Introduction of Pakistan
Pakistan displays some of Asia’s most magnificent landscapes as it stretches from the Arabian Sea, its southern border, to some of the world’s most spectacular mountain ranges in the north. Pakistan is also home to sites that date back to word’s earliest settlements rivaling those of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Location
Located in South Asia, Pakistan shares an eastern border with India and a north-eastern border with China. Iran makes up the country’s south-west border, and Afghanistan runs along its western and northern edge. The Arabian Sea is Pakistan’s southern boundary with 1,064 km of coastline.
The country has a total area of 796,095 sq km and is nearly four times the size of the United Kingdom. From Gwadar Bay in its south-eastern corner, the country extends more than 1,800 km to the Khunjerab Pass on China’s border.
Basic Facts
Official Name Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Father of the nation : Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (1876-1948)
National Poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938)
Head of the State President
Head of Government Prime Minister
Capital Islamabad (See http://www.cda.gov.pk)
Total Area 796,095 Sq. km.
Population 165 million (estimated)-132 million (1998 census) (See http://www.statpak.gov.pk/)
Pakistan is divided into four provinces viz., Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. The tribal belt adjoining Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa is managed by the Federal Government and is named FATA i.e., Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas have their own respective political and administrative machinery, yet certain of their subjects are taken care of by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas. Provinces of Pakistan are further divided into Districts
Religion 95% Muslims, 5% others.
GDP 5.8%
Currency Pak. Rupee.
Imports
Industrial equipment, chemicals, vehicles, steel, iron ore, petroleum, edible oil, pulses, tea.
Exports
Cotton, textile goods, rice, leather items carpets, sports goods, handi-crafts, fish and fish prep. and fruit
Languages
Urdu (National) and English (Official)
Literacy rate 53%
Government Parliamentary form
Parliament
Parliament consists of two Houses i.e., the Senate (Upper House) and the National Assembly (Lower House).
The Senate is a permanent legislative body and symbolises a process of continuity in the national affairs. It consists of 100 members. The four Provincial Assemblies, Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Federal Capital form its electoral college.
The National Assembly has a total membership of 342 elected through adult suffrage (272 general seats, 60 women seats and 10 non-Muslim seats).
Pakistan National Flag
Dark green with a white vertical bar, a white crescent and a five-pointed star in the middle. The Flag symbolizes Pakistan’s profound commitment to Islam, the Islamic world and the rights of religious minorities.
National Anthem Approved in August, 1954
Verses Composed by: Abdul Asar Hafeez Jullundhri
Tune Composed by: Ahmed G. Chagla
Duration: 80 seconds (For more details click here)
State Emblem The State Emblem consists of:
1. The crescent and star which are symbols of Islam
2. The shield in the centre shows four major crops
3. Wreath surrounding the shield represents cultural heritage and
4. Scroll contains Quaid’s motto: Faith, Unity, Discipline (For more details click here) Pakistan’s Official Map
Drawn by Mian Mahmood Alam Suhrawardy (1920-1999)
National Flower
Jasmine.
National Tree
Deodar (Cedrus Deodara).
National Animal
Markhor.
National Bird
Chakor (Red-legged partridge)
Flora
Pine, Oak, Poplar, Deodar, Maple, Mulberry
Fauna
The Pheasant, Leopard, Deer, Ibex, Chinkara, Black buck, Neelgai, Markhor, Marco-Polo sheep, Green turtles, River & Sea fish, Crocodile, Waterfowls
Popular games
Cricket, Hockey, Football, Squash.
Tourist’s resorts
Murree, Quetta, Hunza, Ziarat, Swat, Kaghan, Chitral and Gilgit
Archaeological sites
Moenjo Daro, Harappa, Taxila, Kot Diji, Mehr Garh, Takht Bhai.
Major Cities
Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Multan and Sialkot
Major Crops
Cotton, Wheat, Rice and Sugarcane
Agricultural Growth Rate
4.1 % on the average for the last six years–1.5% in 2007-08
Total cropped area
25.01 million hectares
Industry
Textiles, Cement, Fertiliser, Steel, Sugar, Electric Goods, Shipbuilding
Famous Mountain Peaks
Name |
Height |
World Rating |
K-2 (Chagori) |
8616 m |
2nd |
Nanga Parbat |
8125 m |
8th |
Gasherbrum-I |
8068 m |
11th |
Broad Peak |
8065 m |
12th |
Gasherbrum-II |
8047 m |
14th |
Gasherbrum-III |
7952 m |
15th |
Gasherbrum-IV |
7925 m |
16th |
Disteghil Sar |
7885 m |
20th |
Kunyang Kish |
7852 m |
22nd |
Masherbrum (NE) |
7821 m |
24th |
Rakaposhi |
7788 m |
27th |
Batura I |
7785 m |
28th |
Kanjut Sar |
7760 m |
29th |
Saltoro Kangri |
7742 m |
33rd |
Trivor |
7720 m |
36th |
Tirich Mir |
7708 m |
41st |
Famous Mountain Passes
Location | Province |
The Khyber Pass | Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa |
The Kurram Pass | FATA |
The Tochi Pass | FATA |
The Gomal Pass | Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa |
The Bolan Pass | Balochistan |
The Lowari Pass | Chitral (Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa) |
The Khunjrab Pass | Northern Areas |
Rivers
Name | Length |
The Indus | 2,896 km |
Jhelum | 825 km |
Chenab | 1,242 km |
Ravi | 901 km |
Sutlej | 1,551 km |
Beas (tributary of Sutlej) | 398 km |
Famous Glaciers
Name | Length |
Siachin | 75 km |
Batura | 55 km |
Baltoro | 65 km |
Deserts
Name | Location/Province |
Thar | Sindh |
Cholistan | Punjab |
Thal | Punjab |
Lakes
Name | Location/Province |
Manchar | Sindh |
Keenjar | Sindh |
Hanna | Balochistan |
Saif-ul-Maluk | Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa |
Satpara | Northern Areas |
Kachura | Northern Areas |
Major Dams
Name | Location/Province |
Mangla Dam | Punjab |
Tarbela Dam | Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa |
Warsak Dam | Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa |