Wheat is the staple crop, and sugarcane is widely grown. Cotton and rice are the major export crops. The number of livestock per person is high, but the production of meat and milk remains low because of inadequate feed and poor management. Goats and sheep are the most numerous animals, followed by cattle, buffalo, and camels. A woman's place in society is low, and she is restricted to domestic chores and to fulfilling the role of a dutiful wife and mother.
Social structure revolves around kinship rather than caste.
The elders of a lineage constitute a council that settles disputes and represents the lineage to the outside world. Hinduism and Christianity form the leading minority religions. The Pakistani constitution defines the country as an Islamic nation but guarantees freedom of religion. In reality, however, there is much persecution of Christians. The constitution provides for five years of free primary education, but less than half of all children actually receive it.