)200,000 (2020 est.)
ReligionsMuslim 89.1%, Hindu 10%, other 0.9% (includes Buddhist, Christian) (2013 est.)Muslim (official) 96.5% (Sunni 85-90%, Shia 10-15%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 3.5% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths<1000 (2018 est.)8,200 (2020 est.)
LanguagesBangla 98.8% (official, also known as Bengali), other 1.2% (2011 est.)

major-language sample(s):
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The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Saraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashto (alternate name, Pashtu) 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%

major-language sample(s):
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The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 74.7%

male: 77.4%

female: 72% (2019)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 59.1%

male: 71.1%

female: 46.5% (2015)
Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations

water contact diseases: leptospirosis

animal contact diseases: rabies

note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Bangladesh; as of 19 July 2021, Bangladesh has reported a total of 1,128,889 cases of COVID-19 or 685.47 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with 11.13 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 19 July 2021, 3.54% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria

animal contact diseases: rabies

note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Pakistan; as of 19 July 2021, Pakistan has reported a total of 991,727 cases of COVID-19 or 448.96 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with 10.33 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 19 July 2021, 4.21% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Food insecuritysevere localized food insecurity: due to economic constraints - food insecurity poverty levels have increased due to income losses and a decline in remittances caused by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (2021)severe localized food insecurity: due to population displacements, economic constraints, and high prices of the main food staple - the main causes of food insecurity in the country are limited livelihood opportunities, high food prices, and recurrent natural disasters, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic; severe floods in August 2020 in Sindh Province affected the livelihoods of about 2 million people and caused severe damage to housing and infrastructure; in addition, prices of wheat flour, the country's main staple, were at high levels in most markets in May 2021, constraining access to food of the most vulnerable households; Pakistan hosts large numbers of registered and unregistered Afghan refugees; most of these people are in need of humanitarian assistance and are straining the already limited resources of the host communities; poverty levels have increased due to losses of income-generating opportunities (2021)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 12 years

male: 12 years

female: 12 years (2018)
total: 8 years

male: 9 years

female: 8 years (2018)
Education expenditures1.3% of GDP (2019)2.9% of GDP (2017)
Urbanizationurban population: 38.9% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 2.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 37.4% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 98.9% of population

rural: 98.4% of population

total: 98.6% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population

rural: 1.6% of population

total: 1.4% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 94.2% of population

rural: 89.9% of population

total: 91.5% of population

unimproved: urban: 5.8% of population

rural: 10.1% of population

total: 8.5% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 82.5% of population

rural: 64.4% of population

total: 70.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 17.5% of population

rural: 35.6% of population

total: 29.1% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 82.5% of population

rural: 62.9% of population

total: 70.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 17.5% of population

rural: 37.1% of population

total: 29.9% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population21.741 million DHAKA (capital), 5.133 million Chittagong, 949,000 Khulna, 924,000 Rajshahi, 890,000 Sylhet, Bogra 820,000 (2021)16.459 million Karachi, 13.095 million Lahore, 3.542 million Faisalabad, 2.281 million Rawalpindi, 2.290 million Gujranwala, 1.164 million ISLAMABAD (capital) (2021)
Maternal mortality rate173 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)140 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight22.6% (2019)23.1% (2017/18)
Health expenditures2.3% (2018)3.2% (2018)
Physicians density0.58 physicians/1,000 population (2018)0.98 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density0.8 beds/1,000 population (2016)0.6 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate3.6% (2016)8.6% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth18.6 years (2017/18 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 20-49
22.8 years (2017/18 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-49
Contraceptive prevalence rate62.7% (2019)34% (2018/19)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 47

youth dependency ratio: 39.3

elderly dependency ratio: 7.7

potential support ratio: 13 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 64.4

youth dependency ratio: 57.2

elderly dependency ratio: 7.1

potential support ratio: 14 (2020 est.)

Government

BangladeshPakistan
Country nameconventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh

conventional short form: Bangladesh

local long form: Gana Prajatantri Bangladesh

local short form: Bangladesh

former: East Bengal, East Pakistan

etymology: the name - a compound of the Bengali words "Bangla" (Bengal) and "desh" (country) - means "Country of Bengal"
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan

conventional short form: Pakistan

local long form: Jamhuryat Islami Pakistan

local short form: Pakistan

former: West Pakistan

etymology: the word "pak" means "pure" in Persian or Pashto, while the Persian suffix "-stan" means "place of" or "country," so the word Pakistan literally means "Land of the Pure"
Government typeparliamentary republicfederal parliamentary republic
Capitalname: Dhaka

geographic coordinates: 23 43 N, 90 24 E

time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the origins of the name are unclear, but some sources state that the city's site was originally called "dhakka," meaning "watchtower," and that the area served as a watch-station for Bengal rulers
name: Islamabad

geographic coordinates: 33 41 N, 73 03 E

time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: derived from two words: "Islam," an Urdu word referring to the religion of Islam, and "-abad," a Persian suffix indicating an "inhabited place" or "city," to render the meaning "City of Islam"
Administrative divisions8 divisions; Barishal, Chattogram, Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet4 provinces, 2 Pakistan-administered areas*, and 1 capital territory**; Azad Kashmir*, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh
Independence16 December 1971 (from Pakistan)14 August 1947 (from British India)
National holidayIndependence Day, 26 March (1971); Victory Day, 16 December (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of the Awami League's declaration of an independent Bangladesh, and 16 December (Victory Day) memorializes the military victory over Pakistan and the official creation of the state of BangladeshPakistan Day (also referred to as Pakistan Resolution Day or Republic Day), 23 March (1940); note - commemorates both the adoption of the Lahore Resolution by the All-India Muslim League during its 22-24 March 1940 session, which called for the creation of independent Muslim states, and the adoption of the first constitution of Pakistan on 23 March 1956 during the transition to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Constitutionhistory: previous 1935, 1956, 1962 (preindependence); latest enacted 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended March 1982, restored November 1986

amendments: proposed by the House of the Nation; approval requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the House membership and assent of the president of the republic; amended many times, last in 2018
history: several previous; latest endorsed 12 April 1973, passed 19 April 1973, entered into force 14 August 1973 (suspended and restored several times)

amendments: proposed by the Senate or by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses; amended many times, last in 2018
Legal systemmixed legal system of mostly English common law and Islamic lawcommon law system with Islamic law influence
Suffrage18 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal; note - there are joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims
Executive branchchief of state: President Abdul HAMID (since 24 April 2013); note - Abdul HAMID served as acting president following the death of Zillur RAHMAN in March 2013; HAMID was subsequently indirectly elected by the National Parliament and sworn in 24 April 2013

head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wazed (since 6 January 2009)

cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister, appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 February 2018 (next to be held by 2023); the president appoints as prime minister the majority party leader in the National Parliament

election results: President Abdul HAMID (AL) reelected by the National Parliament unopposed for a second term; Sheikh HASINA reappointed prime minister as leader of the majority AL party following parliamentary elections in 2018
chief of state: President Arif ALVI (since 9 September 2018)

head of government: Prime Minister Imran KHAN (since 18 August 2018)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president upon the advice of the prime minister

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the Electoral College consisting of members of the Senate, National Assembly, and provincial assemblies for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms); election last held on 4 September 2018 (next to be held in 2023); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on 17 August 2018

election results: Arif ALVI elected president; Electoral College vote - Arif ALVI (PTI) 352, Fazl-ur-REHMAN (MMA) 184, Aitzaz AHSAN (PPP) 124; Imran KHAN elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - Imran KHAN (PTI) 176, Shehbaz SHARIF (PML-N) 96
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral House of the Nation or Jatiya Sangsad (350 seats; 300 members in single-seat territorial constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote; 50 members - reserved for women only - indirectly elected by the elected members by proportional representation vote using single transferable vote; all members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 30 December 2018 (next to be held in December 2023)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party as of January 2020 - AL 299, JP 27, BNP 7, other 10, independent 4; composition - men 277, women 73, percent of women 20.9%
description: bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of:
Senate (100 seats; members indirectly elected by the 4 provincial assemblies and the territories' representatives by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years)
National Assembly (342 seats; 272 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 70 members - 60 women and 10 non-Muslims - directly elected by proportional representation vote; all members serve 5-year terms)

elections:
Senate - bye-election held on 3 March 2021 (next to be held in March 2024)
National Assembly - last held on 25 July 2018 (next to be held on 25 July 2023)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PTI 25, PPP 21, PML-N 18, BAP 13, JU-F 5, other 13, independent 5; composition - men 80, women 20, percent of women 20%

National Assembly - percent of votes by party NA; seats by party as of December 2019 - PTI 156, PML-N 84, PPP 55, MMA 16, MQM-P 7, BAP 5, PML-Q 5, BNP 4, GDA 3, AML 1, ANP 1, JWP 1, independent 4; composition - men 273, women 69, percent of women 20.2%; note - total Parliament percent of women 20.1%
Judicial branchhighest courts: Supreme Court of Bangladesh (organized into the Appellate Division with 7 justices and the High Court Division with 99 justices)

judge selection and term of office: chief justice and justices appointed by the president; justices serve until retirement at age 67

subordinate courts: civil courts include: Assistant Judge's Court; Joint District Judge's Court; Additional District Judge's Court; District Judge's Court; criminal courts include: Court of Sessions; Court of Metropolitan Sessions; Metropolitan Magistrate Courts; Magistrate Court; special courts/tribunals
highest courts: Supreme Court of Pakistan (consists of the chief justice and 16 judges)

judge selection and term of office: justices nominated by an 8-member parliamentary committee upon the recommendation of the Judicial Commission, a 9-member body of judges and other judicial professionals, and appointed by the president; justices can serve until age 65

subordinate courts: High Courts; Federal Shariat Court; provincial and district civil and criminal courts; specialized courts for issues, such as taxation, banking, and customs
Political parties and leadersAwami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]
Bangladesh Nationalist Front or BNF [Abdul Kalam AZADI]
Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA]
Bangladesh Tariqat Federation or BTF [Syed Nozibul Bashar MAIZBHANDARI]
Jamaat-i-Islami Bangladesh or JIB (Makbul AHMAD)
Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]
Jatiya Party or JP (Manju faction) [Anwar Hossain MANJU]
Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Oli AHMED]
National Socialist Party or JSD [KHALEQUZZAMAN]
Workers Party or WP [Rashed Khan MENON]
Awami National Party or ANP [Asfandyar Wali KHAN]
Awami Muslim League or AML [Sheikh Rashid AHMED]
Balochistan Awami Party or BAP [Jam Kamal KHAN]
Balochistan National Party-Awami or BNP-A [Mir Israr Ullah ZEHRI]
Balochistan National Party-Mengal or BNP-M [Sardar Akhtar Jan MENGAL]
Grand Democratic Alliance or GDA (alliance of several parties)
Jamhoori Wattan Party or JWP [Shahzain BUGTI]
Jamaat-i Islami or JI [Sirajul HAQ]
Jamiat-i Ulema-i Islam Fazl-ur Rehman or JUI-F [Fazlur REHMAN]
Muttahida Quami Movement-London or MQM-L [Altaf HUSSAIN] (MQM split into two factions in 2016)
Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan or MQM-P [Dr. Khalid Maqbool SIDDIQUI] (MQM split into two factions in 2016)
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal or MMA [Fazl-ur- REHMAN] (alliance of several parties)
National Party or NP [Mir Hasil Khan BIZENJO]
Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party or PMAP or PkMAP [Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI]
Pakistan Muslim League-Functional or PML-F [Pir PAGARO or Syed Shah Mardan SHAH-II]
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or PML-N [Shehbaz SHARIF]
Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid-e-Azam Group or PML-Q [Chaudhry Shujaat HUSSAIN]
Pakistan Peoples Party or PPP [Bilawal BHUTTO ZARDARI, Asif Ali ZARDARI]
Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaaf or PTI (Pakistan Movement for Justice) [Imran KHAN]Pak Sarzameen Party or PSP [Mustafa KAMAL]
Quami Watan Party or QWP [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO]

note: political alliances in Pakistan shift frequently
International organization participationADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CD, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOADB, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), C, CICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-11, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador M Shahidul ISLAM (since 17 February 2021)

chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183

FAX: [1] (202) 244-2771; [1] (202) 244 7830

email address and website:
mission.washington@mofa.gov.bd

http://www.bdembassyusa.org/

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
chief of mission: Ambassador Asad Majeed KHAN (since 11 January 2019)

chancery: 3517 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 243-6500

FAX: [1] (202) 686-1534

email address and website:
consularsection@embassyofpakistanusa.org

https://embassyofpakistanusa.org/

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York

consulate(s): Louisville (KY), San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador Earl Robert MILLER (since 29 November 2018)

embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka - 1212

mailing address: 6120 Dhaka Place, Washington DC  20521-6120

telephone: [880] (2) 5566-2000

FAX: [880] (2) 5566-2907

email address and website:
DhakaACS@state.gov

https://bd.usembassy.gov/
chief of mission: ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Angela AGGELER

embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad

mailing address: 8100 Islamabad Place, Washington, DC 20521-8100

telephone: [92] 051-201-4000

FAX: [92] 51-2338071

email address and website:
ACSIslamabad@state.gov

https://pk.usembassy.gov/

consulate(s) general: Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar
Flag descriptiongreen field with a large red disk shifted slightly to the hoist side of center; the red disk represents the rising sun and the sacrifice to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush vegetation of Bangladeshgreen with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
National anthemname: "Amar Shonar Bangla" (My Golden Bengal)

lyrics/music: Rabindranath TAGORE

note: adopted 1971; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote India's national anthem
name: "Qaumi Tarana" (National Anthem)

lyrics/music: Abu-Al-Asar Hafeez JULLANDHURI/Ahmed Ghulamali CHAGLA

note: adopted 1954; also known as "Pak sarzamin shad bad" (Blessed Be the Sacred Land)
International law organization participationhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdictionaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt
National symbol(s)Bengal tiger, water lily; national colors: green, redfive-pointed star between the horns of a waxing crescent moon, jasmine; national colors: green, white
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Bangladesh

dual citizenship recognized: yes, but limited to select countries

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Pakistan

dual citizenship recognized: yes, but limited to select countries

residency requirement for naturalization: 4 out of the previous 7 years and including the 12 months preceding application

Economy

BangladeshPakistan
Economy - overview

Bangladesh's economy has grown roughly 6% per year since 2005 despite prolonged periods of political instability, poor infrastructure, endemic corruption, insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the services sector, almost half of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product.

 

Garments, the backbone of Bangladesh's industrial sector, accounted for more than 80% of total exports in FY 2016-17. The industrial sector continues to grow, despite the need for improvements in factory safety conditions. Steady export growth in the garment sector, combined with $13 billion in remittances from overseas Bangladeshis, contributed to Bangladesh's rising foreign exchange reserves in FY 2016-17. Recent improvements to energy infrastructure, including the start of liquefied natural gas imports in 2018, represent a major step forward in resolving a key growth bottleneck.

Decades of internal political disputes and low levels of foreign investment have led to underdevelopment in Pakistan. Pakistan has a large English-speaking population, with English-language skills less prevalent outside urban centers. Despite some progress in recent years in both security and energy, a challenging security environment, electricity shortages, and a burdensome investment climate have traditionally deterred investors. Agriculture accounts for one-fifth of output and two-fifths of employment. Textiles and apparel account for more than half of Pakistan's export earnings; Pakistan's failure to diversify its exports has left the country vulnerable to shifts in world demand. Pakistan's GDP growth has gradually increased since 2012, and was 5.3% in 2017. Official unemployment was 6% in 2017, but this fails to capture the true picture, because much of the economy is informal and underemployment remains high. Human development continues to lag behind most of the region.

In 2013, Pakistan embarked on a $6.3 billion IMF Extended Fund Facility, which focused on reducing energy shortages, stabilizing public finances, increasing revenue collection, and improving its balance of payments position. The program concluded in September 2016. Although Pakistan missed several structural reform criteria, it restored macroeconomic stability, improved its credit rating, and boosted growth. The Pakistani rupee has remained relatively stable against the US dollar since 2015, though it declined about 10% between November 2017 and March 2018. Balance of payments concerns have reemerged, however, as a result of a significant increase in imports and weak export and remittance growth.

Pakistan must continue to address several longstanding issues, including expanding investment in education, healthcare, and sanitation; adapting to the effects of climate change and natural disasters; improving the country's business environment; and widening the country's tax base. Given demographic challenges, Pakistan's leadership will be pressed to implement economic reforms, promote further development of the energy sector, and attract foreign investment to support sufficient economic growth necessary to employ its growing and rapidly urbanizing population, much of which is under the age of 25.

In an effort to boost development, Pakistan and China are implementing the "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor" (CPEC) with $60 billion in investments targeted towards energy and other infrastructure projects. Pakistan believes CPEC investments will enable growth rates of over 6% of GDP by laying the groundwork for increased exports. CPEC-related obligations, however, have raised IMF concern about Pakistan's capital outflows and external financing needs over the medium term.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$775.076 billion (2019 est.)

$716.65 billion (2018 est.)

$664.403 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$1,015,796,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,005,850,000,000 (2018 est.)

$950.381 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
data are for fiscal years
GDP - real growth rate7.4% (2017 est.)

7.2% (2016 est.)

6.8% (2015 est.)
5.4% (2017 est.)

4.6% (2016 est.)

4.1% (2015 est.)

note: data are for fiscal years
GDP - per capita (PPP)$4,754 (2019 est.)

$4,441 (2018 est.)

$4,161 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$4,690 (2019 est.)

$4,740 (2018 est.)

$4,571 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 14.2% (2017 est.)

industry: 29.3% (2017 est.)

services: 56.5% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 24.4% (2016 est.)

industry: 19.1% (2016 est.)

services: 56.5% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line24.3% (2016 est.)24.3% (2015 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.)
lowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 26.1% (FY2013)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)5.5% (2019 est.)

5.5% (2018 est.)

5.6% (2017 est.)
9.3% (2019 est.)

5.2% (2018 est.)

4.2% (2017 est.)
Labor force66.64 million (2017 est.)

note: extensive migration of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia
61.71 million (2017 est.)

note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 42.7%

industry: 20.5%

services: 36.9% (2016 est.)
agriculture: 42.3%

industry: 22.6%

services: 35.1% (FY2015 est.)
Unemployment rate4.4% (2017 est.)

4.4% (2016 est.)

note: about 40% of the population is underemployed; many persons counted as employed work only a few hours a week and at low wages
6% (2017 est.)

6% (2016 est.)

note: Pakistan has substantial underemployment
Distribution of family income - Gini index32.4 (2016 est.)

33.2 (2005)
33.5 (2015 est.)

30.9 (FY2011)
Budgetrevenues: 25.1 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 33.5 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 46.81 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 64.49 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are for fiscal years
Industriesjute, cotton, garments, paper, leather, fertilizer, iron and steel, cement, petroleum products, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, tea, salt, sugar, edible oils, soap and detergent, fabricated metal products, electricity, natural gastextiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp
Industrial production growth rate10.2% (2017 est.)5.4% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productsrice, potatoes, maize, sugar cane, milk, vegetables, onions, jute, mangoes/guavas, wheatsugar cane, buffalo milk, wheat, milk, rice, maize, potatoes, cotton, fruit, mangoes/guavas
Exports$33.057 billion (2019 est.)

$29.798 billion (2018 est.)

$27.568 billion (2017 est.)
$31.517 billion (2019 est.)

$27.604 billion (2018 est.)

$25.613 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - commoditiesclothing, knitwear, leather footwear (2019)textiles, clothing and apparel, rice, leather goods, surgical instruments (2019)
Exports - partnersUnited States 15%, Germany 14%, United Kingdom 8%, Spain 7%, France 7% (2019)United States 14%, China 8%, Germany 7%, United Kingdom 6% (2019)
Imports$44.801 billion (2019 est.)

$45.725 billion (2018 est.)

$36.001 billion (2017 est.)
$42.27 billion (2019 est.)

$51.602 billion (2018 est.)

$47.165 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - commoditiesrefined petroleum, cotton, natural gas, scrap iron, wheat (2019)refined petroleum, crude petroleum, natural gas, palm oil, scrap iron (2019)
Imports - partnersChina 31%, India 15%, Singapore 5% (2019)China 28%, United Arab Emirates 11%, United States 5% (2019)
Debt - external$50.26 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$41.85 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$107.527 billion (2019 est.)

$95.671 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange ratestaka (BDT) per US dollar -

84.75 (2020 est.)

85 (2019 est.)

83.715 (2018 est.)

77.947 (2014 est.)

77.614 (2013 est.)
Pakistani rupees (PKR) per US dollar -

160.425 (2020 est.)

155.04 (2019 est.)

138.8 (2018 est.)

102.769 (2014 est.)

101.1 (2013 est.)
Fiscal year1 July - 30 June1 July - 30 June
Public debt33.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

33.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
67% of GDP (2017 est.)

67.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$33.42 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$32.28 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$18.46 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$22.05 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance-$5.322 billion (2017 est.)

$1.391 billion (2016 est.)
-$7.143 billion (2019 est.)

-$19.482 billion (2018 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$329.545 billion (2020 est.)$253.183 billion (2019 est.)
Credit ratingsFitch rating: BB- (2014)

Moody's rating: Ba3 (2012)

Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2010)
Fitch rating: B- (2018)

Moody's rating: B3 (2015)

Standard & Poors rating: B- (2019)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 45 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 82.4 (2020)

Trading score: 31.8 (2020)

Enforcement score: 22.2 (2020)
Overall score: 61 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 89.3 (2020)

Trading score: 68.8 (2020)

Enforcement score: 43.5 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues9.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)15.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-3.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-5.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 12.8%

male: 10.8%

female: 16.8% (2017 est.)
total: 7.8%

male: 8.2%

female: 6.8% (2018 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 68.7% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 6% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 30.5% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 15% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -20.3% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 82% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 11.3% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 14.5% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.6% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 8.2% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -17.6% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving35.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

33.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

35.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
12.3% of GDP (2019 est.)

12.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

13% of GDP (2017 est.)

note: data are for fiscal years

Energy

BangladeshPakistan
Electricity - production60.51 billion kWh (2016 est.)109.7 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption53.65 billion kWh (2016 est.)92.33 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports0 kWh (2016 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports0 kWh (2016 est.)490 million kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production3,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)90,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports21,860 bbl/day (2015 est.)168,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)13,150 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - proved reserves28 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)332.2 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves185.8 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)588.8 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - production29.53 billion cu m (2017 est.)39.05 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption29.53 billion cu m (2017 est.)45.05 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports0 cu m (2017 est.)6.003 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity11.9 million kW (2016 est.)26.9 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels97% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)62% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)27% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)5% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)7% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production26,280 bbl/day (2015 est.)291,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption106,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)557,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports901 bbl/day (2015 est.)25,510 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports81,570 bbl/day (2015 est.)264,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 83% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 93% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 77% (2019)
electrification - total population: 79% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 91% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 72% (2019)

Telecommunications

BangladeshPakistan
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 1,449,646

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 2,461,916

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.08 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 165.572 million

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 102.87 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 165,405,847

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 72.33 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.bd.pk
Internet userstotal: 23,917,950

percent of population: 15% (July 2018 est.)
total: 34,734,689

percent of population: 15.51% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment:

Bangladesh's economic constraints hinder network infrastructure, resulting in the lowest fixed-line penetration rate in South Asia and a very low fixed broadband rate; most consumers utilize mobile broadband for data on LTE networks but rates are still well below that of most other Asian countries; the government approved a modernization project to support investment and prepare for 5G launches; 2020 test of 5G technology in Dhaka; government directive allows IoT for smart buildings and automation industries; government project aims to provide network to services and schools; importer of broadcasting equipment from China  (2021)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line teledensity remains less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly and now exceeds 101 telephones per 100 persons; mobile subscriber growth is anticipated over the next five years to 2023; strong local competition (2019)

international: country code - 880; landing points for the SeaMeWe-4 and SeaMeWe-5 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 6; international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

general assessment:

Pakistan's telecom market recently transitioned from a regulated state-owned monopoly to a deregulated competitive structure, now aided by foreign investment; moderate growth over the last six years, supported by a young population and a rising use of mobile services; telecom infrastructure is improving, with investments in mobile-cellular networks, fixed-line subscriptions declining; system consists of microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, cellular, and satellite networks; 4G mobile services broadly available; 5G tests ongoing; data centers in major cities; mobile and broadband doing well and dominate over fixed-broadband sector; China-Pakistan Fiber Optic Project became operational in 2020; partner to Chinese Economic Corridor project; importer of broadcasting equipment and computers from China (2021)

(2020)

domestic: mobile-cellular subscribership has skyrocketed; more than 90% of Pakistanis live within areas that have cell phone coverage; fiber-optic networks are being constructed throughout the country to increase broadband access, though broadband penetration in Pakistan is still relatively low; fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 76 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 92; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3, -4, -5, AAE-1, IMEWE, Orient Express, PEACE Cable, and TW1 submarine cable systems that provide links to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational international gateway exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 8,085,500

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5.02 (2019 est.)
total: 1,760,870

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2018 est.)
Broadcast mediastate-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV) broadcasts throughout the country. Some channels, such as BTV World, operate via satellite. The government also owns a medium wave radio channel and some private FM radio broadcast news channels. Of the 41 Bangladesh approved TV stations, 26 are currently being used to broadcast. Of those, 23 operate under private management via cable distribution. Collectively, TV channels can reach more than 50 million people across the country.media is government regulated; 1 dominant state-owned TV broadcaster, Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), operates a network consisting of 8 channels; private TV broadcasters are permitted; to date 69 foreign satellite channels are operational; the state-owned radio network operates more than 30 stations; nearly 200 commercially licensed, privately owned radio stations provide programming mostly limited to music and talk shows (2019)

Transportation

BangladeshPakistan
Railwaystotal: 2,460 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 1,801 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

broad gauge: 659 km 1.676-m gauge (2014)
total: 11,881 km (2019)

narrow gauge: 389 km 1.000-m gauge (2019)

broad gauge: 11,492 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified) (2019)
Roadwaystotal: 369,105 km (2018)

paved: 110,311 km (2018)

unpaved: 258,794 km (2018)
total: 263,775 km (2019)

paved: 185,063 km (includes 708 km of expressways) (2019)

unpaved: 78,712 km (2019)
Pipelines2950 km gas (2013)12,984 km gas, 3,470 km oil, 1,170 km refined products (2019)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Chattogram (Chittagong)

container port(s) (TEUs): Chattogram (Chittagong) (3,088,187) (2019)

river port(s): Mongla Port (Sela River)
major seaport(s): Karachi, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim

container port(s) (TEUs): Karachi (2,097,855) (2019)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Port Qasim
Merchant marinetotal: 427

by type: bulk carrier 46, container ship 4, general cargo 118, oil tanker 142, other 117 (2020)
total: 57

by type: bulk carrier 5, oil tanker 7, other 45 (2020)
Airportstotal: 18 (2013)total: 151 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 16 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 2 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)

under 914 m: 5 (2017)
total: 108 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 15 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 43 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 20 (2017)

under 914 m: 10 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

under 914 m: 1 (2013)
total: 43 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2013)

under 914 m: 24 (2013)
Heliports3 (2013)23 (2013)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 6 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 30

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 5,984,155 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 63.82 million mt-km (2018)
number of registered air carriers: 5 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 52

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 6,880,637 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 217.53 million mt-km (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefixS2AP

Military

BangladeshPakistan
Military branchesBangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force; Ministry of Home Affairs: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Coast Guard, Rapid Action Battalion, Ansars, Village Defense Party (VDP) (2021)

note: the Rapid Action Battalion, Ansars, and VDP are paramilitary organizations for internal security
Pakistan Army (includes National Guard), Pakistan Navy (includes Marine forces, Maritime Security Agency), Pakistan Air Force (Pakistan Fizaia); Ministry of Interior paramilitary forces: Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers (2021)

note:  the National Guard is a paramilitary force and one of the Army's reserve forces, along with the Pakistan Army Reserve, the Frontier Corps, and the Pakistan Rangers
Military service age and obligation16-21 years of age for voluntary military service; Bangladeshi nationality and 10th grade education required; officers: 17-21 years of age, Bangladeshi nationality, and 12th grade education required (2018)16-23 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed for combat until age 18; women serve in all three armed forces; reserve obligation to age 45 for enlisted men, age 50 for officers (2019)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP1.3% of GDP (2019)

1.3% of GDP (2018)

1.2% of GDP (2017)

1.4% of GDP (2016)

1.4% of GDP (2015)
4% of GDP (2019)

4.1% of GDP (2018)

3.8% of GDP (2017)

3.6% of GDP (2016)

3.6% of GDP (2015)
Military and security service personnel strengthsinformation varies; approximately 165,000 total active personnel (135,000 Army; 15,000 Navy; 15,000 Air Force) (2021)information varies; approximately 640,000 active personnel (550,000 Army; 30,000 Navy; 60,000 Air Force) (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe Bangladesh Defense Force inventory is comprised of mostly Chinese and Russian equipment; since 2010, China is the leading supplier of arms to Bangladesh; Bangladesh is currently undertaking a significant defense modernization program, with a focus on naval acquisitions (2020)the Pakistan military inventory includes a broad mix of equipment, primarily from China, France, Ukraine, the UK, and the US; since 2010, China and the US are the leading suppliers of arms to Pakistan; Pakistan also has a large domestic defense industry (2020)
Military deploymentsBangladesh is one of the leading contributors to UN peacekeeping missions since it joined the UN in 1974; as of mid-2021, it had about 5,300 troops deployed, including: 1,225 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,400 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 115 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 1,330 Mali (MINUSMA); 1,450 South Sudan (UNMISS) ( mid-2021)1,240 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,950 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 150 Mali (MINUSMA); 900 Sudan (UNAMID) (Jan 2021)

Transnational Issues

BangladeshPakistan
Disputes - international

Bangladesh referred its maritime boundary claims with Burma and India to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea; Indian Prime Minister Singh's September 2011 visit to Bangladesh resulted in the signing of a Protocol to the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh, which had called for the settlement of longstanding boundary disputes over undemarcated areas and the exchange of territorial enclaves, but which had never been implemented; Bangladesh struggles to accommodate 912,000 Rohingya, Burmese Muslim minority from Rakhine State, living as refugees in Cox's Bazar; Burmese border authorities are constructing a 200 km (124 mi) wire fence designed to deter illegal cross-border transit and tensions from the military build-up along border

various talks and confidence-building measures cautiously have begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, particularly since the October 2005 earthquake in the region; Kashmir nevertheless remains the site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan has maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; India and Pakistan have maintained their 2004 cease-fire in Kashmir and initiated discussions on defusing the armed standoff in the Siachen glacier region; Pakistan protests India's fencing the highly militarized Line of Control and construction of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of the larger dispute on water sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries; to defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan seek technical resolution of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch in the Arabian Sea; Pakistani maps continue to show the Junagadh claim in India's Gujarat State; since 2002, with UN assistance, Pakistan has repatriated 3.8 million Afghan refugees, leaving about 2.6 million; Pakistan has sent troops across and built fences along some remote tribal areas of its treaty-defined Durand Line border with Afghanistan, which serve as bases for foreign terrorists and other illegal activities; Afghan, Coalition, and Pakistan military meet periodically to clarify the alignment of the boundary on the ground and on maps

Illicit drugstransit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countriessignificant transit area for Afghan drugs, including heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish, bound for Iran, Western markets, the Gulf States, Africa, and Asia; financial crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems; opium poppy cultivation estimated to be 930 hectares in 2015; federal and provincial authorities continue to conduct anti-poppy campaigns that utilizes forced eradication, fines, and arrests
Refugees and internally displaced personsrefugees (country of origin): 884,041 (Burma) (2021) (includes an estimated 733,343 Rohingya refugees who have fled conflict since 25 August 2017)

IDPs: 427,000 (conflict, development, human rights violations, religious persecution, natural disasters) (2020)

stateless persons: 866,457 (2020)
refugees (country of origin): 2.58-2.68 million (1.4 million registered, 1.18-1.28 million undocumented) (Afghanistan) (2017)

IDPs: 104,000 (primarily those who remain displaced by counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations and violent conflict between armed non-state groups in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber-Paktunkwa Province; more than 1 million displaced in northern Waziristan in 2014; individuals also have been displaced by repeated monsoon floods) (2020)

Terrorism

BangladeshPakistan
Terrorist Group(s)Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami/Bangladesh; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in Bangladesh; al-Qa'ida; al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T
Haqqani Network; Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami; Harakat ul-Mujahidin; Hizbul Mujahideen; Indian Mujahedeen; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan; Islamic State of ash-Sham - India; Islamic State of ash-Sham - Pakistan; Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan; Jaish-e-Mohammed; Jaysh al Adl (Jundallah); Lashkar i Jhangvi; Lashkar-e Tayyiba; Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan; al-Qa'ida; al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T

Environment

BangladeshPakistan
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 58.33 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 84.25 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 59.3 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 55.21 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 201.15 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 142.12 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 3.6 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 770 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 31.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 9.65 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 1.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 172.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 0.1% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0.06% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 14,778,497 tons (2012 est.)municipal solid waste generated annually: 30.76 million tons (2017 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,460,800 tons (2017 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2017 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook