Agriculture is the mainstay of Pakistan's economy, employing almost 50% of the population.

Wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane, and tobacco are the chief crops, and cattle and sheep are raised. Most of Pakistan's agricultural output comes from the Indus basin. The country is now self-sufficient in food, as vast irrigation schemes have extended farming into arid areas, and fertilizers and new varieties of crops have increased yields.

Pakistan's industrial base is able to supply many of the country's needs in consumer goods, although production has slowed in recent years.

The country's natural resources provide materials for such industries as textile production (the biggest earner of foreign exchange), oil refining, metal processing, and cement and fertilizer production.

Remittances from Pakistanis working abroad constitute the second largest source of foreign exchange.

Since the mid-1950s electric power output has greatly increased, mainly because of the development of hydroelectric power potential and the use of thermal power plants.

Pakistan's chief imports are petroleum, machinery, transport equipment, chemicals and edible fats and oils.

The chief trading partners are the European Union nations, the United States, Japan, and China. In 2002, Pakistan has restored good relations with most of the international financial institutions and had managed to greatly improve its fiscal and foreign exchange situation.

Economy in growth mode. FY02 3.1%, FY03 5.1%, FY04 6.4%.

Economist consensus is future growth rate increases.

Post 2005 Quota Free world- Pakistan is a major sourcing center for textiles.

Fourth fastest growing economy in Asia