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Pakistan
Pakistan Flag
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Quaid-i-Azam
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Independence Day
14 August 1947
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Approved in June, 1954
Verses Composed by
Hafeez Jullundhri
Tune Composed by
Ahmed G. Chagla
Duration
80 seconds
Play National Anthem
(instrumental) |
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Introduction
Pakistan is an Islamic Republic (Official
name:
Islamic Republic of Pakistan)
and its capital is Islamabad. Pakistan has four provinces:
Baluchistan, North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Punjab and
Sindh. Their respective capitals are: Quetta, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi . In addition to these provinces is the Federally
Administered Northern Area (FANA), which is divided into the
districts of Diamer, Ghanche, Ghizer, Gilgit and Skardu. There
are also seven Federally Administered Tribal Areas. (FATA).
Government
Pakistan has a federal structure. Parliament
consists of the Lower House (National Assembly) and the Upper
House (Senate). Members of the National Assembly are directly
elected and their term of office is five years. The National
Assembly determines the major policy issues and passes an
annual budget and legislation. It elects the Prime Minister
from among its members.
The Prime Minister forms the cabinet from among
members of the Assembly and the Senate. Provinces have their
own elected legislative assemblies and Chief Ministers. The
Provincial Assemblies elect the majority of the members of
the Upper House.
Facts and Figures
The national language is Urdu, while the official language is English. Some of the main regional languages include Sindhi, Baluchi, Punjabi and Pushto.
Pakistan has a Population of over 130 million. At present, the growth rate is 2.8 percent per annum. The major cities are Karachi (10 million),Lahore (5.5 million), Faisalabad (2 million), Rawalpindi (928,000), Islamabad (340,286). Other cities include Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Multan and Sialkot. Major religions are Muslim (97%), Hindu (1.5%), Christian (1%) and several other minorities.
Area
Total Area: 796,095 Sq. Km
- Punjab Province: 205,344 Sq. Km
- Sindh Province: 140,914 Sq. Km
- North West Frontier Province (NWFP): 74,521 Sq. Km
- Balochistan Province: 347,190 Sq. Km
- Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA): 27,220 Sq. Km
- Islamabad (Capital): 906 Sq. Km
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Map of Pakistan
(Area: 796,095 Sq. Km)
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Total:
6,774 km
Afghanistan: 2,430 km
China: 523 km
India: 2,912 km
Iran: 909 km
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Total length of Roads
228,206 km. (approx.)
Pakistan Railway Network
8,775 km. (approx.)
Railway Stations
781
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Education
Literacy rate is about
55.1% (2004).
Some facts about educational institutes are:
- Primary schools: 150,963
- Middle schools: 14,595
- High schools:
9,808
- Arts & science colleges:
798
- Professional colleges: 161
- Universities:
35 (10 in Private sector)
Health
Some basic facts about health facilities are:
- Hospitals: 830
- Beds: 86,921
- Doctors(registered): 74,229
- Dentists(registered):
2,938
- Nurses(registered): 22,810
National Flower is Jasmine,
other trees include Pine, Oak, Poplar, Deodar,
Maple, Mulberry. Some popular animal species are The Pheasant, Leopard,
Deer, Ibex, Chinkara, Black buk, Neelgai, Markhor, Marcopolo sheep, Green
turtles, River & Sea
fish, Crocodile, Water Fowls.
Attractions
Pakistan has large number of beautiful places and attractions to visit.
Popular tourist destinations during holiday seasons are
like Murree, Quetta, Swat Valley, Hunza, Ziarat, Kaghan, Chitral and Gilgit. |
Pakistan also
has a long history of different cultures and traditions. Some
of the popular and well-known archaeological sites are
Mohenjo Daro, Harappa, Taxila, Kot Diji and Mehr Garh.
Economy Central Bank is State Bank of Pakistan. Other
Banks include National Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank Ltd,. Muslim
Commercial Bank Ltd., Allied Bank of Pakistan Ltd., First Woman
Bank, Mehran Bank and the Bank of Punjab. Agricultural Development
Bank of Pakistan, Federal Bank for Co-operatives, Industrial
Development Bank of Pakistan, The Punjab Provincial Co-operative
Bank, Banker's Equity and National Development Finance Corporation.
As an agricultural Pakistan produces different varieties
of crops. Some of the major crops are
cotton, wheat, rice and sugarcane.
Total cropped area constitute around 22.14 million hectares of the total area.
The average per capita income is $460 (approx). Major
exports include raw cotton
and cotton products, rice, fish and fish products, carpets
and rugs, leather and leather goods, sports and surgical
goods. Major
imports include tea, petroleum and its products,
edible oils, chemical fertilizers, milk and milk foods,
agricultural machinery, transport equipment, medicines,
iron and steel. Major trading partners
are the USA, Japan, Germany, UK, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia
and China.
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Mt. Godwin Austin (K-2)
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Siachin: 75 km.
Batura: 55 km.
Baltoro: 62 km.
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Thar: Sindh province
Cholistan: Punjab province
Thal: Punjab province
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Natural Resources
Northern areas of Pakistan are blessed with some of the tallest
peaks and mountains in the world in the Great Himalyians. The
most popular and renowned peak is K-2 as known
also Mt. Godwin Austin. Its height is about 28,250 ft. or
8611 meters which makes its 2nd highest
peak in the World after Mount Everest. Other mountains include
well-known Nanga Parbat of about 26,660 ft./8126 meters (8th
in World) and Gasherbrum about 26,470 ft./8068 meters (11th
in World).
Some of the famous mountain passes are The Khyber Pass, The
Kurram Pass, The Tochi Pass, The Gomal Pass, The Bolan
Pass, The Lowari Pass, The Khunjrab Pass.
Pakistan has 5 major
rivers, these are
- The Indus: 2896 km.
- Jhelum: 825 km.
- Chenab: 1242 km.
- Ravi: 901 km.
- Sutlej: 1551 km.
Some of the famous lakes are
Manchar, Keenjar, Saif-ul-Maluk, Hanna.
Major dams include Tarbela Dam (largest mud built dam is the
world), Mangla Dam, Warsak Dam.
Media
Following media statistics can be observed for the coverage of the information and events across the country.
- Print Media
- Dailies: 424
- Weeklies: 718
- Fortnightlies: 107
- Monthlies: 553
- News Agencies
- APP (official)
- PPI & NNI (Pvt)
- Electronic Media
- Pakistan Television: Five TV centres at Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi, covering 87% of the population.
- Registered TV sets: 2,823,800.
- Viewership: 115 million.
- Radio stations: Total 23, Home services in 20 languages.External services cover 70 countries in 15 languages.
- Private TV/Radio: Radio stations: 3, TV transmitter channels: 4, Private News Agencies: 2
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* All figures are approximate |
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