Pakistan too is grappling with the curse of corruption like most Asian nations. Pakistan, along with the Philippines, stood 92nd with a score of 2.5 on the corruption index.

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has acknowledged that corruption had 'eaten the nation like termites from within.' He has launched some institutional reforms to fight corruption.

On the IT readiness front, Pakistan ranks 76th, with a score of 3.03.

The nation's economy is primarily agrarian, but manufacturing too is growing.

Yet, Pakistan continues to be plagued with corruption, internal political disputes, lack of foreign investment, and a weak foreign exchange position.

Pakistanis wave their national flag as they celebrate the eve of their country's Independence Day in Rawalpindi on August 13, 2003.

Photograph: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images