Those who are trained in theology are given the title of mullah or maulana or collectively, ulma. Pirs who occupy high positions in the pir h hierarchy wield great power and play an influential role in public affairs. The number of Hindus in Pakistan was greatly reduced as consequence of the exodus of refugees to India in 1947. Both Hindus and Christians constitute about 2 to 3 percentage of the population. The exploration of Pakistan's mineral wealth is far from complete, but more than 20 different types of minerals have been located.
Coal mining is one of the country's oldest industries.
The quality of coal s poor, and the mines work below capacity because of the lack of demand. Iron ore deposits are also mostly of poor quality. The most extensive known reserves are situated in the Kalabagh region in western Punjab. Deposits of copper ore, equaling or surpassing the reserves of iron ore, have been located, but most sites remain unexploited. There are enormous reserves of easily exploited limestone that form the basis of a growing cement industry, the largest component of the manufacturing sector.