Pakistan (state)

Pakistan (state)
Conventional long name	Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Common name	Pakistan
Capital	Islamabad
Largest city	Karachi
Official languages	Urdu (official), English (co-official)
Recognized languages	Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki, Balochi, Kashmiri
Ethnic groups	Punjabis, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Baloch, Muhajirs, Kashmiris
Religion	Predominantly Islam (majority Sunni Islam), minorities include Hinduism, Christianity, Ahmadiyya
Area km2	881912
Population estimate	~240 million
Independence	14 August 1947; Indian Independence Act 1947
Government type	Federal parliamentary republic
Legislature	Parliament (two houses: Senate, National Assembly)
Leader title1	President
Leader title2	Prime Minister
Currency	Pakistani rupee
Calling code	+92
Time zone	Pakistan Standard Time (UTC+5)

Pakistan (state) Pakistan is a federal parliamentary republic in South Asia established in 1947 after the partition of British India under the Indian Independence Act 1947, conceived as a homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent. The state encompasses diverse regions including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and territories such as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir and plays a central role in regional affairs involving India, Afghanistan, China, and Iran. Pakistan is a member of international organizations including the United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Etymology and Definition

The name "Pakistan" was coined in 1933 by Chaudhry Rahmat Ali in the pamphlet "Now or Never", combining letters from Punjab, Afghania (referring to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Kashmir, Sindh, and Balochistan and adding the Persian suffix "-stan" shared with Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The official designation Constitution of 1956 and subsequent constitutions define the polity as an Islamic republic with sovereignty claimed in the name of the people and guided by Islamic principles, interpreted through institutions such as the Council of Islamic Ideology and adjudicated by the Supreme Court.

History

The region's premodern history includes civilizations and empires like the Indus Valley Civilization, Achaemenid Empire, Maurya Empire, Gupta Empire, Kushan Empire, Mughal Empire, and the influence of Sikh Empire in Punjab; these eras left archaeological sites such as Mohenjo-daro and Taxila. Colonial incorporation under the British Raj led to political movements including the All-India Muslim League and leaders such as Muhammad Ali Jinnah who negotiated partition with figures like Jawaharlal Nehru and Lord Mountbatten. Post-independence milestones include the 1947–48 First Kashmir War, constitutional developments culminating in the 1973 Constitution, the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and creation of Bangladesh, military regimes under Ayub Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Pervez Musharraf, the return to civilian rule with leaders such as Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, and contemporary events including counterinsurgency operations against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and diplomatic initiatives with China–Pakistan Economic Corridor partners.

Geography and Environment

Pakistan's geography spans the Indus River plain, the Thar Desert, the Himalayas, the Karakoram, and the Sulaiman Mountains, featuring peaks like K2 and glaciers such as the Baltoro Glacier. Major rivers include the Indus River and its tributaries feeding irrigation networks in Punjab and Sindh. The state faces environmental challenges including glacial retreat linked to climate change, water stress in the Indus Basin, desertification in the Thar Desert, urban pollution in Karachi and Lahore, and biodiversity pressures in areas like Hingol National Park and Kirthar National Park.

Government and Politics

Pakistan's federal system divides powers among provinces and territories with a bicameral Parliament comprised of the Senate and the National Assembly; executive authority is headed by the Prime Minister while the President serves largely ceremonial functions. Judicial review is exercised by the Supreme Court, and provincial matters are handled in assemblies such as the Punjab Provincial Assembly, Sindh Assembly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, and Balochistan Assembly. Political dynamics involve major parties such as the PML-N, Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, interactions with the Inter-Services Intelligence and Pakistan Armed Forces, and constitutional episodes including emergency rule and judicial-military confrontations.

Economy

The state's economy is diversified across agriculture in the Indus Valley, manufacturing hubs in Karachi and Lahore, and services including remittances from the Pakistani diaspora in Middle East countries. Key sectors include textiles centered in Faisalabad and Sialkot, energy projects tied to China–Pakistan Economic Corridor investments, and mineral resources in Balochistan such as copper and coal. Fiscal and monetary policy are influenced by institutions like the State Bank of Pakistan and engagements with the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and trading partners including China, United States, and European Union; structural issues include balance of payments, tax collection, and infrastructure deficits.

Demographics and Society

Population centers include Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar, with urbanization trends shaped by migration from rural districts in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. Ethnolinguistic groups such as Punjabis, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Baloch, and Muhajirs coexist with minority communities including Hindus, Christians, and Ahmadiyya. Social indicators are tracked by agencies like the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and influenced by educational institutions such as University of the Punjab, Quaid-i-Azam University, Aga Khan University, public health responses involving the Ministry of Health, and civil society organizations.

Culture and National Identity

Cultural life draws on literary figures like Allama Iqbal and Faiz Ahmad Faiz, musical traditions including Qawwali popularized by artists such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, film history in Lollywood, and visual arts showcased at venues like the National College of Arts. National symbols include the lyrics of the national anthem composed by Hafeez Jullundhri and architecture such as the Badshahi Mosque and Faisal Mosque; festivals include Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and regional observances like Basant. Sports culture centers on cricket icons from the Pakistan national cricket team and arenas in Lahore and Karachi.

Category:States and territories established in 1947