Background:

The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved. A third war between these countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan seceding and becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. A dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998.

Location:

Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the  east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north .

Introduction:

Pakistan is the land of the Indus River, which flows through the country for 2,880 km. from the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges to the Arabian sea. It is located between 23 and 37 degrees north latitude and 61 and 76 degrees east longitude. It is a land of snow covered peaks and  burning deserts, of fertile mountain valleys and irrigated plains. Created in 1947 as a homeland for the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent, it is inhabited by some 150 million people (2001) belonging to many ethnic groups speaking over 20 different languages and wearing distinctive costumes, but all united by the Islamic faith.

The Land of Pure (as the Urdu name Pakistan translates into English) is strategically placed at the crossroads of Asia, where the road from China to the Mediterranean meets the route from India to Central Asia. For thousands of years, this junction has been a melting pot of diverse cultures, attracting traders and adventurers, pilgrims and holy men.

For any Visitor, Pakistan has a wealth of attractions: its 4,000-year history is richly illustrated by archaeological sites and imposing monuments scattered the length and breadth of the country. Brick cities from the Indus Civilization, which flourished around 2000 BC, stand beside Buddhist ruins contemporaneous with the birth of Christianity. Magnificent Muslim tombs from the 12th century vie with palaces, mosques and forts of the Mughal emperors of the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Country's main cities reflect the many influences, both historical and modern, that have made Pakistan what it is today. Lahore is the cultural center of the country, with an elegant core of Mughal architecture embellished by the flowery exuberance of the British Raj. Islamabad, the capital, is a modern garden city. Finally bustling Karachi is a huge international port, sea port, industrial and financial center.

In the north of the country four great mountain ranges meet, offering some of the most challenging and scenic mountaineering, trekking and jeep safaris in the world. Five huge rivers flow south to the sea, forming the flight paths for migrating birds and providing exciting white water rafting and boating. To the spirit hungry for exploration and adventure, Pakistan beckons.

General Facts:

Official Name :  Islamic Republic of Pakistan 

Father of the Nation  : Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah 

Capital  : Islamabad 

Area : 796,096 Sq. km. 

Population : 150 million 

Ethnic composition : 97% Muslims, 5% others 

Per capita income : US$ 460 

Currency :  Rupee 

Exports  :  Cotton, textile goods, rice, leather items, carpets, sports goods, fruits, handicrafts  Sea Food (Fisheries) 

Imports :  Industrial equipment, vehicles, iron ore,  petroleum, edible oil 

National Languages : Urdu  ; English (Official)

Provincial Languages : Sindhi, Punjabi, Balochi, Pashto and Urdu.

Literacy rate : 39% 

National Flower :  Jasmine 

Popular Games : Cricket, Hockey, Football 

Tourist's Resorts : Murree, Quetta, Hunza, Ziarat, Swat, Kaghan, Chitral and Gilgit 

Archaeological Sites : Moenjo Daro, Harappa, Taxila, Kot Diji, Mehr Garh 

Major Cities : Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Multan,  Sialkot and Faisalabad 

Agriculture Major crops :  cotton, wheat, rice and sugarcane

Total cropped area :  22.14 million hectares 

Industry : Textiles, cement, fertiliser, steel, sugar, electric goods, shipbuilding 

Energy Major sources : Oil, Coal, Hydel, Thermal, Nuclear and Liquid Petroleum Gas

Transport & Communication Total length of roads : 228,206 km

Pakistan Railway network : 8,775 km ; Railway stations: 781

Pakistan International Airlines: Covers 55 international and 38 domestic stations

Major Airports: 6 - Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar and Gwadar 

Seaports International : 2 - Karachi ; Bin Qasim and Gwadar.

Famous Mountain Peaks : K-2 (Mt. Godwin Austin) : 28,250 ft./861m 2nd in World)

Nanga Parbat  : 26,660 ft./8125 m (8th in World)

Gasherbrum-I  : 26,470 ft./8068 m (11th in World) 

Famous Mountain Passes : The Khyber Pass ; The Kurram Pass ; The Tochi Pass ; The Gomal Pass ; The Bolan Pass ; The Lowari Pass ;The Khunjrab Pass ;

Rivers : The Indus 2880 km ; Jhelum 825 km ; Chenab 1242 km

Ravi 901 km ; Sutlej 1551 km ; Beas (tributary of Sutlej) 398 km ;

Famous Glaciers : Siachin 75 km ; Batura 55 km ; Baltoro 62 km ;

Deserts : Thar: Sindh ; Cholistan: Punjab ; Thal: Punjab 

Major Dams : Tarbela Dam- North West Frontier Province ; Mangla Dam- Punjab Warsak Dam- North West Frontier Province

Government Parliamentary Form :

Parliament It consists of two Houses i.e., the Senate (Upper House) and the National Assembly (Lower House). The Senate is a permanent legislative body and symbolises a process of continuity in the national affairs. It consists of 87 members. The four Provincial Assemblies, Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Federal Capital form its electoral college. The National Assembly has a total membership of 217 elected through adult suffrage (Muslim 207 and Minorities 10).

National Anthem :

Approved in June, 1954 Verses Composed by: Abul Asar Hafeez Jullundhri Tune Composed by: Ahmed G. Chagla.

About Islam:

What is Islam ?  The literal meaning of Islam is peace; surrender of one's will i.e. losing oneself for the sake of God and surrenderingone's own pleasure for the pleasure of God. The message of Islam was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) 1, 400 years ago. It was revealed through angel Gabriel (on whom be peace) and was thus preserved in the Holy Quran. The Holy Quran carries a Divine guarantee of safeguard from interpolation and it claims that it combines the best features of the earlier scriptures.

The prime message of Islam is the Unity of God, that the Creator of the world is One and He alone is worthy of worship and that Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) is His Messenger and Servant. The follower of this belief is thus a Muslim - a Muslim's other beliefs are: God's angels, previously revealed Books of God, all the prophets, from Adam to Jesus (peace be on them both), the Day of Judgement and indeed the Decree of God. A Muslim has five main duties to perform, namely; bearing witness to the Unity of God and Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) as His Messenger, observing the prescribed prayer, payment of Zakat, keeping the fasts of Ramadhan and performing the pilgrimage to Mecca. Islam believes that each person is born pure. The Holy Quran tells us that God has give human beings a choice between good and evil and to seek God's pleasure through faith, prayer and charity. Islam believes that God created mankind in His image and by imbuing the attributes of God on a human level mankind can attain His nearness. Islam's main message is to worship God and to treat all God's creation with kindness and compassion. Rights of parents in old age, orphans and the needy are clearly stated. Women's rights were safeguarded 1,400 years ago when the rest of the world was in total darkness about emancipation. Islamic teachings encompass every imaginable situation and its rules and principles are truly universal and have stood the test of time. In Islam virtue does not connote forsaking the bounties of nature that are lawful. On the contrary one is encouraged to lead a healthy, active life with the qualities of kindness, chastity, honesty, mercy, courage patience and politeness. In short, Islam has a perfect and complete code for the guidance of individuals and communities alike. As the entire message of Islam is derived from the Holy Quran and indeed the Sunnah and Hadith (the traditions and practices of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings on him) it is immutable in the face of change in time and place. It may appear rigid to the casual eye, in actual fact it is most certainly an adaptable way of life regardless of human changes. Islam teaches that the path to spiritual development is open to all. Any individual who searches the One Creator can seek nearness to God through sincere and earnest worship; it is central to establishing a relationship with the Almighty. This positive message for humanity fills hearts with hope and courage.

At present there are 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide and they form the majority in more than 50 countries of the world. Today Islam is the fastest growing faith in the world - its beautiful message is reaching millions in the far corner of the earth, why..........................?