The Islamic Republic of Pakistan
| Formation Location Climate Population Government Religion Languages Sports Holidays and Celebrations Nuclear Status |
Pakistan came into existence as the fifth most populous and biggest Muslim state on 14th August 1947. On 15th August 1947, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, a day to which the Muslims attach great sanctity, the Quaid-e-Azam assumed the office of Governor General of Pakistan. The national flag with the crescent and the star was unfurled and Pakistan was born.
Geographically, Pakistan lies between the latitudes of 23o 30' and 36o 45' North and between the longitudes of 61o and 75o 31' East; spread over a distance of 1600kms north to south and 885 Kms.. East to West; covering a total area of 796,095 sq. Kms.. Pakistan comprises of four provinces namely Baluchistan, North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), Punjab and Sind.
Pakistan a very strategic and significant position in Asia. In the North-east she shares a common border of 595 Kms.. with the Peoples Republic of China along with the Gilgit Agency and Baltistan.
In the North-west, a narrow limb of Afghan territory called Wakhan, separates it from Tajikistan. The nearest points of the two countries are only 16 to 19 Kms. and the farthest about 80 Kms..
In the west, it has a common border of 2,252 Kms.. known as the Durand line with Afghanistan.
To the South of the Durand line, there is a common border of about 805 Kms.. with Iran. The Arabian Sea lies in the South. To the East is the Indian Territory of East Punjab and Rajasthan with a common border of about 1,610 Kms..
The climate of Pakistan varies widely from region to region. In the mountainous areas of the north and west, temperatures fall below freezing during winter. In the Indus Valley area, temperatures range from about 32� to 49�C (90� to 120�F) in summer, and the average in winter is about 13�C (55�F).
Throughout most of Pakistan, precipitation is scarce. The Punjab region receives the most rainfall, more than 508 millimeters (20 inches) per year. The arid regions of the southeast and southwest receive less than 127 millimeters (5 inches) annually. Most rain falls from July to September.
The Punjabi account for about 65 per cent of the population, the Sindhi for 13 per cent, and the Pashtun (Pathan) for 8 per cent. Other significant groups include the Baluchi and the Muhajir.
The country's urban areas have a population growth rate of 4.25 per cent (1995-2000); substantial migration to cities in recent years has contributed to this growth. Rapid urban migration has increased problems such as traffic congestion and pollution in cities.
Pakistan's head of state is the President, elected by the national and provincial legislatures, The Prime Minister is elected in a general election and is responsible for the running of the country. He is superceded by the President.
The bicameral legislature comprises a 217-member national assembly (the lower house) elected for five years, and an 87-member senate elected to six-year terms; one-third of senate seats are up for election every two years. Pakistan is made up of four provinces (each with an appointed governor and an elected legislature), the federal capital of Islamabad, and federally administered “tribal” areas. The voting age is 18.
About 77 per cent of the people of Pakistan are Sunni Muslim and 20 per cent are Shiite Muslim. Most of the other 3 per cent are Hindu or Christian. Freedom of worship is guaranteed. Muslims believe their destiny is subject to the will of Allah, and they practice the “five pillars of Islam”: to pray five times daily facing the Ka'aba (Namaz); to profess Allah as God and Muhammad as his prophet; to give to the poor (Zakat); to fast during the lunar month of Ramadan; and to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca (Haj).
Many languages and dialects are spoken in Pakistan, reflecting the country's ethnic diversity. Urdu is the national language though English is accepted as the official language and is used in government and education. However, the use of Urdu is preferred and generally encouraged in place of English to foster unity. Each province is free to use its own regional languages and dialects.
Introduced during the British colonial period, cricket and field hockey are amongst the most popular national sports, as is squash. Sports that have developed in Pakistan include a particular type of team wrestling called kabaddi, and polo, which was adopted by the British. Pakistanis also enjoy soccer and tennis.
Secular holidays include Pakistan Day (23 March); Labor Day (1 May); Independence Day (14 August); Defence of Pakistan Day (6 September); the Anniversary of the Death of Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the nation's founder (11 September); Allama Iqbal Day (9 November); and the Birth of Quaid-e-Azam (25 December). There are also bank holidays in December and July.
Islamic holidays are scheduled by the lunar calendar and fall on different days each year. The most important ones include Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, and Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi.
In late May 1998, in response to India conducting five underground nuclear tests earlier in the month, Pakistan in order to restore the regional balance of power in the wake of India's tests had no choice but to detonate a number of its own nuclear devices. The tests were successfully conducted in the remote Chagai region near the border with Iran.
