Factbook of Pakistan

Introduction:

Pakistan Is an Islamic Republic present in South Asia. It shares a border with India in east, China in the north east, Afghanistan in the west and has a 1,046 kilometers (650 mile) coastline along the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman in the south. Pakistan has four provinces namely Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Sarhad (N.W.F.P). Their respective capitals are Quetta, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi. In addition to these provinces is the Federally Administered Northern Area (FANA), which is divided into the districts of Diamer, Ghanche, Ghizer, Gilgit and Skardu. There are also seven Federally Administered Tribal Areas. (FATA). The land presently called Pakistan was a part of India during the British reign and gained independence on 1947 as a result of the Pakistan movement led by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Pakistan is the only nucear state amongst the Muslim nations.

Facts & figures:

Official Name:Islamic Republic of Pakistan Father of Nation:Mohammad Ali Jinnah

Capital:Islamabad National Poet:Allama Iqbal Population:165,900,000 (year2008)

President:Asif Ali Zardari Area:796,095 km2Prime Minister:Yousaf Raza Gilani

Currency:Pakistani RupeeChief Justice:Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry

Largest City:KarachiChairman Senate:Farooq Hamid Naek

Pakistan Map

Etymology:

The word "Pakistan" has a Persian origin and it means "The Land of Pure" which refers to the spirituality and ethics of it's people. This term was coined by Choudhary Rahmat Ali, an active supporter of the Pakistan Movement, in 1933. The word Pakistan is a beautiful combination of P (from the word Punjab), A (from the word Afghania), K (from the word Kashmir), and TAN (from the word Balochistan)

Pakistani Food

Pakistan is a land of diverse cultural values where people of each of the four provinces, namely Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Sarhad, have there own unique taste in food and dressing. The staple food of Pakistan is wheat and rice. The people of Sarhad have a special liking for meat and fruits (both fresh and dry). In the costal areas fish is the favorite. Milk, Lassi and other dairy products are liked in the province of Punjab. Lassi is also regarded as the national drink of Pakistan. Dishes like Sajji and Balti meat are preferred by the people of Balochistan and Sarhad. The special dish of Sindh is the Sindhi Baryani and that of Kashmir is the Kashmiri Tea and Chapel Kebabs. As a whole the people of Pakistan like food full of spices.

National anthem:

Approved in: June, 1954
Verses Composed by: Hafeez Jullundhri
Tune Composed by: Ahmed G. Chagla
Duration: 80 seconds

Area:

Punjab Province: 205,344 Sq. Km
Sindh Province: 140,914 Sq. Km
North West Frontier Province (NWFP): 74,521 Sq. Km
Balochistan Province: 347,190 Sq. Km
Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA): 27,220 Sq. Km
Islamabad (Capital): 906 Sq. Km
Total Area: 796,095 Sq. Km

Education:

Literacy rate of Pakistan is about 55.1% (2004). The educational system consists of the following levels: primary level education (grade 1-5), middle level education (grade 6-8), higher education (grade 9 & 10), intermediate education (grade 11 & 12) and university level education. Some facts about educational institutes are:

• Primary schools: 150,963

• Middle schools: 14,595

• High schools: 9,808

• Arts & science colleges: 798

• Professional colleges: 161

• Universities: 35 (10 in Private sector)

In addition to these institutes a number of Madrissahs are also working in the country providing religious education and boarding facilities free of cost. Government of Pakistan is trying to introduce reforms in the Madrissahs system.

Rivers:

The major rivers of Pakistan include Indus, Jehlum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej.

The Indus: 2896 km.
Jhelum: 825 km.
Chenab: 1242 km.
Ravi: 901 km.
Sutlej: 1551 km.

Health:

Some basic facts about health facilities in Pakistan are:
Hospitals: 830
Beds: 86,921
Doctors (registered): 74,229
Dentists (registered): 2,938
Nurses (registered): 22,810

Structure of government:

Pakistan has a federal structure of government. The Pakistani Parliament consists of the National Assembly and the Senate. Members of the National Assembly are directly elected and their tenure is five years. The National Assembly determines the major policy issues and passes an annual budget and legislation. It elects the Prime Minister from among its members. The Prime Minister forms the cabinet from among members of the Assembly and the Senate. Provinces have their own elected legislative assemblies and Chief Ministers. The Provincial Assemblies elect the majority of the members of the Upper House.

Culture:

In the ancient Indus valley (sub-continent) people belonging to different nations and cultures arrived and settled permanently. They belonged to Persia, Tooran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and Greece. They brought and promoted their own customs, traditions and culture with them. As a result a mixed culture cropped up. Urdu, the national language of Pakistan is a mixture of various languages like Turkish, Hindi, Arabic, Persian and English.

Pakistan has a rich cultural heritage along with high regard for Islamic values. Although the people of the tribal areas are still conservative to some extent and follow Islamic code of conduct strictly, in the urban areas a more broad-minded class is emerging. The Pakistani government actively supports all cultural activities. Pakistan occupies 46th rank on the AT. Kearney/FP Globalization Index. The music industry of Pakistan is flourishing at a great pace. Pakistani music ranges from mystic to the modern rock. The mystical poetry of Sindh and Balochistan is truly fascinating. Qawali is also famous in the country. Qawali is a replacement of Hindu Bhajans devised by the Chishtia group for the uplift of Islam in the sub-continent. Remarkable poets include Allama Iqbal (Urdu & Persian), Rehman Baba (Pashto), Sachal Sarmast. Most of the Pakistani people have an access to the Western and Indian media. During the Muslim era the Muslim rulers built a number of splendid buildings like:

• Tomb of Jehangir, Lahore.

• Shahi Mosque, Lahore.

• Shahi Fort, Lahore.

• Shalimar Gardens, Lahore.

• Chaburgi, Lahore.

• Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore.

• Jamia Masjid, Thatta.

• Mohabat Khan Mosque.

• The Fort of rohtas and Attock.

The modern architecture of the country is a combination of pre-Islamic architectural style, the Mughal art and, to some extent, the British style. The government of Pakistan is striving to preserve these sites.

Exports And imports:

The major exports of Pakistan include Raw cotton, Cotton products, Leather, Leather products, Surgical equipment, Sports goods and carpets etc Tea, milk and milk products, petroleum and it's products, heavy machinery, agricultural machinery, steel and iron are the major imports.

Sports:

The national game of Pakistan is Hockey while cricket is the most popular among Pakistani people. Polo is particularly famous in the northern regions of the country. The sporting activities have decreased since the attack on Sir Lankan cricket team in 2009.