Information AboutPakistan |
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|native_name = ''Islāmī Jamhūriya-i-Pākistān'' |conventional_long_name = Islamic Republic of Pakistan |common_name = Pakistan |image_flag = Flag of Pakistan.svg |image_coat = Pakistan emblem.jpg |symbol_type = State Emblem |national_motto = Iman, Ittehad, Nazm ( English : Faith, Unity, Discipline) |image_map = PakistanWorldMap.JPG|Location of Pakistan |national_anthem = Qaumi Tarana (National Anthem)12 |official_languages = Urdu and English |capital = Islamabad |latd = 33|latm=40|latNS=N|longd=73|longm=10|longEW=E |government_type = Federal Republic |leader_titles = President Prime Minister |leader_names = Pervez Musharraf Shaukat Aziz |largest_city = Karachi |area = 880,254 |areami&2= 339,778 |area_rank = 34th |area_magnitude = |percent_water = 3.1 |population_estimate = 163,985,373 World Gazetteer population estimate for 2006 |population_estimate_year = 2006 |population_estimate_rank = 6th |population_census = |population_census_year = |population_density = 186 |population_densitymi&2 = 483 |population_density_rank = 42nd |GDP_PPP_year = 2005 |GDP_PPP = $385.2 billion |GDP_PPP_rank = 26th |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $2,388 |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 135th |HDI_year = 2003 |HDI = 0.527 |HDI_rank = 135th |HDI_category = medium |sovereignty_type = Independence |established_events = - Declared - Republic |established_dates = From the United Kingdom 1947-08-14 1956-03-23 |currency = Rupee (Rs.) |currency_code = PKR |time_zone = PST |utc_offset = +5:00 |time_zone_DST = not observed |utc_offset_DST = +5:00 |cctld = .pk |calling_code = 92 |footnotes = }} The Islamic Republic of Pakistan () is a country located in South Asia that overlaps with the Greater Middle East . It has a thousand-kilometre coastline along the Arabian Sea in the south and borders Afghanistan and Iran to the west, India to the east and the People's Republic Of China in the far northeast.The Kashmir region is claimed by India and Pakistan. Both countries and China separately administer parts of the region with the Indian- and Pakistani-held areas defined by the Line Of Control . The Pakistan–China border is not recognized by India. The name Pakistan (, 1933 ] as an Acronym of the names of the "Muslim homelands" of western India — '''P''' for Punjab , '''A''' for ''Afghania'' (the Afghan areas), '''K''' for Kashmir , '''S''' for Sindh and '''tan''' for Balochistan . An '''i''' was later added to the English rendition of the name to ease pronunciation. Pakistan is the Sixth Most Populous Country in the world and the second most populous Muslim country. Pakistan was established as a modern state in 1947, but the region has a long history of settlement and civilisation including some of the most Ancient Cultures . The region was invaded by Afghans , Greeks , Persians , Arabs , and was incorporated into British Raj in the nineteenth century. Since independence, Pakistan has seen both instability, with the loss of East Pakistan , and significant military and economic growth. Pakistan has the seventh largest armed forces in the world and is a Declared Nuclear Weapons State . History See Also: History of Pakistan The modern state of Pakistan was created in 1947, but the region has an extensive ancient history that overlaps with the histories of empire. The Indo-Greek Kingdom of Demetrius Of Bactria included Gandhara and Punjab from 184 BCE, establishing the Greco-Buddhist period with advances in trade and culture and the city of Taxila (Takshashila) became a major centre of learning. In 712 CE, the Arab general and Multan in southern Punjab , setting the stage for several successive Muslim empires including the Ghaznavid Empire , the Ghorid Kingdom, the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire . During this period Sufi missionaries played a pivotal role in converting a majority of the regional population to Islam . The gradual decline of the Mughal Empire in the early eighteenth century provided opportunities for the Afghans , Balochis and Sikhs to exercise control over large areas until the British East India Company Library of Congress study of Pakistan gained ascendancy over the South Asia. Badshahi Masjid built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Lahore ]] (left) with Mahatma Gandhi (right) in Bombay (now Mumbai ) in 1944.]] The 1857 . Muhammad Ali Jinnah espoused the '' Two Nation Theory '' and led the Muslim League to adopt the '' Lahore Resolution '' Jang.com page on the Lahore Resolution of 1940, which led to the independence in 1947. Pakistan was formed on ) and the Indo-Pakistani War Of 1971 and ultimately the secession of East Pakistan as the independent state of Bangladesh . US Country Studies article on the Bangladesh War Civilian rule resumed from 1972 to 1977 under , 2005 ] and an estimated 3.3 million left homeless in Pakistan. Government and politics The first Constitution Of Pakistan was adopted in 1956, but was suspended in 1958 by Ayub Khan. The Constitution of 1973, suspended in 1977 by Zia-ul-Haq , was re-instated in 1991 and is the most important document laying the foundations of government in the country. Pakistan is a Federal Republic with Islam as the state religion. The Semi-presidential System includes a Bicameral legislature consisting of a 100-member Senate and a 342-member National Assembly . The President is the Head Of State and the Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces and is elected by an Electoral College . The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the largest party in the National Assembly. Each province has a similar system of government with a directly elected Provincial Assembly in which the leader of the largest party or alliance becomes Chief Minister. Provincial Governors are selected by the Provincial Assemblies on the advice of the Chief Minister. ]] The Muslim League's leadership of Pakistani politics reduced significantly with the rise of other political parties, especially the Awami League in East Bengal, which would lead the creation of Bangladesh. The Pakistani Military have played an influential role in mainstream politics throughout Pakistan's history, with military presidents ruling from 1958–71, 1977–88 and from 1999 onwards. The leftist Pakistan People's Party , led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto , emerged as a major political player during the 1970s. Under the military rule of Zia-ul-Haq, Pakistan began a marked shift from the British-era secular politics and policies, to the adoption of Shariat and other Islamic religious laws. During the 1980s, the anti- Feudal , pro- Mohajir Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was started by unorthodox and educated urban dwellers of Sindh and particularly Karachi . The 1990s were characterized by coalition politics dominated by the PPP and a rejuvenated Muslim League. In the October 2002 general elections, the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML-Q) won a Plurality of National Assembly seats with the second-largest group being the Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), a sub-party of the PPP. Zafarullah Khan Jamali of PML-Q emerged as Prime Minister but resigned on June 26 , 2004 and was replaced by PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain as interim Prime Minister. On August 27 , 2004 the National Assembly voted 191 to 151 to elect the Finance Minister and former Citibank Vice President Shaukat Aziz as Prime Minister. Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal , a coalition of Islamic religious parties, won elections in North-West Frontier Province , and increased their representation in the National Assembly . President Bush (left)]] Pakistan is an active member of the (CENTO) and the Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO). During the Soviet-Afghan war in the 1980s Pakistan was a crucial US ally, but relations soured in the 1990s, when sanctions were applied by the US over suspicions of Pakistan's nuclear activities. The September 11 Attacks and the subsequent War On Terror have seen an improvement in US–Pakistan ties, especially after Pakistan ended its support of the Taliban regime in Kabul . In January 2004, founder of Pakistani nuclear program A. Q. Khan confessed of nuclear proliferation to Libya , Iran and North Korea . On February 5 , 2004, the President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf , announced that he had pardoned A Q Khan . Pakistan has long had troubled relations with , 2005 . Provinces and territories See Also: Subdivisions of Pakistan Pakistan is officially a federation The Constitutional basis of the Federation of Pakistan of four provinces, a capital territory and federally administered tribal areas. Pakistan exercises ''de facto'' jurisdiction over the western parts of the Kashmir region, organised as two separate political entities ( Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas ), which are also claimed by India. In 2001 the federal government abolished the third tier of government ( Administrative Divisions ) in favour of the former fourth tier districts. The provinces and the capital territory are subdivided into a total of 107 Districts which contain numerous Tehsils and local governments. The tribal areas comprise seven tribal agencies and six small frontier regions detached from neighbouring districts whilst Azad Kashmir comprises seven districts and Northern Areas comprises six districts. Provinces: # Balochistan # North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) / Sarhad # Punjab # Sindh
Territories: Pakistani-administered portions of the Kashmir region:
Geography and climate See Also: Geography of Pakistan ]] Pakistan covers 880,254 ) Arabian Sea coastline, Pakistan's land borders total 6,774 kilometres—2,430 kilometres (1,510 mi) with Afghanistan to the northwest, 523 kilometres (325 mi) with China to the northeast, 2,912 kilometres (1,809 mi) with India to the east and 909 kilometres (565 mi) with Iran to the southwest. The different types of natural features range from the sandy beaches, Lagoon s, and Mangrove swamps of the southern coast to preserved moist temperate forests and the icy peaks of the Himalaya , Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountains in the north. Many of the mountains, including K2 and Nanga Parbat are over 7,000 metres (23,000 Ft ) high and covered in snow and glaciers. Linking the two areas and running the length of the country is the Indus River and its many tributaries. To the west of the Indus are the dry, hilly deserts of Balochistan ; to the east are the rolling sand dunes of the Thar Desert . Most areas of Punjab and parts of Sindh are fertile plains where agriculture is of great importance. The climate varies as much as the scenery with very cold winters and hot summers in the north and a mild maritime-influenced climate in the south. The central parts have extremely hot summers with temperatures rising to 45 º C (113 º F ), followed by very cold winters, often falling below freezing. There is very little rainfall ranging from less than 250 millimetres to more than 1,250 millimetres (9.8–49.2 In ), mostly brought by the unreliable south-westerly Monsoon winds during the late summer. Water shortages have been eased by the construction of dams on the rivers and the sinking of water wells in many drier areas. Flora and fauna valley in northern Pakistan. — Agricultural and scenic]] The wide variety of landscapes and climates in Pakistan allows for a wide variety of wild animals and birds. The forests range from Coniferous Alpine and Subalpine trees such as spruce, pine, and Deodar Cedar in the northern mountains to Deciduous trees such as the mulberry-type shisham in the Sulaiman range in the south. The western hills have Juniper and Tamarisk as well as coarse grasses and scrub plants. Along the coast are Mangrove forests which form much of the coastal wetlands. In the south, there are crocodiles in the murky waters at the mouth of the Indus River whilst on the banks of the river, there are boars, deer, Porcupine s, and small rodents. In the sandy scrublands of central Pakistan are found jackals, hyenas, wild cats, panthers, and leopards while the clear blue skies abound with hawks, falcons, and eagles. In the northern mountains are a variety of endangered animals including Marco Polo Sheep , Urial Sheep , Markhor and Ibex goats, Black and Brown Himalayan bears, and the very rare Snow Leopard . Another rare species is the blind Indus River Dolphin of which there are believed to be about 1,000 remaining, protected in two major sanctuaries. In recent years the number of wild animals being killed for fur and leather trading led to a new law banning the hunting of wild animals and birds and the establishment of several wildlife sanctuaries and game reserves. Wildlife Sanctuaries of Pakistan Economy See Also: Economy of Pakistan ]] Pakistan is a rapidly sector accounts for 53% of the country's GDP with Wholesale and Retail trade forming 30% of this sector. Demographics See Also: Demographics of Pakistan Pakistan has the world's sixth largest population, more than , 2005 , with a fertility rate of 34 per thousand, a death rate of 10 per thousand and the rate of natural increase was 2.4%. Pakistan also had a high infant mortality rate of 85 per thousand births. - Punjabis (44.15% of the population), Pakhtuns (15.42%), Sindhis (14.1%), Seraikis (10.53%), Muhajir s (7.57%), Balochis (3.57%) and others (4.66%). Census data Census results for languages of Pakistan indicates that 96% of the population are Muslim s of whom nearly 80% are Sunni Muslims and 20% are Shi'a Muslims . The non-Muslim population mainly comprises of Christian s (1.6% of the population) and Hindu s (1.6%), Qadiani s, Buddhist s, Jew s, Sikh s, Zoroastrian s, and Animist s (mainly the Kalash in Chitral ). The demographics of Pakistan were significantly influenced in 1947 by the movement of Muslims to Pakistan, and Hindus and Sikhs to India. More recently about four million refugees have settled permanently in Pakistan as a result of the wars in Afghanistan , but the census does not yet include them in official figures. Society and culture See Also: Culture of Pakistan in Islamabad , one of the largest in the world]] of Lahore .]] Pakistan has a rich and unique culture that has preserved established traditions throughout history. Prior to the Islamic invasion, many Punjabis and Sindhis were Hindu and Buddhist but this changed during the expansion of Islam by the Ummayad General Muhammad Bin Qasim , Mahmud Of Ghazni and others. Many cultural practices, foods, monuments, and shrines were inherited from the rule of Muslim Mughal and Afghan emperors including the national dress of Shalwar Kameez . Women wear brightly coloured shalwar kameez, while men often wear solid-coloured shalwar kameez, usually with a Sherwani (coat) that goes over the shalwar kameez. The rich variety of Pakistani Music ranges from diverse provincial folk music and traditional styles such as Qawwali and Ghazal Gayaki to modern forms fusing traditional and western music, such as the synchronisation of Qawwali and western music by the renowned Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan . Other major Ghazal singers include Mehdi Hassan , Ghulam Ali , Farida Khanum , Abida Parveen and Iqbal Bano . The arrival of Afghan refugees in the western provinces has rekindled Pashto and Persian music and established Peshawar as a hub for Afghan musicians and a distribution centre for Afghan music abroad. Until the 1990s, the state-owned Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation ( Radio Pakistan ) were the dominant media outlets, but there are now numerous Private Television Channels such as Geo TV , Indus TV , Mashriq, Hum and ARY with a strong focus on plays or soap operas - some of them critically acclaimed. Various American, European, and Asian television channels and movies are available to a majority of the Pakistani population via Cable and Satellite Television . There are also small indigenous movie industries based in Lahore and Peshawar (often referred to as Lollywood and Pollywood ). Although Bollywood movies are banned, pirated discs are easily available as in rest of the world and Indian film stars are popular in Pakistan. Pakistani society is largely , 2005 . URL accessed March 17 , 2006 Tourism is a growing industry in Pakistan based on the diverse cultures, peoples and landscapes ranging from ancient ruins such as and Chitral valleys, the latter being home to the small pre-Islamic Animist Kalasha community who claim descent from the army of Alexander The Great . Punjab is the site of Alexander's Battle on the Jhelum River and historic Lahore , Pakistan's cultural capital with many examples of Mughal architecture such as the Badshahi Masjid and the Shalimar Gardens . Holidays See Also: Holidays in Pakistan Hazuri Bagh in Lahore , an example of Mughal era Islamic architecture.]] There are many holidays and festivals celebrated annually in Pakistan. While Pakistan is an Islamic nation, there are also several secular holidays including Pakistan Day ( March 23 ), Independence Day ( August 14 ), Defence of Pakistan Day ( September 6 ), the anniversaries of the birth ( December 25 ) and death ( September 11 ) of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah , and Allama Iqbal Day ( November 9 ). Labour Day (also known as May Day ) is also observed in Pakistan on May 1 . Several important festivals are celebrated by Pakistani Muslims during the year, dependent on moon sightings. Ramadan , the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar , is characterised by daytime fasting for 29 or 30 days and is followed by the festival of Eid Ul-Fitr . In a second festival, Eid Ul-Adha , an animal is sacrificed in remembrance of the actions of Abraham and the meat is shared with friends, family, and the less fortunate. Both Eid festivals are public holidays, when people visit family and friends, and children receive new clothes, presents, and sweets. Some sects celebrate the birthday of the prophet Muhammad in the third Islamic month ( Rabi' Al-Awwal ) with Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi . Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Christians of Pakistan also celebrate their own festivals and saints' days. Sikhs come from across the world to visit several holy sites including the shrine of Guru Nanak at Hassan Abdal in the Attock District , and the birthplace of Guru Nanak at Nankana Sahib . There are also several regional and local festivals, such as the Punjabi festival of Basant , which marks the start of spring and is celebrated by kite flying. Sports See Also: Sports In Pakistan cricket stadium]] The official sport of Pakistan is racing is also becoming popular with the entry of a Pakistani team in the 2005 season. The Tour De Pakistan , modelled after the Tour De France , is an annual cycling competition that covers the length and breadth of Pakistan. See also Notes Additional references
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