Pakistan

Pakistan
User:Zscout370 · Public domain · source
Conventional long name	Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Common name	Pakistan
Symbol type	Emblem
Capital	Islamabad
Largest city	Karachi
Official languages	Urdu, English
National languages	Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi, Saraiki
Demonym	Pakistani
Area km2	881913
Population estimate	240 million
Currency	Pakistani rupee
Calling code	+92
Time zone	Pakistan Standard Time (UTC+05:00)

Pakistan is a country in South Asia located at the crossroads of Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. It has a diverse geography ranging from the Himalayas and Karakoram to the Indus River plain and the Arabian Sea, with major cities including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar. Founded in 1947 after the end of British administration in South Asia, it has played a central role in regional affairs involving India, Afghanistan, China, the United States, and multilateral organizations such as the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Etymology and name

The name derives from a coinage proposed in 1933 combining letters from historical regions: Punjab, Afghania (referring to Pashtunistan), Kashmir, Sindh, and Baluchistan, popularized by activists associated with the All-India Muslim League and figures like Choudhry Rahmat Ali; it was adopted during discussions surrounding the Lahore Resolution of 1940 and the partition negotiations involving leaders such as Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Jawaharlal Nehru.

History

Prehistoric and ancient periods saw civilizations such as the Indus Valley Civilization with sites like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa; later eras included invasions and empires such as the Achaemenid Empire, Alexander the Great's campaigns, the Maurya Empire, the Kushan Empire, and the Gupta Empire. The medieval period featured Islamic dynasties like the Ghazi rulers, the Delhi Sultanate, and the Mughal Empire with monuments such as the Badshahi Mosque and events tied to rulers like Akbar and Aurangzeb. The modern era involved colonial rule under the British Raj, nationalist movements led by the Indian National Congress and the All-India Muslim League, the 1947 partition that created separate dominions under the Indian Independence Act 1947, and subsequent conflicts like the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, and the Kargil conflict. Political figures across eras include Liaquat Ali Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Benazir Bhutto, and Pervez Musharraf; international engagements have involved treaties and agreements with China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, relations with Saudi Arabia, and participation in operations related to the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021).

Geography and environment

Terrains include the high mountain ranges of the Karakoram and Himalayas with peaks such as K2, plateaus like the Tibetan Plateau's foothills, the fertile Indus River basin, and the coastal area along the Arabian Sea with the Makran Coast. Biodiversity hotspots encompass regions like the Cholistan Desert and the Hingol National Park; environmental issues link to events such as glacial retreat in the Karakoram anomaly debates, flooding along the Indus River and concerns addressed by agencies including the International Union for Conservation of Nature in regional programs. Natural resources include significant gas deposits at Sui, coalfields in Tharparkar, and mineral occurrences in Balochistan.

Government and politics

The state operates under a constitution promulgated in 1973; political institutions include the Parliament of Pakistan with its Senate of Pakistan and National Assembly of Pakistan, an executive led by the President of Pakistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and a judiciary anchored by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Major political parties include the Pakistan Peoples Party, the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Security institutions such as the Pakistan Army, Inter-Services Intelligence and civil bodies have influenced domestic and foreign policy, with notable events including constitutional amendments, state of emergency proclamations, and military coups involving leaders like Ayub Khan and Pervez Musharraf.

Economy

Economic sectors range from agriculture in the Indus River plain producing cotton and wheat, to textiles centered in industrial hubs like Karachi and Faisalabad, to services and remittances from overseas Pakistanis working in countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Energy infrastructure includes thermal power plants, hydropower projects like Tarbela Dam and Mangla Dam, and projects under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor; financial oversight is carried out by the State Bank of Pakistan. Challenges encompass fiscal deficits, inflation episodes, balance of payments arrangements with the International Monetary Fund, and development initiatives involving the World Bank.

Demographics and society

The population comprises diverse ethnolinguistic groups such as Punjabis, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Baloch, and Muhajirs, with religious communities including Sunni Islam, Shia Islam, and minority faiths represented by Hinduism in Pakistan, Christianity in Pakistan, and Sikhism in Pakistan. Urbanization centers around Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad; social institutions include universities like University of Punjab and Aga Khan University, health systems with hospitals such as Aga Khan University Hospital, and civil society organizations active in human rights and humanitarian responses to disasters like the 2010 Pakistan floods.

Culture and heritage

Cultural expressions feature music forms such as Qawwali exemplified by artists linked to the Sufi tradition, classical musicians trained in gharanas like the Patiala Gharana, and contemporary pop musicians who have appeared on platforms such as Coke Studio (Pakistani TV program). Literary heritage includes poets and writers like Allama Iqbal, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, and novelists who participated in movements connected to the Progressive Writers' Movement. Architectural heritage spans Mughal architecture sites like the Lahore Fort, colonial-era structures such as Frere Hall, and archaeological sites including Taxila. Culinary traditions feature dishes like biryani and nihari with regional variations from Sindh to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; festivals include Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and regional celebrations tied to Sufi shrines like the Seerat commemorations.

Category:Countries in Asia