SOME OTHER FACTS ABOUT PAKISTAN

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم

SOME OTHER FACTS ABOUT PAKISTAN

National Identities:

Official Name: Islamic Republic of Pakistan, conventional short form Pakistan.

Emergence: 14 August 1947.

National Days: Independence Day: 14 August, 1947;

Pakistan Day: 23 March, 1956 (Proclamation of the republic). Father of the Nation: Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

National Poet: Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

Pakistan National Flag: The National Flag of Pakistan was adopted in its present form during a meeting of the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947, just three days before the country's independence, when it became the official flag of the Dominion of Pakistan. It was afterwards retained by the current-day Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The flag is a green field with a white crescent moon and five-rayed star at its center, and a vertical white stripe at the hoist side. Though the green color is mandated only as 'dark green', its official and most consistent representation is Pakistan green, which is shaded distinctively darker. The flag was designed by Amiruddin Kidwai, and is based on the All-India Muslim League flag.

National Anthem: Approved in June, 1954, Verses Composed by: Abul Asar Hafeez Jallundri. Tune Composed by Ahmed G. Chagla, Duration: 80 seconds.

Timeline

1949 - Musical composition by Ahmad G. Chagla (running time, 1 minute 20 seconds)
1952 - Verses written by Hafeez Jalandhri, selected from 723 entries
1954 - Released on Radio Pakistan on 13 August. Singers of the anthem were: Ahmad Rushdi, Shamim Bano, Kokab Jehan, Rasheeda Begum, Najam Ara, Naseema Shaheen, Zwar Hussain, Akhtar Abbas, Ghulam Dastgir, Anwar Zaheer and Akhtar Wassi. Ali Rathore, Saif Ali Khan.

State Emblem: The state Emblem, consists of:

The crescent and star which is the symbol of Islam.
The shield in the center shows four major crops.
Wreath surrounding the shield represents cultural heritage.
Scroll contains Quaid's motto: Unity, Faith, Discipline.

Capital: Islamabad the Federal capital of Pakistan from 1959 (Karachi remained Capital from 1947 to 1959). Islamabad is a city which welcomes modern ideas but at the same time recognizes and cherishes its traditional values and its past history. The city nestles against the Margalla Hills, the foothills of the Himalayas in northern Punjab. Technically it is not part of the Punjab, but forms its own Capital Territory (ICT). Modern, spacious and carefully planned, Islamabad is a city of wide, tree lined streets, elegant houses, public buildings and well organized shopping Mall the Blue area and bazaars namely Super Market. Jinnagh Super, and Aabpara.

Time: GMT +5 (+1)

Data Code: PK

Languages: Urdu (National language), English (Official); Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%. Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, Englsih (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%.

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

National Flower: Jasmine.

Flora: Pine, Oak, Poplar, Deodar (National Tree), Maple, Mulberry.

Popular Games: Hockey (National Game). Cricket, Football, Squash. Tennis- Boxing

Climiate: The hottest months are May and June, Summer (Apr- Sept) 34.2 C; Winter (Oct - Mar) 3.4 C.

State & Government:

Head of the State: Arif Alvi. (President) (2023)

Head of the Government: Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif (Prime Minister) (2023).

Type of the Government: Federal Republic: Parliamentary form of Government. Parliament consists of two Houses i.e., the Senate (Upper Houses and National Assembly (Lower House). The Senate is a permanent legislative body and symbolizes a process of continuity in the national affairs. It consists of 100 members. The four Provincial Assemblies, Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) Federally- Administered Gilgit Baltistan and Federal Capital form its electoral college. The National Assembly has a total membership of 342 elected through adult suffrage.

Legal System: Based on English common law with Provisions to accommodate Pakistan's status as an Islamic state, accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservation Suffrage: 21 years of age, universal separate electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for non-Muslims and tribal areas.

Administrative Divisions: 4 Provinces; 27 Divisions Districts; 330 Tehsils & Sub-divisions: 47,586 (approx.) Villages Federal Area (Islamabad) as a separate administrative unit also administering FATA (Tribal Area of Khyber Pakhtoon Khawah) and GILGIT BALTISTAN (Gilgit Baltistan Adjacent to Khyber Pakhtoon Khawah and Azad Kashmir), Self-governed State of Azad Jammu & Kashmir attached with Pakistan (divided into 8 districts).

Geography & Population:

Geography & Settlement: Pakistan displays some of Asia's most magnificent landscapes as it stretches from the Arabian Sea as its southern border to some of the world's most spectacular mountain ranges in the north Pakistan is also home to sites that date back to world's earliest settlements. Indus, Gandhara, Taxila, Harappa and Mohenjodaro, rivalling those of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Location: 23.3° to 36.45° N (Latitude) to 61° to 75.5°E (Longitude). Located in South Asia. Pakistan shares an eastern border of 1600 km with India known as Sir Syrill Radclifee Award and a north- eastern border of 592 km with China. Iran makes up the country's south-west border of 800 km. and Afghanistan runs to a length of 2240 km along its western and northern edge, known as Durand Line. The Arabian Sea is Pakistan's southern boundary with 1100 km of coastline. The country has a total area of 796,096 sq. km. From Gwadar Bay in it's south-eastern corner, the country extends more than 1,800 km to the Khunjerab Pass on China's border.

Area: Total: 796,096 Sq km; 58.79% North & West mountainous land and plateau, 41.21 % plains, Punjab 205,344 km, Sindh: 140,914 km; Khyber Pakhtoon Khawah (Khyber Pakhtoon Khawah) 74,521km, Balochistan 347,190 km; Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA); 27,220 km: Islamabad (Capital), 906 km.

Maritimes Claims: Territorial Sea: 12 nm, Contiguous Zone 24nm, Exclusive Economic Zone 200 nm, Continental Shelf; 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin.

Famous Mountain Peaks: K-2 (Mt. Godwin Austin) 28,250 ft/ 8611 m (2nd highest in 'World); Nanga Parbat: 26,660 ft/ 8126 m; Gasherbrum-1; 26,470 ft/ 8068 m.

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 2896 km, Jhelum 825 km, Chenab 1242 km, Ravi 701 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).

Lakes: Manchar (Sindh), Keenjar (Sindh), Hanna (Balochistan), Saif-ul-Maluk (KPK), Satpara (Gilgit Baltistan), Kachura (Gilgit Baltistan).

Major Dams: Mangla Dam (Azad Kashmir), Tarbela Dam (KPK), Warsak Dam (KPK)

Population: 175 Million Estimated, (est.) with an average density of 164 persons per sq. km: Urban Population: 32.5% (Every 3rd person lives in a city or Town. International Ranking: 6th most populated in the world; 2nd among Muslim countries.

Major Cities with Population: Karachi (9,778,466), Lahore (5,325,030). Faisalabad (2,079,371), Rawalpindi (1,478,845). Multan (1.243,514), Hyderabad (1214,518), Gujranwala (1,182,842), Peshawar (1,038,983), Quetta (587,754), Islamabad (579.914).

Based on March 1998 census with annual growth rate as follows: Sindh: 2.71%, Punjab: 2.55%, Khyber Pakhtoon Khawah: 2.75%. Balochistan: 2.42%, Islamabad: 5.15% (Highest).

Household Size: Persons per Housing Unit: Pakistan Average: 6.6 persons; Balochistan: 6.4 persons: Khyber Pakhtoon Khawah: 7.6 personss: Punjab 6.8 persons (including Islamabad): Sindh: 5.8 persons.

Province-wise Portion of Population: Punjab 55.6%; Khyber Pakhtoon Khawah 13.4%: Sindh 23%: Federal Capital 0.6%; FATA 2.4; Balochistan 5%.

Population Growth Rate: Average 2.2% (1998 est.): present population growth rate is 1.9%, Birth rate; 34.38 births/1,000 population (1998 est); Death rate: 10.69 deaths / 1,000 population (1998 est); Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/ female; under 15 years 1.06 males)/female; 15-64 years; 1.05 male(s)/female; 65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female (1998 est); Infant mortality rate: 93.48 deaths/ 1,000 live births (1998 est); Total fertility rate: 4.91 children born/ woman (1998 est); Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.07 years male: 58.23 years; female: 59.96 years (1998 est.).

Ethnic Composition: 95% Muslims (Sunni & Shias as majority); 5% others (including Christians, Hindus, and other minorities).

Currency & Financial Institutions:

Currency: Pakistani Rupee (Pak Rs.);

Per Capita Income: 1372 Dollar

Banks: Central Bank: State Bank of Pakistan; Scheduled Banks (46); Foreign Banks (21); Scheduled Banks Branches (8058); Foreign Bank Branches (85); Pakistani Banks Branches abroad (121). Specialized Bank: Industrial Development Bank of Pakistan. The Punjab Provincial Co-operative Bank, Banker's Equity. ZTBL

Media, Tourism, Transport & Communication:

Media:

Print Media: Dailies: 424 Weeklies: 718, Fortnightlies: 107, Monthlies: 553.
News Agencies: APP (official), PPI & NNI (Pvt). On line international.
Electronic Media: Pakistan Television (PTV): Five TV centers at Islamabad, Lahore Peshawar, Quetta, Muzaffarabad and Karachi covering 93% of population, Registered TV sets: 2,823,800, Viewership: 115 million; Radio stations: Total 28, Home services in 25 languages. External services cover 70 countries in 16 languages.
GEO-ARY- Indus-Uni Plus- Apna - KTV - Punjab T.V. - Khyber. Express-Dawn- Royal- Waqt TV- Dunya TV- AAJ News-City 42.Samaa News-

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

Archaeological Sites: Mohenjo Daro, Harappa, Taxila, Kot Diji, Mehr Garh.

Airports: 118 with paved runways: 82; unpaved runways: 36.

Seaports: International: 3 - Karachi and Bin Qasim. Gwadar

Domestic: 3 - Omara,, Pasni & Jewani

Transport & Communication: Total Length of roads: 255,856 km., Motorway (M2, Lahore- Islamabad) 335km (M I, Islamabad-Karachi to Torkham joining Ratodero, D.G. Khan, Multan, Faisalabad that will join another highway passing through Ratodero, Khuzdar and terminating at Gawardaw); Pakistan Railway network 8,775 km, Railway Stations: 781, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA): Covers 55 international and 38 domestic stations. Major Airports: 6 - Islamabad. Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar and Gawadar.

Communications: Post Offices: 13,419, Telephone connections: 2.47 million, Telegraph offices: 427. Telecommunication: Telephones: 3.222 million (2003), Telephone system domestic: microwave radio relay international satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, fM 8 shortwave 11): microwave radio relay to neighbouring countries. Ships by Type: Bulk 5, cargo 15, container 3, oil tanker 10.

Mineral Resources, Energy & Pipelines:

Important Mineral Resources: Non Metallic: Asbestos, Barite, Calcite, Clay, Dolomite, Feldspar, Fluorite, Glass Sand, Granite, Graphite, Gypsum, Marble, Phosphate Rock, Potash, Rock Salt, Silica Sand and Sulphur.

Metallic: Antimony, Arsenic, Bauxite, Chromate, Copper, Iron, Gold, Lead, Magnetite, Manganese, Tungsten, Zinc and Silver.

Pipelines: Crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 885 km; natural gas 4,044 km.

Transnational Issues: Disputes - international status of Kashmir with India; water-sharing problems with India over the Indus River (Wular barrage).

WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN PAKISTAN:

Pakistan has inherited a wide array of heritage sites, six of which have been inscribed on the list of "World Heritage Sites", while a new tentative list has been prepared and submitted to the World Heritage Centre for approval. A brief description of sites already inscribed in the World Heritage List is given below:

MCQS Ghar

SOME OTHER FACTS ABOUT PAKISTAN

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم