Pakistan

(pakistan.gov.pk/wikipedia.org)
Updated: 2009-06-11 17:35

Pakistan or the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a country in South Asia. Its capital is Islamabad.

Parkistan emerged as an independent sovereign state on 14th August 1947, as a result of the division of former British India. Pakistan covers 796,095 sq km with a population of 132.35 million according to population census 1998.

According to the official estimate, the population of Pakistan is now standing at 166,919,500, making it the world's sixth most populous country, behind Brazil and ahead of Russia. By the year 2020, the country's population is expected to reach 208 million, owing to a relatively high growth rate.

It is divided into four provinces: Sindh, Punjab, North West Frontier Province and Balochistan.

Climatically, Pakistan enjoys a considerable measure of variety. North and north western high mountainous ranges are extremely cold in winter while the summer months of April to September are very pleasant.

Pakistan is a multilingual country with more than 60 languages being spoken. English is the official language of Pakistan and used in official business, government, and legal contacts, while Urdu is the national language.

The main natural resources are natural gas, coal, salt and iron. The country has an expanding industry. Cotton, Textiles, sugar, cement, and chemicals play an important role in its economy.

The country comprises of a vast area that was the great center of ancient civilizations of the world.

Its historical sites beginning with stone-age to Twentieth Century AD are a mirror of the life of its people who were, by nature, simple, virile, hospitable and hard working. Ancient sites excavated in Taxila, Harappa, and Moenjodaro speak volumes for Pakistan’s rich cultural background dating back to 3,000 BC.

It has a coastline along the Arabian sea, and is bordered by Afghanistan in the northwest, by Iran in the southwest, by China in the north and by India in the east.

Pakistan is a federation of 4 provinces (Punjab, Sindh, North-West Frontier Province and Belochistan) and a capital territory and federally administered tribal areas.

Pakistan is a semi-presidential federal democratic republic with Islam as the state religion. It has a bicameral legislature comprising a 100-member Senate and a 342-member National Assembly. The President is the Head of State (currently Asif Ali Zardari) and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and is elected by an electoral college.

The 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.

The structure of the Pakistani economy has changed from mainly agricultural-oriented to service-based.

According to government figures, agriculture now only accounts for roughly 20 percent of the GDP, while the service sector accounts for 53 percent of the GDP. Significant foreign investments have been made in several areas including telecommunications, real estate and energy. Other important industries include textiles (accounts almost 60 percent of total GDP), food processing, chemicals manufacture, and the iron and steel industries.