Facts about Pakistan:

Government:

Geography:

  • Total Area: 803,940 square km

  • Neighbors: Afganistan, India, Iran, and China

  • There are four provinces in Pakistan each with its own capital city: Sindh, Karachi; Punjab, Lahori; Northwest Fornier Province, Peshawar; Baluchistan, Quetta

  • Mountain ranges include the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Pamir

  • There are primarily three seasons the cool season (October-February), hot season (March-June) and wet season (July-September)

Economy:

  • GDP: $248.5 Billion

  • Unemployment (1995): 10%

  • Currency: 1 Pakastani Rupee = 100 Paisa

  • Cash earning industries: textiles, ready made garments, leather, fish, carpets, sports goods, surgical instruments

  • Canal system cultivates 1/4 of land. Major cash crops: cotton, rice, wheat and sugar cane.

Languages:

  • Official: Urdu is spoken by 7% of the population and is the official language of Pakistan. Other languages spoken include Punjabi (64% spoken in Pakistan), Sindhi (12%), Pashtu (8%), Others (9%). English is used in Pakistan as a language of the organizations and ministries

Population:

  • 1995 estimates: 131 million people

Education:

  • 35% literacy rate. 47% male, 21% female.

Religion:

  • Pakistan is primarily an Islamic country. It was the first state to be governed by Islam principles from the Sharia.

An Overview of History

Pakistan first emerged as an independent nation on August 14, 1947 after the downfall of the British Empire in the Indian subcontinent.

The country was first founded in 711 A.C.E. when Mohammad bin Qasim subdued Sindh (a Pakistani region) because of sea pirating. From early on Pakistan was established as a Muslim strong hold. It was an autonomous state linked with the state of Umayyed. It was not until later that the caliphate Abbassid conquered all of the land that was to be known as the present day Pakistan, Arabic was also introduced as the main language at this point in time.

At the time of Mahmud of Ghazna's invasion, Muslim rule was weaked. The Ghaznavids (976-1148) and the Ghaurids (1148-1206) both came to rule Pakistan from central Asia. In the 13th century, Islam foundations were finally permanenty laid, these foundations stretched to as far awayh as Delhi in India.

Muslim rule still existed, though in a weakened form, in Multan and some other regions. The Ghaznavids (976-1148) Mahmud of Ghazna's invasand their successors, the Ghaurids (1148-1206), were Central Asian by origin and they ruled their territories, which covered mostly the regions of present Pakistan, from capitals outside India. It was in the early thirteenth century that the foundations of the Muslim rule in India were laid with extended boundaries and Delhi as the capital. From 1206 to 1526 A.D., five different dynasties held sway. Then followed the period of Mughal ascendancy (1526-1707) and their rule continued, though nominally, till 1857. 

1947-Muhammad Ali Jinnah becomes governor-general of the new nation after the partition of Pakistan from India.

Position on Kashmir

Pakistan has never accepted India's claim to Kashmir, nor has it accepted the Instrument of Accession. Pakistan claims that because of the largely Muslim population of Kashmir.

Pakistan is willling to hold peace talks about Kashmir but only if it gets to control the Vale of Kashmir. India does not and will not accept this condition.

Could have Pakistan's position originally started over the dividing of the new Pakistani nation into the two parts? Could Pakistan have wanted a definite gate way between the two parts?

Why was Pakistan formed?

Because of Ethnic-Nationalism and the fact that Muslims seemed to be under-represented in India, many Muslims felt that once India gained its independence that their people would not be represented and be discriminated against. The Muslim League was formed, which called for an independent Muslim state. Despite some pitfalls along the way, the Muslims did eventually get their own state in the North western and North eastern parts of India, but it was seperated by India.