Pakistan

Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241 million, and has the second-largest Muslim population. The capital is Islamabad, and Karachi is its largest city.

The land of Pakistan has a rich history. It was home to ancient cultures like the Indus Valley Civilisation. Pakistan became independent in 1947 after the partition of British India. Since then, it has grown into a middle power with a strong military and a growing economy. Pakistan is part of many international groups, including the United Nations.

Etymology

The name Pakistan was created by an activist named Choudhry Rahmat Ali in 1933. He made it as an acronym from letters in the names of several lands: Panjab, Afghania, Kashmir, Sindh, and Baluchistan.

Rahmat Ali said the word means "the land of the pure" in both Persian and Urdu. It uses the word for "pure" plus the ending “-stan,” which means “land” or “place of.”

History

Main article: History of Pakistan

See also: Timeline of Pakistani history

Prehistory and antiquity

Some of the earliest ancient human civilisations in South Asia began in areas that are now Pakistan. The oldest stone tools in the region, from about 2 million years ago, were found in the Soan Valley in northern Pakistan. The Indus region, which covers most of Pakistan today, was home to many ancient cultures. These included the Neolithic site of Mehrgarh, and the 5,000-year-old Indus Valley Civilisation with cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa.

After the Indus Valley Civilisation ended, semi-nomadic Indo-European Aryans moved into the Indian subcontinent around 2000 BCE. They mixed with the local culture, and their traditions became part of the Vedic tradition. This helped create the Gandhara civilization, which was important for connecting trade routes between India, Central Asia, and the Middle East. During this time, many tribes lived in the Indus region, and some began to form early kingdoms. The Vedas, ancient scriptures of Hinduism, were written here.

Classical period

The western part of Pakistan became part of the Achaemenid Empire around 517 BCE. In 326 BCE, Alexander the Great conquered the area by defeating local rulers, including Porus, at Jhelum. Later, the region was ruled by the Mauryas, including Ashoka the Great. The Indo-Greek Kingdom also ruled here and helped grow the Greco-Buddhist culture. Taxila was one of the world’s earliest centres for learning, established in the 6th century BCE. The Rai dynasty ruled Sindh and nearby areas from 489 to 632 CE.

Medieval period

The Arab leader Muhammad ibn Qasim took control of Sindh and parts of Punjab in 711 CE. This is when Pakistan’s official history says its foundations began. From 642 to 1219 CE, Islam spread across the region. Before Islam, people in Pakistan practiced Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Zoroastrianism. Sufi missionaries helped most people in the area adopt Islam. After the Turk and Hindu Shahi dynasties were defeated, several Muslim empires ruled the region. These included the Ghaznavid Empire, the Ghorid Kingdom, and the Delhi Sultanate. The Lodi dynasty was the last of these, and was later replaced by the Mughal Empire in 1526 CE.

The Mughals brought Persian culture and built beautiful Mughal buildings in cities like Multan, Lahore, Peshawar and Thatta. In the early 1700s, the Mughal Empire began to weaken because of new powers like the Maratha Empire and the Sikh Empire, and invasions from Nader Shah of Iran and the Durrani Empire of Afghanistan. By this time, British power was growing in nearby Bengal, but had not yet reached Pakistan.

Colonial rule

Main articles: British India, British Raj, Aligarh Movement, and Two-nation theory

Modern Pakistan was not under British rule until 1839 when Karachi, a small fishing village, was taken over. It became a port and military base for the First Afghan War. More areas of Sindh were taken in 1843. Over time, through wars and treaties, the East India Company and later the British Empire controlled the whole area. Key battles included those against the Baloch Talpur dynasty, such as the Battle of Miani in 1843, the Anglo-Sikh Wars, and the Anglo–Afghan Wars. By 1893, all of modern Pakistan was part of British India and stayed that way until 1947.

Under British rule, Pakistan today was divided into Sind Division, Punjab Province, and the Baluchistan Agency, along with some princely states like Bahawalpur.

Tension grew between Hindus and Muslims in British India, partly because of religious differences and a language controversy. A Muslim intellectual movement led by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan promoted the two-nation theory, which led to the creation of the All-India Muslim League in 1906.

In 1929, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the future leader of Pakistan, set out his fourteen points to protect Muslim interests in India. These were not accepted. In 1940, Allama Iqbal suggested uniting Muslim-majority areas in northwest India. By 1942, Britain was struggling in World War II. The Muslim League decided to support Britain’s war effort, which helped them push for a separate Muslim nation.

Independence

Further information: Indian independence movement and Partition of India

In 1946, the Muslim League won most Muslim seats in elections. This showed the British that many Muslims wanted a separate nation. The British tried to avoid splitting India with the Cabinet Mission Plan, but it failed. In June 1947, the British announced they would leave India by June 1948. After talks, Britain agreed to split India into two nations: Pakistan and India. This happened on 14 August 1947, when Pakistan was created from the Muslim-majority parts of British India.

Post-independence

Main articles: History of Pakistan (1947–present) and Dominion of Pakistan

After independence in 1947, Muhammad Ali Jinnah became Pakistan’s first Governor-General. He died in 1948 and was replaced by Liaquat Ali Khan, who became the first Prime Minister. From 1947 to 1956, Pakistan was a monarchy within the British Commonwealth before becoming a republic.

Jinnah’s speech to Pakistan’s first parliament emphasised freedom of religion for all citizens.

In the late 1940s, efforts began to create an Islamic constitution for Pakistan. This led to the Objectives Resolution in 1949, which stated that God’s will guides the country.

Democracy faced challenges when President Iskander Mirza imposed martial law and was followed by General Ayub Khan. In 1962, Pakistan became a presidential system. The country grew until a second war with India in 1965 caused economic problems. In 1970, Pakistan held its first democratic elections since independence. However, the results led to conflict and a war of liberation in East Pakistan, which became independent as Bangladesh in 1971.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto became president and worked toward its constitution. Pakistan also began developing its nuclear deterrence capability. In 1977, a military coup brought General Zia-ul-Haq to power. His time in office saw economic growth but also increased military tension with India.

President Zia died in 1988. Benazir Bhutto, the first female prime minister, was elected later that year. Over the next years, different parties took power. In 1998, Nawaz Sharif ordered nuclear testings after India did the same.

In 1999, General Pervez Musharraf took control in a bloodless coup d'état. He ruled until 2008. After Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in 2007, new elections were held and Yusuf Raza Gilani became Prime Minister. Later leaders included Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, and Shehbaz Sharif.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of Pakistan, Environment of Pakistan, Climate of Pakistan, Extreme weather records in Pakistan, List of tropical cyclones in Pakistan, and List of beaches in Pakistan

Pakistan has many different landscapes, from tall mountains to wide plains and long coastlines. It covers 881,913 km² and touches Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran. The country is famous for its beautiful northern mountains, including the Karakoram range, where K2, one of the world's highest peaks, is found.

The weather changes from tropical in the south to cooler in the north. Pakistan has four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and autumn. The Indus River and its branches help water the fertile plains. Deserts and forests are also part of the land. Pakistan is home to many plants and animals, though some face danger from losing their homes and hunting.

Government and politics

Main articles: Government of Pakistan, Politics of Pakistan, and Elections in Pakistan

Pakistan is a democratic parliamentary federal republic, with Islam as the state religion. The military has sometimes taken control of the government.

Today, Pakistan has a multi-party system with a parliament. The country’s politics mix ideas like socialism, conservatism, and the third way. The main political parties are the Pakistan Muslim League (N), the Pakistani People's Party, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Role of Islam

Pakistan was created as a home for Muslims, and Islam is important there. The government’s laws try to follow Islamic teachings from the Quran and Sunnah. Special groups help make sure laws match these teachings.

Administrative units

Main article: Administrative units of Pakistan

Pakistan has four provinces: Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan. There are also three areas: Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. These areas have their own local governments.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Pakistan

Pakistan works to have good relationships with other countries. It has strong ties with China and supports other Muslim nations. Pakistan also has long-standing issues, like the Kashmir conflict with India.

Military

Pakistan has a large armed forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The military has been in conflicts, especially with India. Pakistan also helps with international peacekeeping and has joined many United Nations missions.

Law enforcement

Main article: Law enforcement in Pakistan

See also: Pakistani Intelligence Community

Pakistan has police forces in each province to keep people safe. There are also special units that handle serious crimes.

Human rights

Main articles: Human rights in Pakistan and LGBT rights in Pakistan

Pakistan has challenges with human rights. There are issues like corruption and limits on free speech. The government has made some laws to protect people, but many issues still need attention.

Economy

Main articles: Economy of Pakistan and Economic history of Pakistan

Further information: Real estate in Pakistan, Information technology in Pakistan, and Banking in Pakistan

See also: Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund

Pakistan’s economy is one of the larger economies in the world. It is a developing country that could grow into a very big economy. The country relies a lot on farming, which helps many jobs.

In 2025, Pakistan’s economy was worth about US$410.5 billion. Many people live below the poverty line. The country has many workers and gets money from people working in other countries. Pakistan’s economy has strong parts such as farming, making things, and services, with tourism also helping.

Infrastructure

See also: Water supply and sanitation in Pakistan

Pakistan is known for building strong roads and buildings in South Asia.

Power and energy

Main articles: Nuclear power in Pakistan, Energy in Pakistan, and Electricity sector in Pakistan

Pakistan uses special plants to make electricity. It also gets power from oil, natural gas, and water. The country is working to use more sun and wind power in the future.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Pakistan

Pakistan has many roads, including fast highways that link big cities and ports. Trains are used less now, but new train systems are planned for cities like Lahore and Karachi. The country has many airports, with Karachi and Lahore being the busiest.

Science and technology

Main articles: Science and technology in Pakistan and List of Pakistani inventions and discoveries

Pakistan has done great work in science. A scientist from Pakistan, Abdus Salam, won a Nobel Prize for physics. The country has its own space program and sent its first satellite into space in 1990. Today, Pakistan works in many science and technology fields, like space and computers.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Pakistan

Further information: Overseas Pakistani

Pakistan has a diverse population. Many people have moved to cities, especially in the south where Karachi, along the Indus River, is a big city. Other important cities include Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad.

The country has many different groups of people and languages. Urdu and English are the official languages, but many other languages are spoken. The largest groups include Punjabis, Pashtuns, Sindhis, and Saraikis. People from nearby countries, such as India and Afghanistan, have also settled in Pakistan, especially in cities like Karachi.

Main article: Urbanisation in Pakistan

Main articles: Languages of Pakistan and Ethnic groups of Pakistan

See also: Pakistanis

Main article: Immigration to Pakistan

Main article: Overseas Pakistani

Main article: Religion in Pakistan

Main article: Islam in Pakistan

Main article: Hinduism in Pakistan

Main article: Christianity in Pakistan

Main article: Education in Pakistan

See also: Higher Education Commission (Pakistan) and Rankings of universities in Pakistan

Culture

Main articles: Culture of Pakistan, British heritage of Pakistan, and Public holidays in Pakistan

Civil society in Pakistan values traditional customs and Islamic practices. Families often live together, though smaller family groups are becoming more common. People usually wear the Shalwar Kameez, with men also wearing trousers, jeans, and shirts. Important festivals include Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Azha, Ramadan, Christmas, Easter, Holi, and Diwali.

Pakistani architecture has four main styles: pre-Islamic, Islamic, colonial, and post-colonial. Ancient cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa show early urban life. Islamic architecture includes famous buildings such as the Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort. Modern structures like the Faisal Mosque reflect Pakistan’s contemporary identity.

The Shalwar Kameez is the national dress, worn everywhere in Pakistan. People also enjoy a variety of fabrics and styles. Fashion events like PFDC Fashion Week showcase both traditional and modern designs.

Pakistan has a rich literary tradition in many languages, including Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi, Pashto, and English. Famous poets and writers have shaped its literary identity. The National Library helps share these works with people.

Pakistan has many media outlets, including television and newspapers. The film industry, known as Lollywood, produces popular movies. Urdu dramas are widely watched, and music ranges from traditional styles to modern mixes.

Pakistani food comes from Mughal royal kitchens and includes spices like garlic, ginger, and chili. Common dishes are Roti, curry, and rice. Lassi and black tea are popular drinks, and Sohan halwa is a favorite sweet.

Main article: Sport in Pakistan

Cricket is the most popular sport, with Pakistan winning major tournaments. Field hockey is the national sport, and the country has achieved great success in it. Other sports like football, squash, and polo are also enjoyed.