Pakistan

Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million people and has the second-largest Muslim population in the world. The capital city is Islamabad, while Karachi is its largest city and financial centre. Pakistan is the 33rd-largest country by area and 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, with ancient cultures such as the 8,500-year-old Neolithic site of Mehrgarh and the Indus Valley Civilisation. Over the centuries, the region was ruled by many empires and dynasties, including the Achaemenid, Maurya, Kushan, Gupta, Umayyad Caliphate, Hindu Shahis, Ghaznavids, Delhi Sultanate, Samma, Shah Miris, Mughals, and finally the British Raj.

Pakistan gained independence in 1947 after the partition of British India, which led to a large movement of people and 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 after a civil war. Since then, Pakistan has experienced changes in government between civilian and military rule.

Today, Pakistan is considered a middle power and a nuclear-weapons state with a large military. Its economy is growing, but the country still faces issues such as poverty, illiteracy, corruption, and terrorism. 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 who wrote about it in 1933. He formed 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 rich and ancient history. Some of the earliest human civilizations began in areas that are now part of Pakistan. Important ancient cultures, like the Indus Valley Civilization, thrived here thousands of years ago. These early communities built large cities and had advanced ways of living.

Later, many different groups and empires ruled this land, bringing new traditions and ideas. Over time, Pakistan became part of many bigger countries, including empires from Persia, Greece, and Central Asia. In more recent history, Pakistan was part of British India until it became an independent country in 1947. Since then, Pakistan has grown and changed, facing many challenges and achieving important milestones.

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 large country in South Asia, covering 881,913 km². It has a long coastline along the Arabian Sea and shares borders with several countries, including Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran. The country's geography includes mountains, plains, deserts, and forests.

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

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

Pakistan's many landscapes support a variety of plants and animals. In the northern mountains, you can find trees like spruce and pine, while the southern areas have palms and other warm-climate plants. The country is home to many birds, including crows, sparrows, and eagles, as well as animals like mongooses, deer, and leopards. 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 due to loss of habitat and other threats.

Government and politics

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

Pakistan operates as a democratic parliamentary federal republic, with Islam designated as the state religion. The military has played a big role in politics over the years. Pakistan first created a 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. There have been times when military leaders took control of the country. 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 country’s politics mix ideas about fairness, tradition, and finding a middle path. 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 make sure Islam shaped 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. Some leaders wanted to make sure everyone followed Islamic rules strictly.

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 and has sometimes taken control of the government. 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 ranked 27th in the world by purchasing power parity and 42nd by nominal GDP. It is a developing country with a strong potential to grow into one of the world's largest economies. The country depends a lot on farming, and its industry grows with agricultural success. In 2023, Pakistan was the 66th-largest exporter, with a trade deficit of US$21.3 billion.

As of 2025^[update], Pakistan's nominal GDP was US$407.79 billion, and GDP by purchasing power parity was US$1.8 trillion in 2026. About 44.7% of people live below the poverty line, and 16.5% live in extreme poverty. The country's middle class is estimated to be around 40–50 million people.

Pakistan has a large workforce and many people living abroad who send money home, which helps the economy. The country is good at producing food and has many natural resources, including large coal reserves and important mines. The textile industry is a big part of the economy, and the services sector, including information technology, is growing quickly. Tourism is also important, with many beautiful places to visit, though it has faced challenges in recent years.

Infrastructure

See also: Water supply and sanitation in Pakistan

Pakistan was praised for its infrastructure development in South Asia during meetings of important global financial groups in 2016.

Power and energy

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

Pakistan uses different sources to create electricity. About 6% comes from nuclear power, 64% from fuels like oil and gas, 30% from water power, and a tiny bit from coal. The country has several nuclear power plants, with more planned to help meet future energy needs. Renewable energy, like wind and solar, is also growing, with goals to produce more in the coming years.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Pakistan

Pakistan has many roads, with over 2,500 kilometers of modern highways that carry most people and goods. These roads connect big cities and ports to each other and to nearby countries. The country also has train services, though they carry less traffic now. Cities like Lahore and Karachi have bus rapid transit systems to help move large numbers of people quickly. There are many airports, with Karachi’s airport being the main one for international travel, but other cities also have busy airports.

Science and technology

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

Pakistan has made 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 also developed its own nuclear technology for safety and defense purposes. Today, Pakistan continues to invest in technology to improve government 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 fast. Karachi, near the Indus River, is the largest city where many people do business. Other big cities include 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, sending 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, and 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, with strong family ties and respect for traditions. Families often live together in extended groups, though many now live in smaller nuclear families. People usually wear the Shalwar Kameez, a comfortable traditional outfit, and celebrate important festivals like Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Azha, Ramadan, Christmas, Easter, Holi, and Diwali.

Pakistan has many beautiful buildings from different times in history. Old cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa show early urban 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 structures like the Faisal Mosque show Pakistan's contemporary style.

The Shalwar Kameez is the national dress, worn everywhere in Pakistan. People also enjoy wearing modern suits and ties for special occasions. Pakistan's fashion industry 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 celebrated, 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, though facing some challenges, 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.