Pakistan
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{{Infobox Country
|native_name = {{lang|ur|{{Nastaliq|اسلامی جمہورہہ پاکستان}}}}<br />''Islāmī Jumhūrīyah Pākistān''
|conventional_long_name = Islamic Republic of Pakistan
|common_name = Pakistan
|image_flag = Flag of Pakistan.svg
|image_coat = Coat of arms of Pakistan.svg
|image = K2 8611.jpg
|symbol_type = State Emblem
|image_map = LocationPakistan.svg
|national_motto = اتحاد، تنظيم، يقين محکم <br />''Ittehad, Tanzim, Yaqeen-e-Muhkam''{{spaces|2}}<small>([[Urdu]])<br />"Unity, Discipline and Faith"</small>
|national_anthem = "[[Qaumi Tarana]]"
|official_languages = [[Urdu language|Urdu]] (national)<br />[[English language|English]] (official)<ref name="pak.gov">{{cite web |url=http://www.pak.gov.pk/BasicFacts.aspx |title=Information of Pakistan: Basic Facts |author=Government of Pakistan |accessdate=2007-10-23}}</ref>
|regional_languages = [[Balochi language|Balochi]], [[Pashto language|Pashto]], [[Persian language|Persian]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]], [[Siraiki language|Siraiki]] , <ref name="mothertongues">{{cite web |url=http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/pop_by_mother_tongue.pdf |title=Population by Mother Tongue |publisher=Population Census Organization, Government of Pakistan |accessdate=2007-12-11|format=PDF}}</ref>
|demonym = [[Pakistani people|Pakistani]]
|official_religion = [[Islam]]
|capital = [[Islamabad]] |latd=33 |latm=40 |latNS=N |longd=73 |longm=10 |longEW=E
|largest_city = [[Karachi]]
|government_type = [[Islamic Republic]]
|leader_title1 = [[President of Pakistan|President]]
|leader_name1 = [[Pervez Musharraf]]
|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name2 = [[Yousaf Raza Gillani]]
|leader_title3 = [[Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan|Speaker of House]]
|leader_name3 = [[Fahmida Mirza]]
|leader_title4 = [[Chief Justice of Pakistan|Chief Justice]]
|leader_name4 = [[Abdul Hameed Dogar]]
|sovereignty_type = [[History of Pakistan|Formation]]
|established_event1 = [[Pakistan Movement|Independence]]
|established_date1 = from the [[United Kingdom]]
|established_event2 = [[Dominion of Pakistan|Declared]]
|established_date2 = [[14 August]] [[1947]]
|established_event3 = [[Islamic republic]]
|established_date3 = [[23 March]] [[1956]]
|area_km2 = 803,940
|area_sq_mi = 340,403
|area_rank = 34th
|area_magnitude =
|percent_water = 3.1
|population_estimate = 169,300,000<ref name="popestimate">{{cite web |url=http://www.prb.org/Countries/pakistan.aspx |title=Population Reference Bureau: Population Clock |publisher=Population Reference Bureau |accessdate=2008-04-03}}</ref>
|population_estimate_year = 2007
|population_estimate_rank = 6th
|population_census = 132,352,279<ref name="1998census">{{cite web |url=http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/area_pop/area_pop.html |title=Area, Population, Density and Urban/Rural Proportion by Administrative Units |publisher=Population Census Organization, Government of Pakistan |accessdate=2008-02-13}}</ref>
|population_census_year = 1998
|population_density_km2 = 206
|population_density_sq_mi = 534
|population_density_rank = 53rd
|GDP_PPP_year = 2008
|GDP_PPP = [[United States dollar|US$]] 504.3 billion<!--Latest IMF figure--><ref name="IMFdata">{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2007&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=564&s=PPPGDP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=52&pr.y=16 |title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects |publisher=International Monetary Fund |accessdate=2007-12-15}}</ref>
|GDP_PPP_rank = 21st
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = US$3320.12<!--Latest IMF figure-->
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 128th
|HDI_year = 2007
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.551
|HDI_rank = 136th
|HDI_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
|Gini = 30.6
|Gini_year = 2002
|Gini_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
|currency = [[Pakistani Rupee|Rupee]] (Rs.)
|currency_code = PKR
|time_zone = [[Pakistan Standard Time|PST]]
|utc_offset = +5
|time_zone_DST = [[Pakistan Daylight Saving Time|PDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = +6
|cctld = [[.pk]]
|calling_code = 92
}}
'''Pakistan''' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|پاکستان}}}} {{audio|Pakistan_pronunciation.ogg|listen}}), officially the '''Islamic Republic of Pakistan''', is a country located in [[South Asia]], [[Greater Middle East]] and converges with [[Central Asia]] and the [[Middle East]].<ref>[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761560851/Pakistan.html Encarta Encyclopedia - Pakistan]</ref><ref name="Middle East Institute">[http://www.mideasti.org/countries/countries.php?name=pakistan Middle East Institute: Pakistan]</ref> It has a 1,046 kilometer (650 mile) coastline along the [[Arabian Sea]] and [[Gulf of Oman]] in the south, and is bordered by [[Afghanistan]] and [[Iran]] in the west, [[India]] in the east and [[People's Republic of China|China]] in the far northeast.<ref name="Kashmir status">The [[Kashmir]] region is claimed by both India and Pakistan. Both countries and China separately administer parts of the region with the Indian and Pakistani-held areas defined by the [[Line of Control]]. India refers to [[Azad Kashmir]] and the [[Northern Areas]] as [[Pakistan Occupied Kashmir]](POK), while Pakistan refers to [[Jammu and Kashmir]] as [[Indian Occupied Kashmir]].</ref>
The region forming modern Pakistan was home to the ancient [[Indus Valley Civilization]] and then, successively, recipient of ancient [[Vedic]], [[Iranian peoples|Persian]], [[Indo-Greek]] and [[Islamic]] cultures. The area has witnessed invasions and settlement by the [[Persians]], [[Greeks]], [[Arabs]], [[Turkic peoples|Turks]], [[Afghan]]s and the [[Mongols]].<ref>[http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107861.html Pakistan] InfoPlease</ref> It was a part of [[British India]] until 1947, when the [[Pakistan movement|Pakistan Movement]] for a state for [[Muslims]], led by [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]] and the [[Muslim League]] resulted in the independence and creation of the state of Pakistan, that comprised the provinces of [[Sind]], [[Northwest Frontier Province]], [[West Punjab]], [[Baluchistan]] and [[East Bengal]]. With the adoption of its [[Constitution of Pakistan|constitution]] in 1956, Pakistan became an [[Islamic republic]]. In 1971, a civil war in [[East Pakistan]] resulted in the independence of [[Bangladesh]]. Pakistan's history has been characterized by periods of [[Economy of Pakistan|economic growth]], [[military rule]] and political instability.
Pakistan is the [[List of countries by population|sixth most populous country]] in the world and has [[Islam by country|the second largest Muslim population in the world]] after [[Indonesia]]. The country is listed among the "[[Next Eleven]]" economies. Pakistan is a founding member of the [[Organization of the Islamic Conference]], [[South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation]], [[Developing 8 Countries]] and the [[Economic Cooperation Organization]]. It is also a member of the [[United Nations]], [[Commonwealth of Nations]], [[World Trade Organization]], [[G33 (developing countries)|G33 developing countries]], [[Group of 77|Group of 77 developing nations]], [[major non-NATO ally|major non-NATO ally of the United States]] and is a [[List of states with nuclear weapons|nuclear state]].
==Etymology==
The name ''Pakistan'' ({{IPA2|paːkɪst̪aːn}}) means ''[[-stan|Land of]] (the) [[Paak|Pure]]'' in [[Urdu]] and [[Persian language|Persian]]. It was coined in 1934 as ''Pakstan'' by [[Choudhary Rahmat Ali]], who published it in his pamphlet ''[[Now or Never; Are We to Live or Perish Forever?|Now or Never]]''.<ref name="nowornever">{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00islamlinks/txt_rahmatali_1933.html|title=Now or never: Are we to live or perish for ever?|author=Choudhary Rahmat Ali|publisher=Columbia University|date=January 28, 1933|accessdate=2007-12-04}}</ref> The name represented the "thirty million Muslims of PAKSTAN, who live in the five Northern Units of (British) India — [[Punjab (Pakistan)|'''P'''unjab]], [[North-West Frontier Province|'''A'''fghania]] (also known as North-West Frontier Province), [[Kashmir|'''K'''ashmir]], [[Sindh|'''S'''indh]], and [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Baluchis'''tan''']]."<ref name="wolpert">{{cite book| last=Wolpert| first=Stanley A.| authorlink=Stanley Wolpert| title=Jinnah of Pakistan| publisher=Oxford University Press| date=1984| location=New York| isbn=0195034120}}</ref>
==History==
<!-- THIS SECTION IS A SUMMARY. CONSIDER ADDING MATERIAL TO THE 'HISTORY OF PAKISTAN' ARTICLE.-->
{{Main|History of Pakistan}}
[[Image:Mohenjo-daro Priesterkönig.jpeg|thumb|100px|left|"The Priest King" Wearing Sindhi Ajruk, ca. 2500 BC. National Museum, Karachi, Pakistan]]
From the earliest period of pre-history and recorded history of the region, modern Pakistan formed the heart-land of a larger territory, extending beyond its present eastern and western borders and receiving momentous and mighty impacts from both the directions.
The [[Indus River|Indus region]], which covers much of Pakistan, was the site of several ancient cultures including the Neolithic era [[Mehrgarh]] and the Bronze era [[Indus Valley Civilization]] (2500 BCE - 1500 BCE) at [[Harappa]] and [[Mohenjo-Daro]].<ref name="indus_valley">[http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/archaeology/sites/middle_east/mohenjo_daro.html Minnesota State University page on Mohenjo-Daro]</ref>
Waves of conquerors and migrants from the west - including [[Harappan]], [[Indo-Aryans|Indo-Aryan]], [[Persian empire|Persian]], [[Greece|Greek]], [[Saka]], [[Parthian]], [[Kushan]], [[Hephthalite]], [[Demography of Afghanistan|Afghan]], [[Arab]], [[Turkic peoples|Turkics]] and [[Mughal]] - settled in the region through out the centuries, influencing the locals and being absorbed among them. Great ancient empires of the east - such as [[Nandas]], [[Mauryas]], [[Guptas]] - ruled these territories at different times. However, in the medieval period, while the eastern provinces of Punjab and Sindh became aligned with [[Islam in India|Indo-Islamic civilisation]], the western areas became culturally allied with the [[Iranian peoples|Iranic civilisation]] of [[Afghanistan]] and [[Iran]].<ref name="Almanac">{{cite book| last=Wright| first=John W.| title=Universal Almanac| publisher=Andrews & McMeel Publishing| date=1997| location=New York| isbn=0836221877}}</ref> The region served as crossroads of historic trade routes, including the [[Silk Road]], and as a maritime entreport, for the coastal trade between [[Mesopotamia]] and beyond upto [[Rome]] in the west and [[Malabar]] and beyond upto [[China]] in the east.
.
The [[Indus Valley Civilization]] collapsed in the middle of the second millennium BCE and was followed by the [[Vedic Civilization]], which also extended over much of the Indo-Gangetic plains. Successive ancient empires and kingdoms ruled the region: the [[Achaemenid]] Persian empire<ref name="achaemenid">[http://www.livius.org/aa-ac/achaemenians/achaemenians.html Livius.org on the extent of the Achaemenid Empire]</ref> around 543 BCE, Greek empire founded by [[Alexander the Great]]<ref name="plutarch">[http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Alexander*/8.html#ref98 Plutarch's ''Life of Alexander'']</ref> in 326 BCE and the [[Mauryan]] empire there after. The [[Indo-Greek Kingdom]] founded by [[Demetrius I of Bactria|Demetrius of Bactria]] included [[Gandhara]] and [[Punjab region|Punjab]] from 184 BCE, and reached its greatest extent under [[Menander I|Menander]], establishing the [[Greco-Buddhism|Greco-Buddhist]] period with advances in trade and culture. The city of [[Taxila]] (Takshashila) became a major centre of learning in ancient times - the remains of the city, located to the west of [[Islamabad]], are one of the country's major [[archaeological site]]s.
In 712 [[Common Era|CE]], the Arab general [[Muhammad bin Qasim]]<ref name="qasim">[http://www.infinityfoundation.com/ECITChachnamaframeset.htm Infinity Foundation's translation of the Chach-Nama]</ref> conquered [[Sindh]] and [[Multan]] in southern [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]]. The Pakistan government's official chronology states that "its foundation was laid" as a result of this conquest.<ref name="Information of Pakistan"> {{cite web | title= History in Chronological Order | publisher= Government of Pakistan |url=http://www.infopak.gov.pk/History.aspx}}</ref> This [[Arab]] and [[Islam]]ic victory would set the stage for several successive Muslim empires in South Asia, including the [[Ghaznavid Empire]], the [[Muhammad of Ghor|Ghorid]] Kingdom, the [[Delhi Sultanate]] and the [[Mughal Empire]]. During this period, [[Sufi]] missionaries played a pivotal role in converting a majority of the regional Buddhist and Hindu population to [[Islam]]. The gradual decline of the Mughal Empire in the early eighteenth century provided opportunities for the [[Durrani Empire|Afghans]], [[Balochis]] and [[Sikh]]s to exercise control over large areas until the [[British East India Company]]<ref name="east_india">[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/pktoc.html Library of Congress study of Pakistan]</ref> gained ascendancy over South Asia.
[[Image:SepoyMutiny.jpg|thumb|right|180px|An engraving titled "Sepoy Indian troops dividing the spoils after their mutiny against British rule" gives a contemporary view of events from the British perspective.]]
The [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]], also known as the ''Sepoy Mutiny'', was the region's last major armed struggle against the foreign [[British Raj]] and it laid the foundations for the generally unarmed freedom struggle, led by the Hindu dominated [[Indian National Congress]], in the twentieth century. The [[All India Muslim League]] rose to popularity in the late 1930s amid fears of under-representation and neglect of Muslims in politics. On [[29 December]] [[1930]], [[Allama Iqbal]]'s presidential address called for an autonomous "state in northwestern India for Indian Muslims, within the body politic of India."<ref name="iqbal1">{{cite web| url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00islamlinks/txt_iqbal_1930.html| title=Sir Muhammad Iqbal's 1930 Presidential Address| work=Speeches, Writings, and Statements of Iqbal| accessdate=2006-12-19}}</ref> [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]] espoused the ''[[Two Nation Theory]]'' and led the Muslim League to adopt the ''[[Lahore Resolution]]'' of 1940 (popularly known as the [[Pakistan Resolution]]), which ultimately led to the formation of an independent Pakistan. In early 1947, Britain, weakened and devastated by [[Second World War]], announced to end its rule over [[British India]].
[[Image:GGJinnah.jpg|thumb|left|[[Governor General]] [[Jinnah]] delivering the opening address on [[11 August]] [[1947]] to the new state of Pakistan.]]
In June 1947, the nationalist leaders of [[British India]] - including Nehru and [[Abul Kalam Azad]] on behalf of the Congress, Jinnah representing the Muslim League, [[B. R. Ambedkar]] representing the [[Dalit|Untouchable]] community, and [[Master Tara Singh]] representing the [[Sikhs]] - agreed to the proposed terms of transfer of power and independence. The modern state of Pakistan was established on [[14 August]] [[1947]] (27 [[Ramadan]] 1366 in the [[Islamic Calendar]]), carved out of the two Muslim-majority wings in the eastern and northwestern regions of [[British India]] and comprising the provinces of [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]], [[East Bengal]], the [[North-West Frontier Province]], [[Punjab (Pakistan)|West Punjab]] and [[Sindh]]. The controversial division of the provinces of Punjab and Bengal set the stage for communal riots across India and Pakistan—millions of Muslims moved to Pakistan and millions of Hindus and [[Sikhs]] moved to India. Disputes arose over several [[princely state]]s including Muslim-majority [[Kashmir and Jammu]], whose ruler had acceded to India following an invasion by Pashtun warriors, leading to the [[First Kashmir War]] in 1948.
From 1947 to 1956, Pakistan was a [[Dominion]] in the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. It became a Republic in 1956, but the civilian rule was stalled by a [[coup d'etat]] by General [[Ayub Khan]], who was president during 1958–69, a period of internal instability and a [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|second war]] with India in 1965. His successor, [[Yahya Khan]] (1969–71) had to deal with a devastating [[1970 Bhola cyclone|cyclone]] - which caused 500,000 deaths in East Pakistan - and also face a civil war in 1971.
Economic greivances and political dissent in [[East Pakistan]] led to violent political tension and military repression that escalated into a [[civil war]]<ref name="1971war">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/south_asia/2002/india_pakistan/timeline/1971.stm 1971 war summary by BBC website]</ref>, which invited covert and later overt Indian intervention that escalated into the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], and ultimately to the secession of East Pakistan as the independent state of [[Bangladesh]].<ref name="Bangladesh">http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/17.htm US Country Studies article on the Bangladesh War]</ref> Estimates of the number of people killed during this episode vary greatly, from ~30,000 to over 2 million, depending on the source.
[[Image:PAK1971.jpg|thumb|The two wings of Pakistan in 1970; [[East Pakistan]] separated from the West wing in 1971 as an independent [[Bangladesh]].]]
Civilian rule resumed in Pakistan from 1972 to 1977, under [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]], until he was deposed and later sentenced to death, (in what his followers claimed was a judicial murder), in 1979 by General [[Zia-ul-Haq]], who became the country's third military president. Pakistan's [[secular]] policies were replaced by Zia's introduction of the Islamic [[Sharia]]h legal code, which increased religious influences on the civil service and the military. With the death of President Zia in a plane crash in 1988, [[Benazir Bhutto]], daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was elected as the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan. Over the next decade, she alternated power with [[Nawaz Sharif]], as the country's political and economic situation worsened. Pakistan got invoved in the 1991 [[Gulf War]] and sent 5,000 troops as part of a US led coalition, specifically for the defence of [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref name="gulf_war">[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/09/24/MN168392.DTL The 1991 Gulf war]</ref> Military tensions in the [[Kargil War|Kargil conflict]]<ref name="kargil">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/352995.stm Kargil conflict timeline on the BBC website]</ref> with India were followed by a [[1999 Pakistani coup d'état|Pakistani military coup d'état in 1999]]<ref name="1999coup">[http://www.news.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent.jhtml?html=/archive/1999/10/13/wcoo13.html Daily Telegraph (UK) article on the 1999 coup]</ref> in which General [[Pervez Musharraf]] assumed executive powers. In 2001, Musharraf became [[President of Pakistan|President]] after the controversial resignation of [[Rafiq Tarar]]. After the 2002 parliamentary elections, Musharraf transferred executive powers to newly elected Prime Minister [[Zafarullah Khan Jamali]], who was succeeded in the 2004 Prime-Ministerial election by [[Shaukat Aziz]] and was followed, for a temporary period in office, by [[Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain]]. On 15th November, 2007 the National Assembly completed its tenure and so, pending elections, a caretaker government was appointed with the former Chairman of the Senate, [[Muhammad Mian Soomro]] as caretaker Prime Minister. However, the December 2007 [[assassination of Benazir Bhutto]] during election campaign led to postponement of elections and also underscored the then prevailing instability of Pakistan's political system. After the elections, [[Yousaf Raza Gillani]] was sworn in as Prime Minister on 25th March 2008.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7312116.stm New Pakistan PM Gillani sworn in] - Accessed 25 March 2008</ref>
==Government and politics==
<!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series-->
{{main|Government of Pakistan|Politics of Pakistan}}
[[Image:Pakistani parliament house.jpg|thumb|right|Parliament house in [[Islamabad]]]]
The government of Pakistan was based on the [[Government of India Act 1935|Government of India Act (1935)]] for the first nine years after independence. The first [[Constitution of Pakistan]] was adopted in 1956, but was suspended in 1958 by General [[Ayub Khan]]. The Constitution of 1973 - suspended in 1977, by [[Zia-ul-Haq]], but re-instated in 1991 - is the country's most important document, laying the foundations of government. Pakistan is a [[Semi-presidential system|semi-presidential]] [[Federal republic|federal]] [[democratic]] [[republic]] with [[Islam]] as the state religion. The [[bicameral]] legislature comprises a 100-member [[Senate of Pakistan|Senate]] and a 342-member [[National Assembly of Pakistan|National Assembly]]. The [[President of Pakistan|President]] is the [[Head of State]] and the [[Commander in Chief]] of the Armed Forces and is elected by an [[Electoral College of Pakistan|electoral college]]. The [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|prime minister]] is usually the leader of the largest party in the National Assembly. Each province has a similar system of government with a directly elected Provincial Assembly in which the leader of the largest party or alliance becomes Chief Minister. Provincial Governors are appointed by the President.
[[Image:2006 Musharaff at the White House.jpeg|thumb|left|US President [[George W. Bush]] and [[Pervez Musharraf|President Musharraf]] in late 2006]]
The [[Military of Pakistan|Pakistani military]] has played an influential role in mainstream [[Politics of Pakistan|politics]] throughout Pakistan's history, with military presidents ruling from 1958–71, 1977–88 and from 1999 onwards. The leftist [[Pakistan Peoples Party]], led by [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]], emerged as a major political player during the 1970s. Under the military rule of [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq]], Pakistan began a marked shift from the British-era secular politics and policies, to the adoption of [[Sharia]]t and other laws based on Islam. During the 1980s, the anti-[[feudal]], pro-[[Muhajir (Pakistan)|Muhajir]] [[Muttahida Qaumi Movement]] (MQM) was started by unorthodox and educated urban dwellers of [[Sindh]] and particularly [[Karachi]]. The 1990s were characterized by coalition politics dominated by the Pakistan Peoples Party and a rejuvenated Muslim League.
In the October 2002 general elections, the [[Pakistan Muslim League (Q)]] (PML-Q) won a [[plurality]] of National Assembly seats with the second-largest group being the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), a sub-party of the PPP. [[Zafarullah Khan Jamali]] of PML-Q emerged as Prime Minister but resigned on [[26 June]] [[2004]] and was replaced by PML-Q leader [[Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain]] as interim Prime Minister. On [[28 August]], [[2004]] the National Assembly voted 191 to 151 to elect the [[Finance Minister of Pakistan|Finance Minister]] and former [[Citibank]] Vice President [[Shaukat Aziz]] as Prime Minister. The [[Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal]], a coalition of Islamic religious parties, won elections in [[North-West Frontier Province]], and increased their representation in the National Assembly - until their defeat in the 2008 elections.
[[Image:House of the Prime Minister of Pakistan in Islamabad.jpg|thumb|right|Prime Minister's Secretariat, Islamabad]]
Pakistan is an active member of the [[United Nations]] (UN) and the [[Organisation of the Islamic Conference]] (OIC), the latter of which Pakistan has used as a forum for ''Enlightened Moderation'', a plan to promote a [[renaissance]] and [[Age of Enlightenment|enlightenment]] in the Muslim world. Pakistan is also a member of the major regional organisations of the [[South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation]] (SAARC) and the [[Economic Cooperation Organisation]] (ECO). In the past, Pakistan has had mixed relations with the United States; in the early 1950s, Pakistan was the United States' "most allied ally in Asia"<ref name="mostallied">[http://www.fpa.org/newsletter_info2583/newsletter_info_sub_list.htm?section=Pakistan%3A%20The%20Most%20Allied%20Ally%20in%20Asia Pakistan: The Most Allied Ally in Asia]</ref> and a member of both the [[Central Treaty Organisation]] (CENTO) and the [[Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation]] (SEATO). Also, during the [[Soviet-Afghan War]] in the 1980s Pakistan was a crucial US ally. But relations soured in the 1990s, when sanctions were applied by the US over suspicions of Pakistan's nuclear activities. However, the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] and the subsequent [[War on Terrorism]] have seen an improvement in US–Pakistan ties, especially after Pakistan ended its support of the [[Taliban]] regime in [[Kabul]]. This was evidenced by a drastic increase in American military aid, which saw Pakistan take in $4 billion more in three years after the 9/11 attacks than in the three years before.<ref name="blankcheck">{{cite news| coauthors=Nathaniel Heller, Sarah Fort, Marina Walker Guevara, Ben Welsh| title=Pakistan's $4.2 Billion 'Blank Check' for U.S. Military Aid, After 9/11, funding to country soars with little oversight| url=http://www.publicintegrity.org/icij/default.aspx| publisher=[[Center for Public Integrity]]| date=2007-03-27}}</ref>
On [[18 February]], [[2008]], Pakistan held its [[Pakistani general election, 2008|general elections]] after being postponed from [[8 January]] [[2008]].<ref name="NPR">{{cite news|author=Ahmed Rashid |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6211639.stm?lsf|title=Pakistan's uncertain year ahead|publisher=BBC News|date=[[2007-01-10]]|accessdate=2008-04-02}}</ref> The [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] won the majority of the votes and formed an alliance with the [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)]]. They nominated and elected [[Yousaf Raza Gilani]] as [[Prime Minister of Pakistan]] <ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080324/ap_on_re_mi_ea/pakistan_politics|title=Pakistani prime minister frees judges|publisher=AP|date=[[2008-03-24]]|accessdate=2008-04-02}}</ref>
==Subdivisions==
[[Image:Sub Pakistan.png|thumb|Provinces and territories of Pakistan]]
{{main|Subdivisions of Pakistan|Districts of Pakistan}}
Pakistan is a [[federation]]<ref name="federation">{{cite web| url=http://www.nrb.gov.pk/constitutional_and_legal/constitution/part1.notes.html| title=The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan: Part I| publisher=National Reconstruction Bureau, Government of Pakistan| accessdate=2008-02-14}}</ref> of four provinces, a capital territory and federally administered tribal areas. The government of Pakistan exercises ''de facto'' jurisdiction over the western parts of the disputed [[Kashmir]] region,<ref name="Kashmir status"/> organised as two separate political entities ([[Azad Kashmir]] and [[Northern Areas]]). Pakistan also claims the Indian state of [[Jammu and Kashmir]].
The third tier of government was composed of 26 [[Divisions of Pakistan|divisions]] with two further tiers ([[Districts of Pakistan|districts]] and [[tehsil]]s) administered directly from the provincial level. The divisions were abolished in 2001<ref name="devolution">{{cite web| url=http://www.decentralization.org.pk/whatisdsp.asp| title=What is Decentralization Support Program| publisher=Decentralization Support Program, Government of Pakistan| accessdate=2008-02-08}}</ref> and a new three-tiered system of local government came into effect comprising districts, tehsils and [[Union Councils of Pakistan|union councils]] with an elected body at each tier. There are currently 107 districts in Pakistan proper, each with several tehsils and union councils. The tribal areas comprise seven tribal agencies and six small frontier regions detached from neighbouring districts whilst Azad Kashmir comprises seven districts and Northern Areas comprises six districts.
'''Provinces''':
# [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]]
# [[North-West Frontier Province]] (NWFP)
# [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]]
# [[Sindh]]
:* Balochistan and NWFP also have [[Provincially Administered Tribal Areas]]<ref name="tribalareas">{{cite web| url=http://www.nrb.gov.pk/constitutional_and_legal/constitution/part12.ch3.html| title=The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan: Part XII| publisher=National Reconstruction Bureau, Government of Pakistan| accessdate=2008-02-14}}</ref> (PATA) which are being developed into regular districts.
'''Territories''':
<ol start=5>
<li> [[Islamabad Capital Territory]]
<li> [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas]]
<li> [[Azad Kashmir]]<ref name="Kashmir status"/>
<li> [[Northern Areas]]
</ol>
==Military==
<!--THIS SECTION IS A SUMMARY - PLEASE ADD NEW MATERIAL TO THE MAIN ARTICLE-->
[[Image:Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Shahjahan & Tippi Sultan.jpeg|thumb|left|[[Pakistan Navy]] ships taking part in Operation Inspired Siren]]
{{Main|Military of Pakistan}}
The [[Military of Pakistan|armed forces]] of Pakistan are a completely volunteer force and are the [[List of countries by number of active troops|seventh largest]] in the world. The three main components are the [[Pakistan Army|Army]], [[Pakistan Navy|Navy]] and [[Pakistan Air Force|Air Force]], supported by a number of [[Paramilitary forces of Pakistan|paramilitary forces]] which carry out internal security roles and border patrols. The [[Pakistan National Command Authority|National Command Authority]] is responsible for exercising employment and development control of all strategic nuclear forces and organizations.
The Pakistan military first saw combat in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|First Kashmir War]], gaining control of what is now [[Pakistan-administered Kashmir]]. In 1961, the army repelled a major [[Military history of Pakistan#Pakistan-Afghanistan border clash of 1961|Afghan incursion]] on Pakistan's western border.<Ref>{{cite book
|author= Ian Talbot
|title= The Armed Forces of Pakistan
|publisher= Macmillan
|year= 1999
|pages= p99
|isbn= 0312216068
}}</ref> In 1965, Pakistan fought the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Second Kashmir War]] with India, and in 1971 the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] broke out. In 1973, the military quelled a [[Military history of Pakistan#Baloch Nationalist uprisings (1973-1978)|Baloch nationalist uprising]]. During the [[Soviet war in Afghanistan|Soviet-Afghan war]], Pakistan shot down several intruding aircraft, as well as provided covert support to the [[Afghan mujahideen]] through the [[Inter-Services Intelligence]] agency. In 1999, Pakistan was involved in the [[Kargil War|Kargil conflict]] with India. Currently, the military is engaged in an [[War in Pakistan (2004–present)|armed conflict]] with orthodox 'Islamic militants' in the north-west of the country.
The Pakistani armed forces are the largest contributors to [[Military of Pakistan - United Nations Peacekeeping missions|United Nations]] peacekeeping efforts, with more than 10,000 personnel deployed in 2007.<ref name="unpko-summary">{{cite web | title=Monthly Summary of Contributors to UN Peacekeeping Operations| url=http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/contributors/2007/march07_2.pdf| publisher=United Nations| format=PDF| accessdate=2007-04-20}}</ref> Pakistan provided a military contingent to the Coalition during the first [[Gulf War]] and in the past Pakistani personnel volunteered to serve in the armed forces of Arab countries involved in conflicts with [[Israel]].<ref>[http://www.defence.pk/pakistan-army.html] Pakistan Army</ref>
==Geography and climate==
{{main|Geography of Pakistan}}
[[Image:K2 8611.jpg|thumb|[[K2]], at 8,611 metres (28,251 ft), is the second highest peak in the world.]]
Pakistan covers {{convert|340403|sqmi|km2|0}},<ref name="area_from_factbook"> [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html The area of Pakistan proper excludes the regions administered in Kashmir] URL accessed on [[November 03]], [[2006]]</ref> approximately the combined land areas of [[France]] and the [[United Kingdom]], with its eastern regions located on the [[Indian plate|Indian tectonic plate]] and the western and northern regions on the [[Iranian plateau]] and [[Eurasian landplate]]. Apart from the 1,046 kilometre<!--Format per WP:MOSNUM --> (650 mi) [[Arabian Sea]] coastline, Pakistan's land borders total 6,774 kilometres—2,430 kilometres (1,509 mi) with Afghanistan to the northwest, 523 kilometres (325 mi) with China to the northeast, 2,912 kilometres (1,809 mi) with India to the east and 909 kilometres (565 mi) with Iran to the southwest.<ref name="ciafactbook">{{cite web| url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html| title=Pakistan| publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]]| work=[[World Factbook]]| accessdate=2008-02-13}}</ref>
The different types of natural features range from the sandy beaches, [[lagoon]]s, and [[mangrove]] swamps of the southern coast to preserved beautiful moist temperate forests and the icy peaks of the [[Himalaya]], [[Karakoram]] and [[Hindu Kush]] mountains in the north. There are an estimated 108 peaks above 7,000 metres (23,000 ft) high that are covered in snow and [[glaciers]]. Five of the mountains in Pakistan (including [[Nanga Parbat]]) are over 8,000 metres (26,000 ft). [[India]]n-controlled Kashmir to the [[Northern Areas|Northern Areas of Pakistan]] and running the length of the country is the [[Indus River]] with its many tributaries. The northern parts of Pakistan attract a large number of foreign tourists. To the west of the Indus are the dry, hilly deserts of [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]]; to the east are the rolling sand dunes of the [[Thar Desert]]. The [[Tharparkar]] desert in the southern province of Sindh, is the only fertile desert in the world. Most areas of Punjab and parts of Sindh are fertile plains where agriculture is of great importance.
The climate varies as much as the scenery, with cold winters and hot summers in the north and a mild climate in the south, moderated by the influence of the ocean. The central parts have extremely hot summers with temperatures rising to 45 °C (113 °F), followed by very cold winters, often falling below freezing. Officially the highest temperature recorded in Pakistan is {{convert|50.55|C|F|lk=on}} at Pad Idan.<ref name="temperatures">{{cite web |url=http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/scienceques2001/20020524.htm |title=Science Question of the Week |accessdate=2007-12-31 |author=Goddard Space Flight Center |authorlink=Goddard Space Flight Center |date=2002-05-24 |publisher=NASA}}</ref> There is very little rainfall ranging from less than 250 millimetres to more than 1,250 millimetres (9.8–49.2 in), mostly brought by the unreliable south-westerly [[monsoon]] winds during the late summer. The construction of dams on the rivers and the drilling of water wells in many drier areas have temporarily eased water shortages at the expense of down-gradient populations.
==Flora and fauna==
[[Image:Schraubenziege - Markhor.jpg|thumb|The [[Markhor]] is the national animal of Pakistan]]
The wide variety of landscapes and climates in Pakistan allows for a wide variety of wild animals and birds. The forests range from [[coniferous]] [[alpine]] and [[subalpine]] trees such as spruce, pine, and [[deodar cedar]] in the northern mountains to [[deciduous]] trees such as the mulberry-type Shisham in the [[Sulaiman Mountains|Sulaiman range]] in the south. The western hills have [[juniper]] and [[tamarisk]] as well as coarse grasses and scrub plants. Along the coast are [[mangrove]] forests which form much of the coastal wetlands.
In the south, there are crocodiles in the murky waters at the mouth of the Indus River whilst on the banks of the river, there are boars, deer, [[porcupine]]s, and small rodents. In the sandy scrublands of central Pakistan are found jackals, hyenas, wild cats, panthers, and leopards while the clear blue skies abound with hawks, falcons, and eagles. In the southwestern deserts are rare Asiatic cheetahs. In the northern mountains are a variety of endangered animals including [[Marco Polo sheep]], [[Urial|Urial sheep]], [[Markhor]] and [[Ibex]] goats, [[Asiatic black bear|black]] and [[Brown bear|brown]] Himalayan bears, and the rare [[Snow Leopard]]. During August 2006, Pakistan donated an orphaned snow leopard cub called Leo to USA.<ref name="Pakistan donates snow leopard to USA">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4776031.stm Leo the snow leopard is US-bound]</ref> Another rare species is the blind [[Indus River Dolphin]] of which there are believed to be about 1,000 remaining, protected in two major sanctuaries. In recent years the number of wild animals being killed for fur and leather trading led to a new law banning the hunting of wild animals and birds and the establishment of several wildlife sanctuaries and game reserves.<ref name="wildlife">[http://www.wildlifeofpakistan.com/wildlifesanctuarygamereservesmap.htm Wildlife Sanctuaries of Pakistan]</ref>
==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Pakistan}}
[[Image:Mainboulevard1cg.jpeg|thumb|Downtown [[Lahore]] is a major commercial hub in the region]]
Pakistan is a rapidly developing country<ref name="gulfmedia">{{cite web| url=http://www.gulfinthemedia.com/index.php?m=araa&lang=en&id=2126| title=GCC investments in Pakistan and future trends| publisher=Gulf Research Center| date=2007-01-03| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref><ref name="mcb>{{cite web| url=http://www.mcb.com.pk/quick_links/pdf/Quid%20Pro%20Quo%2045%20Tales%20of%20Success.pdf| title=Quid Pro Quo 45 – Tales of Success| publisher=Muslim Commercial Bank of Pakistan| format=PDF| date=2007-09-19| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref><ref name="bbcbusiness">{{cite web| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5007680.stm| title=Pakistan steels itself for sell-offs| publisher=BBC News| date=2006-06-01| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> and a major emerging market,<ref name="mscibarra">{{cite web| url=http://www.mscibarra.com/products/indices/equity/definitions.jsp#ACWI| title=MSCI Regional Equity Indices| publisher=MSCI Barra| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> with an economic growth rate of 7 percent per annum for four consecutive years up to 2007.<ref name="growthrate1">{{cite web| url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\12\01\story_1-12-2006_pg5_4| title=7% growth achieved in FY 05–06| publisher=Daily Times of Pakistan| date=2006-12-01| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref><ref name="growthrate2">{{cite web| url=http://www.pakistantimes.net/2007/06/02/business1.htm| title=Pakistan Economy Registers 7% Growth Rate for 4th Consecutive Year| publisher=Pakistan Times| date=2007-06-02| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> Despite being a very poor country in 1947, Pakistan's economic growth rate was better than the global average during the subsequent four decades, but imprudent policies led to a slowdown in the late 1990s.<ref name="econ_1990s">{{cite web| url=http://www.pakistanstudies-aips.org/en/economy.htm| title=Pakistan Studies; Economy| publisher=American Institute of Pakistan Studies| accessdate=2006-11-20}}</ref> Recently, wide-ranging economic reforms have resulted in a stronger economic outlook and accelerated growth especially in the [[manufacturing]] and [[financial services]] [[List of recognized economic sectors|sector]]s. There has been great improvement in the [[Foreign exchange market|foreign exchange]] position and rapid growth in [[hard currency]] reserves in recent years. The 2005 estimate of foreign debt was close to US$40 billion. However, this has decreased in recent years with assistance from the [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF) and significant debt-relief from the United States. Pakistan's [[gross domestic product]], as measured by [[purchasing power parity]] (PPP), is estimated to be US$475.4 billion<ref name="imfdata">{{cite web| url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2007&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=564&s=PPPGDP%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a=&pr.x=59&pr.y=1| title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects (PPP)| publisher=International Monetary Fund| date=October 2007| }}</ref> while its [[per capita income]] (PCI) stands at $2,942.<ref name="imfdata"/> The poverty rate in Pakistan is estimated to be between 23%<ref name="wbundp">{{cite web| url=http://www.dawn.com/2006/06/20/top1.htm| title=WB, UNDP question poverty estimates| publisher=Dawn Group of Newspapers| date=2006-06-20| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> and 28%.<ref name="ciapeople">{{cite web| url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html#People| title=Pakistan: People| work=The World Factbook| publisher=CIA| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> Pakistan's GDP growth rates have seen a steady increase over the last 5 years. However, inflationary pressures and a low savings rate, among other economic factors, could make it difficult to sustain a high growth rate.<ref name="JohnWall2006">{{cite web| url=http://go.worldbank.org/5NNJSLD2B0| title=Concluding Remarks at the Pakistan Development Forum 2006| author=John Wall| publisher=World Bank| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref><ref name="adb">{{cite web| url=http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2006/9638-regional-GDP-table/| title=Country-by-Country Growth and Forecasts| accessdate=2008-02-12| publisher=Asian Development Bank}}</ref><ref name="dtview">{{cite web| url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C05%5C01%5Cstory_1-5-2006_pg3_5| title=View: Is GDP growth sustainable?| publisher=Daily Times Newspaper| date=2006-05-01| accessdate=2006-02-12}}</ref>
The structure of the Pakistani economy has changed from a mainly agricultural base to a strong service base. Agriculture now only accounts for roughly 20% of the GDP, while the [[Service Sector|service sector]] accounts for 53% of the GDP with [[wholesale]] and [[retail]] trade forming 30% of this sector. In the past few years, the [[Karachi Stock Exchange]] has increased in value along with most of the world's [[emerging markets]]. Significant foreign investments have been made in several areas including [[Communications in Pakistan|telecommunications]], real estate and energy.<ref name="FDI1">{{cite web| url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\01\story_1-4-2007_pg5_2| title=FDI to touch $7 billion by year-end: SBP governor| publisher=Daily Times of Pakistan| date=2007-04-01| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>.<ref name="FDI2">{{cite web| url=http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?173789| title=Foreign investment to reach $7 billion during current fiscal: Governor SBP| publisher=Pak Tribune| date=2007-04-01| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> Other major industries include [[software]], [[automotives]], [[textiles]], [[cement]], [[fertilizer]], [[steel]], [[ship building]], [[Pakistan Aeronautical Complex|aerospace]] and [[Arms industry|arms manufacturing]].
In November of 2006 [[People's Republic of China|China]] and Pakistan signed a [[Free Trade Agreement]] hoping to triple bilateral trade from $4.2 billion ([[USD]]) to $15 billion ([[USD]]) within the next five years.<ref name="peoplesdaily">{{cite web| url=http://english.people.com.cn/200611/27/eng20061127_325492.html| title=Experts: Enhance economic links| publisher=People's Daily Online| date=2006-11-27| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>
Pakistan's exports in 2007 amounted to $20.58 billion ([[USD]]).<ref name="ciaexport">{{cite web| url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html#Econ| title=Pakistan: Economy| publisher=CIA| work=The World Factbook| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>
==Demographics==
{{main|Demographics of Pakistan}}
[[Image:Karachi St. Patricks Cathedral.jpg|thumb|[[Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Karachi|Saint Patrick's Cathedral]] in Karachi]]
Pakistan had an estimated population of 169,300,000 as of July 2007,<ref name="popestimate"/> making it the world's sixth largest [[population]] and placing it higher than [[Russia]] and lower than [[Brazil]]. Pakistan is expected to have a population of around 208 million by the year 2020 because of the high growth rate.<ref>[http://esa.un.org/unpp/p2k0data.asp UN world population prediction, 2006] Retrieved on [[June 10]], [[2008]]</ref> Population projections for Pakistan are relatively difficult because of the apparent differences in the accuracy of each census and the inconsistencies between various surveys related to the fertility rate, but it is likely that the rate of growth peaked in the 1980s and has since declined significantly.<ref name="population">[http://www.gfeeney.com/pubs/2003-pakistan-fertility-2/2003-pakistan-fertility-2.pdf Feeney and Alam, 2003]</ref> The population was estimated at 162,400,000<ref name="prb">[http://www.prb.org/pdf05/05WorldDataSheet_Eng.pdf Population Reference Bureau's 2005 World Data Sheet]</ref> on [[July 1]], [[2005]], with a fertility rate of 34 per thousand, a death rate of 10 per thousand, and the rate of natural increase at 2.4%. Pakistan also has a high infant mortality rate of 70 per thousand births.<ref name="US Census Bureau 2">[http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbprint.html International Data Base] U.S. Census Bureau. URL accessed on [[17 October]] [[2006]].</ref>
[[Image:Pakistan ethnic 1973.jpg|thumb|left|Major Ethnic Groups in Pakistan]]
The major ethnic groups are - [[Punjabis]] (44.68% of the population), [[Pashtuns]] (15.42%),[[Sindhis]] (14.1%), [[Seraikis]] (8.38%), [[Muhajir (Pakistan)|Muhajir]]s (7.57%), [[Balochis]] (3.57%) and others (6.08%). As of early 2007, about 2 million registered [[Afghan refugees]] remain in Pakistan as a result of the on going war and instability in [[Afghanistan]].<ref>[[Government of Pakistan]] - National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA), [http://www.nadra.gov.pk/DesktopModules/top/topmore.aspx?tabID=0&ItemID=48&bID=0&Mid=3026 ''NADRA Has Registered 2.15 Million Afghan Refugees''], February 15, 2007.</ref>
Although spoken only by a minority of Pakistanis, [[Urdu]] is the [[Languages of Pakistan|national language]] and ''[[lingua franca]]'' of Pakistan, while [[English language|English]] is the [[official language]], used in the [[Constitution of Pakistan|Constitution]] and widely used by businesses, educated urban classes and most universities. [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] is the largest indigenous language and is spoken by over 60 million people, but has no official recognition in the country.<ref name=Punjabi> [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=pnb Ethnologue Western Punjabi]</ref> Other significant languages spoken in Pakistan include (in order of number of speakers): [[Pashto language|Pashto]], [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]], [[Saraiki language|Saraiki]], and [[Balochi language|Balochi]]; [[English language|English]] is mostly spoken by educated peoples.<ref name="VOA News">[http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/Wordmaster/2008-05-08-voa3.cfm In Pakistan, a Big Push to Teach English; Local Versions Flourish] VOA News. URL accessed on [[May 18]] [[2008]].</ref>
The demographics of religion in Pakistan were significantly altered in 1947 by the migration of Muslims from India to Pakistan, and that of Hindus and Sikhs of Pakistan to India. Census data indicates that 96% of the population are [[Islam in Pakistan|Muslim]]s,<ref name="census">{{cite web| url=http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/pop_by_religion.pdf| title=Population by religion| publisher=Population Census Organization, Government of Pakistan| accessdate=2008-02-13|format=PDF}}</ref> (nearly 77% are [[Sunni Muslims]] and 20% are [[Shi'a Muslims]]).<ref name="ciafactbook"/> Minority religions include [[Hinduism in Pakistan|Hinduism]] (1.85%), [[Christianity in Pakistan|Christianity]] (1.6%), as well as much smaller numbers of [[Sikhism in Pakistan|Sikh]]s (Around 0.04%), [[Parsi]]s, [[Ahmadi]]s, [[Buddhist]]s, [[History of the Jews in Pakistan|Jew]]s, [[Bahá'í Faith|Bahá'í]]s, and [[Animist]]s (mainly the [[Kalasha of Chitral]]). Pakistan is the second most populous [[Islam by country#Top sixty|Muslim-majority country]]<ref name="ayres">Robert Ayres, Turning Point: The End of the Growth Paradigm, James & James/Earthscan, 1998, pp. 63. ISBN 1853834394</ref> and also has the second largest [[Shi'a population]] in the world.<ref name="Islamic Web">[http://www.islamicweb.com/beliefs/cults/shia_population.htm How Many Shia Are In The World?] islamicweb.com. URL accessed on [[May 18]] [[2008]].</ref>
{{-}}
{{List of Pakistani cities by population}}
{{-}}
==Education==
{{Main|Education in Pakistan}}
[[Image:June21-2004-ThePunjabUniversity-OldCampusBuilding-1.jpeg|thumb|right|[[University of the Punjab]]]]
Education in Pakistan is divided into five levels: [[Primary education|primary]] (grades one through five); [[Middle school|middle]] (grades six through eight); [[Secondary education|high]] (grades nine and ten, leading to the [[Secondary School Certificate]]); [[Secondary education|intermediate]] (grades eleven and twelve, leading to a Higher Secondary School Certificate); and [[university]] programmes leading to [[Undergraduate education|graduate]] and [[postgraduate education|advanced]] degrees.<ref name="moe">{{cite web| url=http://www.moe.gov.pk/Pakistan_diag_report.pdf | title=Diagnostic Report| publisher=Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan| format=PDF| accessdate=2008-02-13}}</ref>
Pakistan also has a parallel secondary school education system in private schools, which is based upon the curriculum set by the [[University of Cambridge]]. Some students choose to take the [[Ordinary Level|O level]] and [[Advanced level|A level]] exams, which are administered by the [[British Council]],<ref name="britishcouncil">{{cite web| url=http://www.britishcouncil.org/pakistan-exams-gce.htm| title=GCE O and A level exams in Pakistan| publisher=The British Council| accessdate=2008-02-13}}</ref> in place of government exams.
There are currently 730 [[Vocational education|technical & vocational institutions]] in Pakistan.<ref name="moe2">{{cite web| url=http://www.moe.gov.pk/Education.pdf| title=Medium Term Development framework 2005-10| publisher=Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan| accessdate=2008-02-13|format=PDF}}</ref> The minimum qualifications to enter male vocational institutions, is the completion of grade 8. The programmes are generally two to three years in length. The minimum qualifications to enter female vocational institutions, is the completion of grade 5.<ref> [http://www.wes.org/ca/wedb/pakistan/pkedov.htm Structure of Pakistani Education]. <u>World Education Services</u>. Retrieved on [[February 10]], [[2008]]</ref>
All academic education institutions are the responsibility of the [[Government of Pakistan#Provincial governments|provincial governments]]. The [[Government of Pakistan|federal government]] mostly assists in curriculum development, accreditation and some financing of research.
[[English medium education]] is to be extended, on a phased basis, to all schools across the country.<ref name="moe3">{{cite web| url=http://www.moe.gov.pk/| title=Ministry of Education| publisher=Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan| accessdate=2008-02-13}}</ref> Through various educational reforms, by the year 2015, the ministry of education expects to attain 100% enrolment levels amongst primary school aged children, and a literacy rate of 86% amongst people aged over 10.<ref name="moe4">{{cite web| url=http://www.moe.gov.pk/npamain.htm| title=National Plan of Action| publisher=Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan| accessdate=2008-02-13}}</ref>
==Society and culture==
{{main|Culture of Pakistan}}
Pakistan has a rich and unique culture that has preserved established traditions throughout history. Many cultural practices, foods, monuments, and shrines were inherited from the rule of Muslim [[Mughal]] and [[Afghan]] emperors. The national dress of [[shalwar qamiz]] is originally of [[Central Asian]] origin derived from [[Turko-Iranian]] nomadic invaders and is today worn in all parts of Pakistan. Women wear brightly coloured shalwar qamiz, while men often wear solid-coloured ones. In cities western dress is also popular among the youth and the business sector.
[[Image:0407 207.jpg|thumb|right| A sitar workshop in [[Islamabad]]]]
Pakistani society is largely [[multilingual]] and 96% [[Muslim]], with high regard for traditional family values, although urban families have grown into a [[nuclear family]] system due to the socio-economic constraints imposed by the traditional [[joint family]] system. Recent decades have seen the emergence of a middle class in cities like [[Karachi]], [[Lahore]], [[Rawalpindi]], [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]], [[Faisalabad]], and [[Peshawar]] that wish to move in a more liberal direction,<ref name="secular_middle">Beinart, Peter. [https://ssl.tnr.com/p/docsub.mhtml?i=20020701&s=trb070102 "Understate". <u>The New Republic Online<u>. July 01, 2002.]</ref> as opposed to the northwestern regions bordering Afghanistan that remain highly conservative and dominated by centuries-old regional [[Tribal Areas of Pakistan|tribal]] customs. Increasing [[globalization]] has increased the influence of "Western culture" with Pakistan ranking 46th on the [[A.T. Kearney]]/[[Foreign Policy|FP]] [[Globalization Index]].<ref name="globalization">[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/issue_marapr_2004/countrydetail.php?country=Pakistan Kearney Foreign Policy Globalization Index]</ref> There are an approximated four million people of Pakistani descent living abroad,<ref name="expats">Aslam, S.M., [http://www.pakistaneconomist.com/database1/cover/c2000-50.asp Expatriates to Build Better Pakistan], Pakistan & Gulf Economist, 11–17 December 2000, URL accessed [[March 17]], [[2006]]</ref> with close to a half-million [[expatriate]]s living in the United States<ref name="expats_us">Ahmed, Faish. "U.S. Rules Give Pakistan a Windfall". ''Wall Street Journal''. New York, New York. [[October 22]], [[2003]]. Page A18.</ref>, around a million living in Saudi Arabia<ref name="expats_saudi">Hussain, Shaiq. [http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/june-2005/25/index11.php Musharraf to focus on Palestine in Saudia visit from today]. <u>The Nation</u>. [[June 25]], [[2005]]. URL accessed [[March 17]], [[2006]]</ref> and nearly one million in the [[United Kingdom]], all providing burgeoning cultural connections.<ref name="expats_uk">Howells, Kim. [http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=225131&NewsAreaID=2 Kim Howells arrives in Pakistan]. <u>Foreign and Commonwealth Office (National)</u>. [[September 6]], [[2006]]. URL accessed [[October 22]], [[2006]]</ref>
The variety of [[Music of Pakistan|Pakistani music]] ranges from diverse provincial [[folk music]] and traditional styles such as [[Qawwali]] and [[Ghazal|Ghazal Gayaki]] to modern forms fusing traditional and western music, such as the synchronisation of Qawwali and western music by the world renowned [[Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan]]. In addition Pakistan is home to many famous folk singers such as the late [[Alam Lohar]], who is also well known in [[Punjab (India)|Indian Punjab]]. The arrival of [[Afghan refugees]] in the western provinces has rekindled [[Pashto]] and [[Persians|Persian]] music and established [[Peshawar]] as a hub for Afghan musicians and a distribution centre for Afghan music abroad.<ref>Tohid, Owais [http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0607/p07s01-wosc.html Music soothes extremism along troubled Afghan border]. ''Christian Science Monitor''. Retrieved on [[February 18]], [[2008]]</ref> State-owned [[Pakistan Television Corporation]] (PTV) and [[Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation]] were the dominant media outlets, but there are now numerous [[List of Pakistani TV and radio Channels|private television channels]]. Various American, European, and Asian television channels and films are available to the majority of the Pakistani population via private Television Networks, [[cable TV|cable]], and [[satellite television]]. There are also small indigenous film industries based in Lahore and Peshawar (often referred to as [[Lollywood]]). Although [[Bollywood]] films have been banned from being played in public cinemas since 1965,<ref name="bbcentertainment">{{cite web| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4639216.stm| title=Pakistan to show Bollywood film| publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2008-02-13}}</ref> Indian film stars are still generally popular in Pakistan due to the fact that Pakistanis are easily able to buy Bollywood films from local shops for private home viewing. But recently Pakistan allowed selected Bollywood films to be shown in Pakistani cinemas.
[[Image:Lahore Basant Festival.jpeg|thumb|left|Kites being sold before the basant festival]]
There are many festivals celebrated annually in Pakistan - which may or may not be observed as national public [[Holidays in Pakistan|holidays]] - e.g. Pakistan Day ([[23 March]]), Independence Day ([[14 August]]), Defence of Pakistan Day ([[6 September]]), Pakistan Air Force Day ([[7 September]]), the anniversaries of the birth ([[25 December]], a national holiday) and death ([[11 September]]) of [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah|Quaid-e-Azam]], birth of [[Allama Iqbal]] ([[9 November]]) and the birth ([[30 July]]) and death ([[8 July]]) of [[Fatima Jinnah|Madar-e-Millat]]. [[Labour Day]], (also known as [[May Day]]), is also observed in Pakistan on [[May 1]] and is a public holiday. Several important religious festivals are celebrated by Pakistani Muslims during the year; the celeberation days depend on the lunar [[Islamic calendar]]. [[Ramadan]], the ninth month of the calendar, is characterised by daytime fasting for 29 or 30 days and is followed by the festival of [[Eid ul-Fitr]]. In a second festival, [[Eid ul-Adha]], an animal is sacrificed in remembrance of the actions of Prophet [[Abraham]] (Arabic: Ibrahim) and the meat is shared with friends, family, and the less fortunate. Both Eid festivals are public holidays, serving as opportunities for people to visit family and friends, and for children to receive new clothes, presents, and sweets. Muslims also celebrate [[Milad al-Nabi|Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi]] - the birthday of the prophet [[Muhammad]] - in the third month of the calendar ([[Rabi' al-Awwal]]) and mark the [[Day of Ashurah]] on the 9th and 10th days of the first month ([[Muharram]]) to commemorate the martyrdom of [[Husayn bin Ali]]. Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Christians in Pakistan also celebrate their own festivals and holidays. [[Sikhs]] come from across the world to visit several holy sites in [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]], including the shrine of [[Guru Nanak]], the founder of [[Sikhism]], at Hasan Abdal in [[Attock District]], and his birthplace, at [[Nankana Sahib]]. There are also several regional and local festivals, such as the [[Punjab region|Punjabi]] festival of [[Basant]], which marks the start of spring and is celebrated by kite flying.
[[Image:Tooba mosque.jpg|left|thumb|An example of modern day Pakistani architecture in [[Karachi]].]]
The [[Pakistani architecture|architecture]] of the areas now constituting Pakistan can be designated to four distinct periods — [[History of Pakistan#Prehistory|pre-Islamic]], [[History of Pakistan#The Muslim period|Islamic]], [[History of Pakistan#Colonial era|colonial]] and [[History of Pakistan#Independence|post-colonial]]. With the beginning of the [[Indus civilization]] around the middle of the [[3rd millennium]]<ref>Dehejia, Vidja [http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/sasa/hd_sasa.htm South Asian Art and Culture]. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved on [[February 10]], [[2008]]</ref> B.C., an advanced [[urban culture]] developed for the first time in the region, with large structural facilities, some of which survive to this day.<ref>The Indus Valley And The Genesis Of South Asian Civilization [http://history-world.org/indus_valley.htm] Retrieved on [[February 6]], [[2008]]</ref>[[Mohenjo Daro]], [[Harappa]] and [[Kot Diji]] belong to the pre-Islamic era settlements. The rise of [[Buddhism]] and the [[Persian people|Persian]] and [[Greeks|Greek]] influence led to the development of the [[Greco-Buddhism|Greco-Buddhist]] style, starting from the 1st century CE. The high point of this era was reached with the culmination of the [[Gandhara]] style. An example of Buddhist architecture is the ruins of the Buddhist monastery [[Takht Bhai|Takht-i-Bahi]] in the [[North-West Frontier Province|northwest province]]. The arrival of [[Islam]] in today's Pakistan meant a sudden end of Buddhist architecture.<ref>[http://pakistaniat.com/2006/10/10/pakistan-architecture-history/comment-page-2/ Architecture in Pakistan: A Historical Overview]. <u>All Things Pakistan</u>. Retrieved on [[February 10]], [[2008]]</ref> However, a smooth transition to predominantly pictureless [[Islamic architecture]] occurred. The most important of the few completely discovered buildings of Persian style is the [[Rukn-e-Alam|tomb of the Shah Rukn-i-Alam]] in [[Multan]]. During the [[Mughal]] era design elements of Islamic-Persian architecture were fused with and often produced playful forms of the Hindustani art. [[Lahore]], occasional residence of Mughal rulers, exhibits a multiplicity of important buildings from the empire, among them the [[Badshahi mosque]], the [[Lahore Fort|fortress of Lahore]] with the famous [[Alamgiri Gate]], the colourful, still strongly Persian seeming [[Wazir Khan Mosque]] as well as numerous other mosques and mausoleums. Also the [[Shahjahan Mosque]] of [[Thatta]] in Sindh originates from the epoch of the Mughals. In the British colonial period, predominantly functional buildings of the Indo-European representative style developed from a mixture of European and Indian-Islamic components. Post-colonial national identity is expressed in modern structures like the [[Faisal Mosque]], the [[Minar-e-Pakistan]] and the [[Mazar-e-Quaid]].
[[Image:Iqbal.jpg|thumb|150px|Iqbal, the national poet of Pakistan]]
The [[literature of Pakistan]] covers the literatures of languages spread throughout the country, namely [[Urdu]], [[Sindhi]], [[Punjabi]], [[Pushto]], [[Balochi language|Baluchi]] as well as [[English language|English]]<ref>Shamsie, Muneeza [http://www.sepiamutiny.com/sepia/archives/001935.html Pakistani Writers in English: A Question of Identity]. <u>Sepia Mutiny</u>. Retrieved on [[February 9]], [[2008]]</ref> in recent times and in the past often [[Persian literature|Persian]] as well. Prior to the 19th century, the literature mainly consisted of [[lyric poetry]] and [[Sufism#Sufi poetry|religious]], [[mysticism|mystical]] and [[Pop culture#Folklore|popular]] materials. During the [[British Raj|colonial age]] the native literary figures, under the influence of the [[western literature]] of [[realism]], took up increasingly different topics and telling forms. Today, short stories enjoy a special popularity.<ref>Kamran, Gilani [http://www.the-south-asian.com/Nov2004/Pakistani_literature_short_story_1.htm Pakistani Literature- Evolution & trends]. <u>The South Asian</u>. Retrieved on [[February 9]], [[2008]]</ref>
The national poet of Pakistan, [[Muhammad Iqbal]], wrote mainly in the Persian language, and additionally in Urdu. His works are concerned mostly with [[Islamic philosophy]]. Iqbal's most well-known work is the Persian poem volume [[Asrar-i-Khudi]] ("the secrets of the even"). The most famous works of early [[Urdu literature]] originated in the 14th century.<ref>[http://www.culturopedia.com/Literature/urdu_literature.html Urdu Literature]. <u>Culturopedia</u>. Retrieved [[February 9]], [[2008]]</ref> The most well-known representative of the contemporary Urdu literature of Pakistan is [[Faiz Ahmed Faiz]]. [[Sufi]] [[Shah Abdul Latif]] is considered one of the most outstanding mystical poets.<ref>[http://www.storyofpakistan.com/person.asp?perid=P063 Shah Abdul Latif]. <u>Story of Pakistan</u>. Retrieved on [[February 9]], [[2008]]</ref> [[Mirza Kalich Beg]] has been termed the father of modern Sindhi prose.<ref> Rahman, Mahmudur [http://www.dawn.com/weekly/books/archive/011111/books5.htm Renowned scholar of Sindh]. <u>DAWN newspaper</u>. Retrieved on [[February 9]], [[2008]]</ref> In Punjabi, [[naat]]s and [[qawaali]]s are delivered. The Pushto literature tradition is a cultural link between Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan. Extensive lyric poetry and [[epic poem]]s have been published in Pushto. In Baluchi language [[song]]s and [[ballad]]s are popular.
==Sports==
{{main|Sport in Pakistan}}
[[Image:Pakvaus.jpg|thumb|Cricket is the most popular sport in Pakistan]]
The official and national [[sport]] of Pakistan is [[field hockey]], although [[cricket]] is more popular. The [[Pakistani cricket team|national cricket team]] has won the [[Cricket World Cup]] once (in [[1992 Cricket World Cup|1992]]), were runners-up once (in [[1999 Cricket World Cup|1999]]), and co-hosted the games twice (in [[1987 Cricket World Cup|1987]] and [[1996 Cricket World Cup|1996]]). Pakistan were runners-up in the inaugural [[2007 ICC World Twenty20]] held in South Africa. Pakistan was chosen to host the [[2008 ICC Champions Trophy]] cricket tournament and co-host the [[2011 Cricket World Cup]], with Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh. Other popular sports in Pakistan include [[football (soccer)|football]], and [[squash (sport)|squash]]. [[Squash (sport)|Squash]] is another sport that Pakistanis have excelled in, with successful world-class [[Squash (sport)|squash]] players such as [[Jahangir Khan]] and [[Jansher Khan]] winning the [[World Open]] several times during their careers.
At an international level, Pakistan has competed many times at the [[Summer Olympic Games|Summer Olympics]] in [[field hockey]], [[boxing]], [[athletics (track and field)|athletics]], [[swimming]], and [[shooting]]. Pakistan's medal tally remains at 10 medals (3 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze) while at the [[Commonwealth Games]] and [[Asian Games]] it stands at 61 medals and 182 medals respectively. [[Hockey]] is the sport in which Pakistan has been most successful at the Olympics, with three gold medals in ([[Hockey at the 1960 Summer Olympics|1960]], [[Hockey at the 1968 Summer Olympics|1968]], and [[Hockey at the 1984 Summer Olympics|1984]]). Pakistan has also won the [[Hockey World Cup]] a record four times (1971, 1978, 1982, 1994).<ref name="hockey">[http://www.bharatiyahockey.org/olympics/2004/pakistan.htm Bharatiya Hockey]</ref> Pakistan has also hosted several international competitions, including the [[South Asian Federation Games|SAF Games]] in 1989 and 2004.
The Motorsport Association of Pakistan is a member of the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]]. The Freedom Rally is a yearly off-road race which takes place during the Independence celebrations.
==Tourism==
{{main|Tourism in Pakistan}}
[[Image:Alamgiri Gate.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Lahore Fort]], was rebuilt by the [[Mughal]] emperor [[Akbar]] in 1566.]]
Tourism is a growing industry in Pakistan, based on its diverse cultures, peoples and landscapes.<ref name="Tourism in Pakistan">{{cite web| url=http://www.unigroup.com/PTIC/body_tourism.html| title=Tourism in Pakistan| date=2005-10-20| accessdate=2008-04-05}}</ref> The variety of attractions range from the ruins of ancient civilisations such as [[Mohenjo-daro]], [[Harappa]] and [[Taxila]], to the Himalayan hill stations, which attract those interested in field and winter sports. Pakistan is home to several [[Mountain ranges of Pakistan|mountain peaks]] over {{convert|7000|m|ft|-1}}, which attracts adventurers and mountaineers from around the world, especially [[K2]].<ref name="mountains">[http://www.tourism.gov.pk/mountain.html PTDC page on mountaineering]</ref> The people of northern areas depend on tourism also. From April to September tourist of domestic and international type visited these areas which became the earn of living for local people. The northern parts of Pakistan have many old fortresses, towers and other architecture as well as the [[Hunza Valley|Hunza]] and [[Chitral District|Chitral]] valleys, the latter being home to the [[Kalash]], a small pre-Islamic [[Animist]] community, who claim descent from the army of [[Alexander the Great]]. In the [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] is the site of Alexander's [[battle of the Hydaspes River|battle]] on the [[Jhelum River]] and the historic city [[Lahore]], Pakistan's cultural capital with many examples of [[Mughal]] architecture such as the [[Badshahi Masjid]], [[Shalimar Gardens (Lahore)|Shalimar Gardens]], [[Tomb of Jahangir]] and the [[Lahore Fort]]. To promote Pakistan's unique and various cultural heritage, the prime minister launched "Visit Pakistan 2007".<ref name="visitpakistanministry">{{cite web| url=http://www.tourism.gov.pk/visit_pakistan_year_2007.htm| title=Visit Pakistan Year 2007| publisher=Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref><ref name="visitpakistandawn">{{cite web| url=http://www.dawn.com/2006/12/10/nat32.htm| title=2007 to be ‘Visit Pakistan Year’| publisher=Dawn Group of Newspapers| date=2006-12-10| accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>
== See also ==
{{Pakistan topics}}
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==Further reading==
* Cohen, Stephen P. <u>The Idea of Pakistan</u>. The Brookings Institution. November 2004. ISBN 0-8157-1502-1.
* Banuazizi, Ali and Weiner, Myron. <u>The State, Religion, and Ethnic Politics: Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan</u>. Syracuse University Press. August 1988. ISBN 0-8156-2448-4.
* Halliday, Fred. <u>State and Ideology in the Middle East and Pakistan</u>. Monthly Review Pr. February 1998. ISBN 0-85345-734-4.
* Hammond Incorporated. <u>Hammond Greater Middle East Region: Including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, and Turkey</u>. American Map Corporation. August 2002. ISBN 0-8437-1827-7.
* Hilton, Isabel. <u>Letter from Pakistan: The Pashtun Code</u>. The New Yorker. [[December 03]], [[2001]]. [http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?011203fa_FACT1]
* Insight Guides, Halliday, Tony and Ikram, Tahir. <u>Insight Guide Pakistan<u>. Apa Productions. January 1998. ISBN 0-88729-736-6.
* Malik, Hafeez. <u>Pakistan: Founders' Aspirations and Today's Realities</u>. Oxford University Press, USA. May 2001. ISBN 0-19-579333-1.
* Malik, Iftikhar H. <u>Religious Minorities in Pakistan</u>. Minority Rights Group International. September 2002. ISBN 1-897693-69-9. [http://www.minorityrights.org/admin/Download/Pdf/MRGPakistanReport.pdf]
* Malik, Iftikhar H. <u>Culture and customs of Pakistan</u>. Greenwood Press. December 2005. ISBN 031333126X
* Najim, Adil. <u>Pakistan and Democracy</u>. The News International Pakistan. [[May 06]], [[2004]]. [http://fletcher.tufts.edu/news/2004/05/najam1.shtml]
* Rooney, John. <u>Shadows in the dark: A history of Christianity in Pakistan up to the 10th century</u>. Christian Study Centre. January 1984. {{OCLC|12177250}}.
*Rahman, Tariq.1996. ''Language and Politics in Pakistan'' Karachi: Oxford University Press. Reprinted several times, latest repr. 2006.
*Rahman, Tariq .2002. ''Language, Ideology and Power: Language-learning Among the Muslims of Pakistan and North India'' Karachi: OUP.
*Rahman, Tariq .2004. ''Denizens of Alien Worlds: A Study of Education, Inequality and Polarization in Pakistan'' Karachi: OUP, 2006 repr.
* Sharif, Shuja. <u>Musharraf's Administration And Pakistan's Economy</u>. ''Contemporary Review''. [[March 31]], [[2005]]. 129–134.
* Wolpert, Stanley. <u>Jinnah of Pakistan</u>. Oxford University Press, USA. May 1984. ISBN 0-19-503412-0.
* Zakaria, Rafiq. <u>The Man Who Divided India: An Insight into Jinnah's Leadership and its Aftermath</u>. Popular Prakashan. 2001. ISBN 81-7154-892-X
* [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001526317 Statehood in South Asia]
* [http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/si/2004/oct/khanOct04.asp Strategic Insights, Volume III, Issue 10 (October 2004)]
==External links==
{{portal|Pakistan|Flag of Pakistan.svg}}
{{sisterlinks|Pakistan}}
* [http://www.pakistan.gov.pk Government of Pakistan]
* [http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk The President of Pakistan]
* [http://www.infopak.gov.pk The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]
* {{wikiatlas|Pakistan}}
* {{wikitravel|Pakistan}}
* {{wikia|pakistan|Pakistan}}
* {{dmoz|Regional/Asia/Pakistan}}
{{Template group
|title = Geographic locale
|list =
{{Countries of Asia|state=collapsed}}
{{Countries of South Asia|state=collapsed}}
{{Countries and territories of the Middle East}}
{{Countries and territories bordering the Indian Ocean|state=collapsed}}
}}
{{Template group
|title = International Membership
|list =
{{Economic Cooperation Organization}}
{{Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)|state=collapsed}}
{{South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)|state=collapsed}}
{{Islamic republics|state=collapsed}}
{{Commonwealth of Nations|state=collapsed}}
{{World Trade Organization (WTO)|state=collapsed}}
{{D8 nations|state=collapsed}}
{{Iranian-speaking regions|state=collapsed}}
}}
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