|
My 
Pakistan at a Glance
| Official Name |
Islamic
Republic of Pakistan |
| Founder |
 Quaid-e-Azam
Muhammad Ali Jinnah |
| National Poet |
 Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal
|
| Head of the State |
 President
,General Pervaiz Musharraf : The modern leader of modern Pakistan and a strong regional force for the international fight against terrorism. Highly regarded by the West and equally liked at home. |
| Capital |
 Islamabad
(since 1960, 1947-60 was Karachi) |
| Largest City |
 Karachi,
population of 15 million(2001), 9th largest metropolis in the world. |
| Area |
96,095
Sq. km. |
|
Administrative Area
|
 Balochistan:
347,190,  Punjab: 205,344
 Sindh:
140,914,  NWFP: 74,521 &
FATA:27,220  Northern Areas:???
Azad Jammu Kashmir: ???
Islamabad(Capital): 906
Occupied Kashmir: ???
|
| Population |
140
million (2000) |
| Ethnic composition |
95%
Muslims, 5% others |
| Per capita income |
US$
460 (1998) |
| Currency |
Pak
Rupee (1 US$ = 46 Pak Rs, as of July 01,1998) |
| National Airline |
Pakistan International Airlines-PIA
Other airlines are: Aero Asia, Shaheen Air, Bhoja Air |
| Exports |
Cotton,
textile goods, rice, leather items carpets, sports goods, fruits,
handicrafts Sea Food (Fisheries) |
| Imports |
Industrial
equipment, vehicles, iron ore, petroleum, edible oil |
| Languages |
Urdu
(National language), English (Official)
Other languages are Punjabi, Pushtu, Sindhi,
Saraiki, Balochi, Barahwi, Hindko, Bulti and several other.
|
| Pakistan
National Flag |
|
| State Emblem |
|
| National Flower |
Jasmine |
| Flora |
Pine,
Oak, Poplar, Deodar, Maple, Mulberry |
| Fauna |
The
Pheasant, Leopard, Deer, Ibex, Chinkara, Black buk, Neelgai, Markhor, Marcopolo
sheep, Green turtles, River & Sea fish, Crocodile, Water Fowls |
| Popular games |
Cricket,
Hockey (national game), Football |
| Tourist's resorts |
Murree,
Quetta, Hunza, Ziarat, Swat, Kaghan, Chitral , Gilgit, Skurdu, Kailash,
Balakot, Mirpur, Kotli, Shangri La, Mohodund, Khanspur |
| Archaeological sites |
Moenjo
Daro, Harappa, Taxila, Kot Diji, Mehargarh |
| Major Cities |
Islamabad,
Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Multan, Sialkot, Gujranwala
and Faisalabad |
| Agriculture |
Major
crops are cotton, wheat, rice and sugarcane |
| Industry |
Textiles,
cement, fertilizer, steel, sugar, electric goods, shipbuilding |
| Communications |
All
the latest communication facilities are available in major cities. |
| Peaks |
K-2
(Mt. Godwin Austen): 28,250 ft./8611 m (2nd in World)
Nanga Parbat : 26,660 ft./8126 m (8th in World)
Gasherbrum-I: 26,470 ft./8068 m (11th in World) |
| Passes |
The
Khyber Pass, The Kurram Pass, The Tochi Pass
The Gomal Pass, The Bolan Pass, The Lowari
Pass
The Khunjrab Pass |
| Rivers |
Indus,
Sutlej, Chenab, Ravi and Jhelum |
| Glaciers |
Siachin,
Batur, Baltor |
| Lakes |
Manchar,
Keenjhar, Hanna, Saiful Malook, Satpara, Kachhura |
| Deserts |
Thar,
Cholistan, Thal |
| Nuclear Perspective |
After India exploded its five nuclear
devices on May 11 and 13, 1998 in Pokhran-Rajasthan, also counting solo
in 1974, India raced to 6-0 lead. It started threatening Pakistan by extreme
firing at line of control in Jammu & Kashmir, irresponsible statements
for conquering Azad Kashmir and demanding Pakistan for withdrawing its
support to Kashmir and the right of self determination of kashmiri people.
This is against the ideology of Pakistan as Kashmir is the unseparable
part of Pakistan and its 2/3rd land is still under Indian occupation
where Indian security forces are making atrocities and human right violations
since 1947. With
these provocations and India's nuclear explosions, the psychological and
military balance had changed. Therefore Pakistan went ahead with its program
in Chagai, Balochistan and made it 5-6 on May 28, 1998, then on May 30,
1998 Pakistan tested one more and made it 6-all. For Pakistan, it was absolutely
essential to restore this balance and in the supreme national interest,
invoking Pakistan's right to self-defence. People, politicians and leaders of different walks
of life have welcomed the nuclear tests carried out by Pakistan in response
to India's nuclear explosions and described it as a historic event in the
50 years history of the country. Thanksgiving prayers offered throughout
the country. With the detonation of the Nuclear test devices,
Pakistan has now entered a very critical part of its existence and evolution.
It is a matter of concern for the future for every Pakistani and not just
a few people at the top. |
|
1999-2002 Ehson M. Syed
