Agriculture is the mainstay of economy in Pakistan.  About 50 percent of the population is involved in farming, forestry and fishing that together contribute to 25 percent of the GDP.  Barring the regions  of north and the west, which are covered by mountains, the rest of the country has fertile plains where crops like wheat, cotton, maize, sugar cane and rice are grown.  The areas of Quetta and Kalat are known for their fruits and dates.  Pakistan is self-sufficient in wheat, rice and sugar.

Urdu is the only official language of Pakistan.  Although English is generally used instead of Urdu in this regard.  English is the lingua franca of the Pakistan elite and most of the government ministries.  Urdu is closely related to Hindi but is written in an extended Arabic alphabet rather than in Devanagari.  Urdu also has more loans from Arabic and Persian than Hindi has.

Islam is practised by the majority of Pakistanis and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives.  Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening.  Friday is the Muslim holy day.  Everything is closed.  During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day.  Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking or gum chewing.

The extended family is the basis of the social structure and individual identity.  It includes the nuclear family, immediate relatives, distant relatives, tribe members, friends and neighbours.  Loyalty to the family comes before other social relationships even business.  Female relatives are protected from outside influences.  It is considered inappropriate to ask questions about a Pakistani's wife or other female relatives.

Male friends often walk holding hands or with their arms around each other, but men and women hardly ever display any form of physical affection in public.  There is a fair amount of touching between men and men and women and women during conversations.  This is not the case between genders.

Pakistani's tend to favour a mix of indirect and direct communication.  When speaking to people older than oneself, the style is mostly indirect.  When speaking to people one's own age or younger, the style is usually direct. 

Avoid talking about Islamic religion in an insulting manner.  Even slight criticism or humor is to be avoided at all costs.  Humor plays a part in communicating but it's best avoided using it until a friendship is established.  Sarcasm does not usually translate well and it's best to not make jokes about ethnic and/or religious issues.  It tends to be considered acceptable to interrupt and talk over people during conversations.  When asked to do something it's best to avoid answering with a direct "no".  The better answer could be something like "I will try" or "it's possible".  Pakistanis will often answer with "Inshallah" or "God Willing".  

If invited to a Pakistani's home, bring the hostess a small gift such as flowers or quality chocolates.  Men should avoid giving flowers to women.  Do not give white flowers as they are used at weddings.  If a man must give a gift to a woman, he should say that it is from his wife, mother, sister, or some other female relative.  Do not give alcohol.  Gifts are also opened when received.  Gifts are given with two hands.

If you are invited to a home you will most likely have to remove your shoes.  Check to see if the host is wearing shoes.  If not, remove yours at the door.  You also need to dress conservatively and may arrive an hour later than the stipulated time when invited to a party.  Guests are served first, then the oldest, continuing in some rough approximation of age order until the youngest is served.  You will be urged to take second and even third helpings.  Saying "I'm full" will be taken as a polite gesture and not accepted at face value.