The province of the Punjab occupies the central position in the economic geography of Pakistan. The total area of the Punjab is around 205,344 square km or 26 percent land area of Pakistan and with a population exceeding 82 million, approximately 56% of the country’s total population. The Punjab has the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) i.e., 57 per cent in the economy of Pakistan or US$ 104 billion by 2011, which is steadily growing. The literacy rate of the Punjab is 60 percent at present. There are six districts in the Punjab that have above 70 percent literacy rate, making a difference to overall 55 percent literacy of the country.
The province connects well with all three provinces in addition to Azad Kashmir, the strategic strong-hold of the Federation of Pakistan.
Strategic Perspectives Through Research and Dialogue
