View source for Pakistan

{{#seo:
|title=Pakistan – Islamic Republic of Pakistan
|description=Pakistan is a diverse South Asian nation with a rich history from ancient civilizations to modern geopolitics. Learn about its geography, demography, economy, and political significance.
|keywords=Pakistan, South Asia, Islamabad, Karachi, Pakistani history, economy of Pakistan, CPEC
|image=Pakistan.png
}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Islamic Republic of Pakistan
| common_name = Pakistan
| image_flag = Pakistan.png
| alt_flag = Green field with a white crescent moon and a five-pointed star at center, and a vertical white stripe at the hoist
| national_motto = "ایمان، اتحاد، قربانی" (Faith, Unity, Discipline)
| national_anthem = [[Qaumi Taranah]]
| official_languages = Urdu, English
| capital = [[Islamabad]]
| largest_city = [[Karachi]]
| government_type = Federal parliamentary constitutional republic
| president = [[Asif Ali Zardari]] (as of 2024)
| prime_minister = [[Shehbaz Sharif]] (as of 2024)
| legislature = [[Parliament of Pakistan]]
| area_km2 = 881,913
| population_estimate = 241,492,000
| population_year = 2023
| gdp_nominal = $341 billion (2023)
| currency = Pakistani Rupee (₨)
| time_zone = PKT (UTC+05:00)
| drives_on = left
| calling_code = +92
| internet_tld = .pk
}}

'''Pakistan''' Officially known as the "Islamic Republic of Pakistan," "Pakistan" is a federal parliamentary republic located in [South Asia]]. It was established after the [[Partition of India]] on August 14–15, 1947, and consists of four provinces and a number of territories. Its largest city, [[Karachi]], is a significant financial centre, and its capital is [[Islamabad]]. With more than 240 million people, it is the fifth most populous country in the world and is home to the second-largest population with a majority of Muslims.<ref> https://www.britannica.com/place/</ref>

Pakistan's terrain is diverse, ranging from the arid [[Balochistan]] plateau and fertile Indus River plains to the [[Arabian Sea]] coast, to the majestic [[Himalayan]] and [[Karakoram]] ranges in the north, which include [[K2]], the second-highest peak in the world.<ref>https://www.fao.org/pakistan/news/detail-events/en/c/1471662/</ref>

In addition to having a maritime border with Oman, Pakistan shares land borders with [[India]] (east), [[Afghanistan]] (west), [[Iran]] (southwest), and [[China]] (northeast). The total area of the nation is roughly 796,096 km².<ref>https://www.britannica.com/place/</ref>

There is linguistic and ethnic diversity among its people. Punjabis, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Balochis, Saraikis, and Muhajirs are among the major ethnic groups. Regional languages like Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki, and Balochi are widely spoken, but [[Urdu]] and [[English]] are the official languages.<ref>https://www.worlddata.info/asia/pakistan/languages.php</ref>

About 96% of Pakistan's population is Sunni Muslim, with [[Christians]], [[Hindus]], and [[Shia Muslims]] making up the minority.<ref>https://www.state.gov/reports/2017-report-on-international-religious-freedom/pakistan/</ref>

== History ==
Ancient civilisations such as the [[Mehrgarh]] and the [[Indus Valley Civilisation]] were located in the area that is now Pakistan. Later, it joined empires like the [[Maurya]], [[Kushan]], [[Gupta Empire]], [[Delhi Sultanate]], [[Mughal Empire]], and finally the [[British Raj]].<ref>https://www.britannica.com/place/Pakistan</ref>

West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now [[Bangladesh]]) were the two wings of Pakistan when it gained independence on August 14, 1947. Bangladesh was created in 1971 as a result of East Pakistan's secession.<ref>https://www.britannica.com/event/Indo-Pakistani-War-of-1971</ref>

Pakistan has alternated between military and civilian governance since 1956, when it was proclaimed an Islamic republic.

== Government & Politics ==
A president serves as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government of Pakistan, which is a federal parliamentary republic. In addition to federal territories like the Islamabad Capital Territory, it is made up of four provinces: [[Punjab]], [[Sindh]], [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]], and [[Balochistan]].<ref>https://www.pakistan.gov.pk/</ref>

Historically, the nation's economy and governance have been significantly influenced by the military.<ref>https://www.ft.com/content/f3dae073-c158-43e2-a8c6-628acc46a868</ref>

== Economy ==
With a nominal GDP ranking of 44th and a PPP ranking of 26th, Pakistan has a mixed economy. Manufacturing, remittances, services, textiles, and agriculture are important industries.<ref>https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/pakistan/overview</ref>

Important infrastructure initiatives like the [[China–Pakistan Economic Corridor]] (CPEC)] are designed to increase economic growth and connectivity. Nonetheless, issues like excessive inflation, external debt, and reliance on IMF bailouts continue to exist.<ref>https://www.wsj.com/articles/pakistan-imf-loan-middle-class-poverty-inflation-ef640b84</ref>

== Society & Demographics ==
The 2023 census estimates that there are roughly 241.5 million people living in Pakistan. About 39% of people live in cities, and 61% of people live in rural areas.<ref>https://www.worldpopulationreview.com/countries/pakistan-population</ref>

Despite issues with poverty, education, and health, the nation's median age of about 22 years gives it a youthful demographic advantage.<ref>https://datacommons.org/place/country/PAK</ref>

== Culture ==
Pakistan's regional languages, music, literature, festivals, and cuisine all showcase the country's rich cultural heritage. Its artistic expression is heavily influenced by folk traditions such as [[Qawwali]] and [[Ghazal]]. The official and educational language is English, but the national language is [[Urdu]].<ref>https://www.britannica.com/place/Pakistan/Cultural-life</ref>

== Opportunities & Difficulties ==
Pakistan still has to deal with problems like terrorism, political unrest, energy scarcity, and a weak economy. However, the nation's youthful population, expanding IT industry, and advantageous location for trade and energy transit also offer opportunities.<ref>https://time.com/6279063/pakistans-economic-investment-potential/</ref>

== See Also ==

[[Partition of India]]

[[Islamabad]]

[[Kashmir Conflict]]

== References ==
<references/>