Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Islamic Republic of Pakistan
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Conventional long name	Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Common name	Pakistan
Capital	Islamabad
Largest city	Karachi
Official languages	Urdu, English
Area km2	881913
Population estimate	240 million (approx.)
Government type	Federal parliamentary republic
Independence	14 August 1947
Currency	Pakistani rupee

Islamic Republic of Pakistan Pakistan is a country in South Asia formed in 1947 from the partition of British India, with a federal capital at Islamabad and a largest city and port at Karachi. It is bordered by India, Afghanistan, China, and Iran, and has estratégica access to the Arabian Sea via the Port of Karachi. Pakistan's institutions include the Pakistani Armed Forces, the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and the State Bank of Pakistan.

Etymology and Symbols

The name "Pakistan" was coined in the 1930s by Chaudhry Rahmat Ali and popularized by leaders of the All-India Muslim League such as Muhammad Ali Jinnah, drawing on regional names like Punjab, Afghan, Kashmir, Sindh, and Balochistan. National symbols include the flag adopted in 1947, the national anthem composed by Hafeez Jullundhri, the state emblem featuring the wheat wreath and crescent, and the national animal, the markhor, which appears in conservation programs run alongside institutions such as the Pakistan Forest Institute.

History

The territory of Pakistan overlaps ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley Civilization and cities such as Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, later influenced by empires including the Achaemenid Empire, the Maurya Empire, and the Mughal Empire. From the 18th century the region experienced incursions by the British East India Company leading to incorporation into the British Raj. The creation of Pakistan followed political campaigns by the All-India Muslim League and leaders such as Muhammad Ali Jinnah culminating in the Indian Independence Act 1947. Post-independence events include the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, the Bangladesh Liberation War and 1971 crisis involving Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the 1973 constitution under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and successive periods of civilian rule and military regimes associated with figures like Ayub Khan, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, and Pervez Musharraf. Key agreements and crises involved the Simla Agreement, the Kargil conflict, and the global response after the September 11 attacks culminating in Pakistan's role in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021).

Geography and Environment

Pakistan's topography includes the Himalayas, the Karakoram, and the Hindu Kush mountain ranges in the north, with peaks near K2 and glaciers like the Baltoro Glacier. The Indus River basin and the fertile plains of Punjab support agriculture linked to the Indus Waters Treaty and irrigation works such as those near Sukkur Barrage. Southern coastal areas face the Arabian Sea with ports like Gwadar developed in partnerships involving China. Environmental challenges include glacial melt in the Karakoram anomaly context, desertification in Thar Desert, and pollution affecting ecosystems monitored by organizations such as the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency.

Government and Politics

Pakistan operates a federal structure with powers shared among federating units including the provinces of Punjab (Pakistan), Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan, and the federally administered Islamabad Capital Territory. Political life features parties like the Pakistan Muslim League (N) led historically by the Sharif family, the Pakistan Peoples Party founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and later led by Benazir Bhutto, and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founded by Imran Khan. Constitutional developments include the Constitution of Pakistan (1973) and amendments affecting the balance of power with institutions such as the National Assembly of Pakistan and the Senate of Pakistan. Civil-military relations involve the Inter-Services Intelligence and periodic interventions by military leadership that have shaped policy and governance.

Economy

Pakistan's economy combines agriculture, industry, and services with major sectors linked to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, textiles centered in Karachi and Faisalabad, and energy projects including dams like Tarbela Dam and pipelines associated with projects such as the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. Fiscal and monetary policy is administered by the State Bank of Pakistan and finance ministries negotiating with international lenders like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Economic challenges include external debt, inflation, and infrastructure deficits, while opportunities have arisen from remittances from Pakistani diasporas in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and investments tied to ports like Gwadar.

Demographics and Society

Pakistan's population is diverse, comprising ethnic groups such as Punjabis, Sindhis, Pashtuns, Baloch, and Muhajirs from post-1947 migrations. Languages include Urdu as a lingua franca and regional tongues like Punjabi language, Sindhi language, Pashto language, and Balochi language. Urbanization centers around Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. Social institutions include the Council of Islamic Ideology, education systems with universities such as University of Karachi and Punjab University, and public health programs managed alongside agencies like the Ministry of National Health Services.

Culture and Religion

Cultural life reflects influences from Persian culture, Central Asia, and indigenous traditions with artistic expressions in qawwali linked to figures like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, literary contributions from poets such as Allama Iqbal and Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and visual arts practiced in centers like Lahore Museum. Islam is the majority religion with institutions including Jamia Millia Islamia-style seminaries and celebrated festivals like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, while minorities include Christians in Pakistan, Hindus in Pakistan, and Sikhs in Pakistan. Sporting culture highlights cricket teams organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board and notable players such as Imran Khan (cricketer) and Wasim Akram, with domestic events held at venues like Gaddafi Stadium and National Stadium, Karachi.

Category:Countries in Asia