Asylum countries of origin: Pakistan

The facts and figures behind Pakistan, the ninth top country by applicant for asylum in the UK in 2002.

In 2002 some 2,440 people from Pakistan applied for asylum in the UK - a drop of 15% on the previous year.

Of the 2,505 cases considered during the year, 125 were granted refugee status and a further 75 were given leave to remain. Some 2,135 cases remained rejected after an appeal.

Pakistan has had a military government since a bloodless coup in 1999.

President Pervez Musharraf has pledged to return the country to normality but Pakistan is beset by enormous law and order problems.

The southern province of Sindh is beset with ethnic strife while the unresolved issue of Kashmir brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war in 2002.

Pakistan has gained some international recognition by siding with the United States over war in Afghanistan, a move which led to widespread protests.

According to Amnesty International, Pakistan conceded in 2001 that torture or the use of force was regularly used by the police.

PAKISTAN FACTS

Population: 153 million

Capital: Islamabad

Main religion: Islam

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The government has since said officers who use torture will be held responsible.

A frequent complaint is that there is a lack of religious freedom in Pakistan.

Amnesty reserves particular criticism for what it says is Pakistan's failure to protect women.

"Several hundred girls and women were killed for allegedly shaming their families," said its 2002 report.

"Their supposedly immoral behaviour included marrying men of their own choice or seeking a divorce."

Homosexuality and co-habitation by unmarried couples remains illegal.