Pakistan

Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the fifth-most populous country, with over 241 million people. It also has the world's second-largest Muslim population. The capital city is Islamabad. The largest city and financial centre is Karachi. Pakistan is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the south, India to the east, Afghanistan to the west, Iran to the southwest, and China to the northeast.

The land that is now Pakistan has a rich history. Ancient cultures lived there, such as at the 8,500-year-old Neolithic site of Mehrgarh and the Indus Valley Civilisation. Over time, many empires ruled the region. These included the Achaemenid, Maurya, Kushan, Gupta, Umayyad Caliphate, Hindu Shahis, Ghaznavids, Delhi Sultanate, Samma, Shah Miris, Mughals, and finally the British Raj.

Pakistan became independent in 1947 after the partition of British India. This caused many people to move and brought many challenges. It started as a dominion of the British Commonwealth and became an Islamic republic in 1956. In 1971, East Pakistan became the separate country of Bangladesh.

Today, Pakistan is considered a middle power and has its own nuclear weapons. Its economy is growing, but the country still faces challenges such as poverty and illiteracy. Pakistan is a member of many international organisations, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Etymology

The name Pakistan was created by Choudhry Rahmat Ali, an activist. He wrote about it in 1933. He made the name from the first letters of regions that were part of the area: Panjab, Afghania, Kashmir, Sindh, and Baluchistan. In both Persian and Urdu, the word means “the land of the pure.” The idea was to create a special place for people from these areas.

History

Main article: History of Pakistan

See also: Timeline of Pakistani history

Pakistan has a long and interesting history. Some of the earliest people lived in places that are now Pakistan. Ancient cultures, like the Indus Valley Civilization, lived there thousands of years ago. These early people built big cities and had smart ways to live.

Many different groups and empires ruled this land over time. They brought new traditions and ideas. Later, Pakistan was part of British India. It became its own country in 1947. Since then, Pakistan has grown and faced many challenges.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of Pakistan, Environment of Pakistan, Climate of Pakistan, Extreme weather records in Pakistan, List of tropical cyclones in Pakistan, and List of beaches in Pakistan

Pakistan is a big country in South Asia. It covers 881,913 km². It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and borders Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran. The land includes mountains, plains, deserts, and forests.

The north has very tall mountains, such as K2, one of the highest peaks in the world. The south has flat areas and deserts, and the west has rocky hills. Pakistan has many rivers. The Indus River is the most important, flowing from north to south. The climate changes across the country, with hot summers and cool winters. There are rainy seasons and dry seasons.

Main articles: Wildlife of Pakistan, Flora of Pakistan, and Fauna of Pakistan

Pakistan’s landscapes support many plants and animals. In the northern mountains, you can find trees like spruce and pine. The south has palms and other warm-climate plants. The country has many birds, such as crows, sparrows, and eagles. Animals like mongooses, deer, and leopards live there too. Some special animals, such as the rare blind Indus river dolphin, live in Pakistan’s rivers and protected areas. However, many plants and animals face challenges because they lose their homes.

Government and politics

Main articles: Government of Pakistan, Politics of Pakistan, and Elections in Pakistan

Pakistan is a democratic parliamentary federal republic, with Islam as the state religion. The military has had a big role in politics. Pakistan made its first constitution in 1956, but it was stopped by a leader named Ayub Khan in 1958. A new constitution came in 1962. Later, under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the 1973 constitution set up a parliamentary system, but it was stopped again in 1977 by Zia-ul-Haq, only to return with changes in 1985. Today, Pakistan has a system where many parties can take part in elections, and there are checks to make sure no one part of the government becomes too powerful. The three biggest parties are the conservative Pakistan Muslim League (N), the socialist Pakistani People's Party, and the centrist Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

• Head of State: The President of Pakistan is the ceremonial leader and top commander of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The Prime Minister guides the President on important decisions.

• Legislative: Pakistan has two houses of lawmaking: the Senate (upper house) and the National Assembly (lower house). Members of the National Assembly are chosen by voters, with special seats kept for women and religious groups.

• Executive: The Prime Minister, usually the leader of the biggest party or group in the National Assembly, runs the government. They choose a team of leaders to help run the country.

• Provincial governments: Pakistan has four provinces, each with its own elected group of leaders called a Provincial Assembly. They pick a Chief Minister to lead them.

• Judicature: Pakistan’s courts include the Supreme Court, Federal Shariat Court, and high courts in each part of the country. The Supreme Court makes sure the laws follow the country’s rules.

Role of Islam

See also: Islam in Pakistan

Pakistan was created as a place for Muslims, and Islam is very important here. Leaders and religious people worked together to shape the country’s laws and ideas. Pakistan tried to bring together Muslim countries, but not all agreed. The country’s laws are meant to follow teachings from the Quran and Sunnah.

Administrative units

Main article: Administrative units of Pakistan

Pakistan is made up of four provinces: Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan. There are also three areas: Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. These areas have their own ways of governing themselves. Local leaders help manage things at the district, town, and neighborhood levels.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Pakistan

Pakistan tries to have friendly ties with other countries, focusing on its safety, economy, and culture. It has strong ties with China and works closely with Muslim nations. Pakistan also works with the United Nations and is part of groups like the Commonwealth and the G20. The country has had different relationships with the United States over the years, sometimes working together and sometimes having disagreements.

Relations with China

Main article: China–Pakistan relations

Pakistan and China have been good friends for a long time. They help each other with trade, building projects, and supporting each other in international matters. China is one of Pakistan’s biggest partners, investing in many important projects.

Kashmir conflict

Main article: Kashmir conflict

Kashmir is a place that both India and Pakistan want to control. This has led to several fights between the two countries. Pakistan believes the people of Kashmir should decide their own future, while India says Kashmir is part of their country. The United Nations helped set up a line to separate the two sides, but the disagreement continues.

Military

Pakistan has a big and strong military, which includes the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The military has been important in the country’s history. Pakistan has fought several wars with India and has also helped in international peacekeeping missions. The country has its own nuclear weapons to protect itself.

Law enforcement

Main article: Law enforcement in Pakistan

See also: Pakistani Intelligence Community

Pakistan has police forces in each of its four provinces and special units to handle serious crimes and keep people safe. These units get training to deal with dangerous situations.

Human rights

Main articles: Human rights in Pakistan and LGBT rights in Pakistan

Pakistan works to make sure people are treated fairly, but there are challenges. Some people face unfair treatment because of their beliefs or who they are. The country has laws to protect people, but there are still issues that need to be fixed. Leaders are working to improve these situations and make Pakistan a better place for everyone.

Economy

Main articles: Economy of Pakistan and Economic history of Pakistan

Further information: Real estate in Pakistan, Information technology in Pakistan, and Banking in Pakistan

See also: Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund

Pakistan's economy is one of the world's larger ones. It is growing and has the potential to become very big. The country relies on farming, and its industry depends on how well agriculture does.

Pakistan is good at making food and has many natural resources, like coal and important mines. The textile industry is a big part of the economy. The services sector, including information technology, is growing fast. Tourism is also important, with many beautiful places to visit.

Infrastructure

See also: Water supply and sanitation in Pakistan

Pakistan has built good roads, power plants, and other important structures. This helps the country grow and stay strong.

Power and energy

Main articles: Nuclear power in Pakistan, Energy in Pakistan, and Electricity sector in Pakistan

Pakistan uses many ways to make electricity. Some comes from nuclear power, some from fuels like oil and gas, and some from water. The country has nuclear power plants and plans to build more. Renewable energy, like wind and solar, is also growing.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Pakistan

Pakistan has many roads, including modern highways, that help people and goods move around. These roads connect big cities and ports. The country also has train services and bus systems in cities like Lahore and Karachi. There are many airports, with Karachi’s airport being the main one for international travel.

Science and technology

Main articles: Science and technology in Pakistan and List of Pakistani inventions and discoveries

Pakistan has made good progress in science and technology. Pakistani scientists have done important work in physics, chemistry, and medicine. The country has its own space program and launched its first satellite in 1990. Pakistan continues to invest in technology to improve services and infrastructure.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Pakistan

Further information: Overseas Pakistani

Pakistan is a busy country with many people and cultures. Since it became a country, big cities have grown quickly. Karachi, near the Indus River, is the largest city where many people work and do business. Other big cities are Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Peshawar.

Pakistan has many different groups of people and languages. Urdu and English are the main languages used by the government. Most people in Pakistan are Punjabis, Pashtuns, Sindhis, or Saraikis. There are also smaller groups like the Balochs and Brahuis. Many people live outside Pakistan, especially in the Middle East, Europe, and North America. They send money home to help their families.

Islam is the main religion in Pakistan, but there are also Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, and others living there. Schools in Pakistan offer free education, and there are many universities and colleges. However, not everyone can read or write yet. The government is working to improve education for all children.

Culture

Main articles: Culture of Pakistan, British heritage of Pakistan, and Public holidays in Pakistan

Pakistan's culture is rich and varied. Families are very important, and many people live together in big groups, though some live in smaller homes. People often wear the Shalwar Kameez, a comfortable traditional outfit, and celebrate special festivals like Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Azha, Ramadan, Christmas, Easter, Holi, and Diwali.

Pakistan has many beautiful buildings from different times. Old cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa show early ways of life. Later, Buddhist and Greek styles mixed to create special designs. Islamic architecture brought grand mosques and gardens, such as the Badshahi Mosque and Shalimar Gardens in Lahore. British colonial buildings can still be seen in cities like Lahore and Karachi, and modern buildings like the Faisal Mosque show Pakistan's new style.

The Shalwar Kameez is the national dress, worn by many people in Pakistan. People also wear modern clothes for special events. Pakistan's fashion is growing, with events like PFDC Fashion Week showing new styles that mix old and new traditions.

Pakistan has a long history of storytelling and poetry in many languages, including Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi, Pashto, and Baluchi. Famous poets like Muhammad Iqbal and Faiz Ahmed Faiz are loved, and their words inspire many. Libraries and schools help keep these stories and poems alive.

Pakistan has many ways to entertain people, from newspapers and TV to movies and music. Urdu dramas are very popular on television. Music includes traditional styles like Qawwali and Ghazal, as well as modern mixes with western music. Pakistani films continue to tell stories that many enjoy.

Pakistani food comes from old royal kitchens and mixes flavors from many places. Dishes often include spicy curries, meat, vegetables, and lentils, served with roti or rice. Popular drinks include lassi and sweet tea. Sweet treats like sohan halwa are loved by many.

Main article: Sport in Pakistan

Cricket is the most popular sport in Pakistan, with the country winning major tournaments like the ICC Cricket World Cup. Field hockey is the national sport, and Pakistan has won many Olympic and World Cup titles. Football, squash, polo, and traditional games are also enjoyed by many. Pakistan has hosted big international sports events, including Cricket and Hockey World Cups.