Despite recent economic growth, Pakistan is still one of the worst performers in South Asia in terms of human development indicators. Pakistan is struggling with high inflation and is hit by economic crises. Areas along Pakistan’s borders have become more vulnerable since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan. International relations are also a persistent issue, particularly with regard to the neighbouring countries of India and Afghanistan, with which Pakistan has unresolved border disputes that result in military action.
The country has a long history of hosting refugees: approximately 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees reside in host communities in Pakistan. Recently, shortly after the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, a further 5,000 or so Afghan refugees entered Pakistan.
Pakistan is also regularly affected by natural disasters: in 2005, an earthquake displaced three million people; and in 2010, more than 20 million people were affected by severe flooding.
Despite the fact that Pakistan has signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, very little data is available to determine the extent of disability in Pakistan.
Number of HI staff: 30
Programme launch date: 1984
