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Economy

Pakistan in the Commonwealth

did you know?

• Pakistan has been a member of the Commonwealth since 1947, however it left temporarily in 1972, later rejoining in 1989
• Pakistan became an independent country on the 14th of August 1947
• Pakistan has been competing in the Commonwealth Games since 1954, and has won 60 medals in total
• Cricketers Imran Khan and Wasim Akram, both born in Lahore, Punjab, achieved the 'all-rounder's double' and Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World
• This country hosts a national chapter of the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council
• Pakistan has experienced the fastest growth in mobile phone use in the Commonwealth; compound annual growth in subscriptions of 116% was recorded over 2002-07

Senior Commonwealth officers

• Rumman Faruqi, former Director of Economic Affairs, Commonwealth Secretariat
• Zahir Kaleem, Executive Director, Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators, established by Commonwealth finance ministers in 1978 to promote the improvement of tax administration
• Kasmala Tariq, a Member of the Pakistan National Assembly since 2002, Chair, Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association 2007

Commonwealth meetings hosted

• 1994 Twelfth Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers in Islamabad

Commonwealth Projects

Assessment Mission to Pakistan (2007/08)
This mission, which was commissioned by the Commonwealth Secretariat, involved meeting with the Electoral Commission of Pakistan to discuss arrangements for a Commonwealth Observer Group (COG). Meeting were also held with the main political parties and civil society to assess whether there would be broad support for the presence of Commonwealth observers and making initial organisational arrangements for a COG.

Small Industries ICT Competitiveness Development (2007/08)
Technical assistance was provided on behalf of the Commonwealth Secretariat to the Sindh Provincial Government of Pakistan to improve the global competitiveness of SMEs in the handicraft sector. The strategy was to improve access to finance, marketing and distribution services, and also supported the use of ICT by handicraft SMEs. Through this support the assistance played a meaningful role in poverty alleviation and the development of women-owned SMEs.

Assistance to Pakistan Regional Dialogue on Elections (2005/06)
Five experts from regional domestic observer bodies attended a regional workshop on 'best electoral practices' held by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency.

Integrated Marketing Programme for Women Entrepreneurs in Britain and Germany (1993)
The Commonwealth was involved in a major trade promotion event involving product upgrading and adaptation, market investigations and test marketing, and an export mission of eight women entrepreneurs to establish commercial contact with British and German buyers. In all nine women participated in this project, and the project met its objectives.

Technical and Vocational (Environment) Expert, National Institute of Science and Technology (1999)
This advisory project, which was commissioned by the Commonwealth Secretariat, involved the appointment of a long-term expert to the National Institute of Science and Technology to assist in reviewing curricula and integrating environment components into training programmes, as well as training teachers.

Regional Cooperation

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) provides a platform for the peoples of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding.

OIC Flag

Pakistan is member of the OIC, an inter-governmental organization of fifty-seven States working to safeguard the interest and ensure the progress of their people and other Muslims the world over.