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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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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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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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