<P> Endowed with coastal access, Sindh is a major centre of economic activity in Pakistan and has a highly diversified economy ranging from heavy industry and finance centred in and around Karachi to a substantial agricultural base along the Indus . Manufacturing includes machine products, cement, plastics, and other goods . </P> <P> Sindh is Pakistan's most natural gas producing province . </P> <P> Agriculture is very important in Sindh with cotton, rice, wheat, sugar cane, dates, bananas, and mangoes as the most important crops . The largest and finer quality of rice produced in Larkano district Sindh is the richest province of Pakistan in natural resources of gas, petrol, and coal . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Year </Th> <Th> Literacy rate </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1972 </Td> <Td> 60.77 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1981 </Td> <Td> 37.5% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1998 </Td> <Td> 45.29% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2008 </Td> <Td> 60.7% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2012 </Td> <Td> 69.50% </Td> </Tr> </Table>

List of urban and rural areas of sindh