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Pakistan is in a tricky situation. It is under constant scrutiny by the world media but is more often than not described in terms of its problems.
There are indeed difficulties - bordering the unsettled nations of Afghanistan and Iran puts it in a precarious position. A poor and badly educated population for the most part is not helping the country's growth.
There is hope.
The wealth of natural resources, a growing, urban population and a more democratic government all point to a positive future.
But with the NATO withdrawal from its troubled neighbours nearing, Pakistan's survival hangs in the balance.
Simon Long's special report includes the following sections:
Perilous Journey
Too close for comfort
State of vulnerability
Captain's innings
In the shadow of the mosque
Lights off
A taste of Hunny
Always with us
Dripping with blood
Going with the flow
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Simon Long, Asia columinst, took up this post, based in Singapore, in August 2010. Before that, he had worked in London for four years, as the magazine's Asia editor, and for four years prior to that as South Asia bureau chief based in Delhi.
He joined The Economist in 1995, as South-East Asia correspondent, based in Bangkok. In 1998 he returned to London as finance and economics editor. In 2000 he became the deputy head of Global Agenda, The Economist's updated internet service, before moving to Delhi. He had previously spent nine years with the BBC, as an analyst on East Asian affairs based in London, as Beijing correspondent from 1989-1991, and Hong Kong correspondent from 1993. He wrote extensively for the Guardian newspaper, and many other outlets. He was for a number of years the author of Economist Intelligence Unit country reports on China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
In an earlier career as an investment banker, with Morgan Grenfell, he worked in London and Singapore, rising to the position of senior assistant director, responsible for the banking division's Asian business.
