View source for Pakistan

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Islamic Republic of Pakistan
| common_name            = Pakistan
| native_name            = {{ubl|{{native name|ur|{{Nastaliq|اِسلامی جمہوریہ پاكِستان}}|italics=off}}|{{transl|ur|ALA-LC|''Islāmī Jumhūriyah Pākistān''}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Minahan |first=James |title=The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems [2 volumes] |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2009 |page=141 |isbn=978-0-313-34497-8}}</ref>}}
| image_flag             = Flag of Pakistan.svg
| image_coat             = State emblem of Pakistan.svg
| symbol_type            = State emblem
| national_motto         = {{transl|ur|''[[Faith, Unity, Discipline|Īmān, Ittihād, Nazam]]''}}<br />{{native name|ur|{{Nastaliq|ایمان، اتحاد، نظم}}|italics=off|nolink=on}}<br />"Faith, Unity, Discipline"{{lower|0.2em|<ref>{{cite web |title=The State Emblem |url=http://www.infopak.gov.pk/Eemblem.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701023430/http://www.infopak.gov.pk/Eemblem.aspx |archive-date=1 July 2007 |publisher=Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, [[Government of Pakistan]]. |access-date=18 December 2013}}</ref><!--end lower:-->}}
| national_anthem        = {{transl|ur|ALA-LC|''[[Qaumi Taranah|Qaumī Tarānah]]''}}<br />{{lang|ur|{{Nastaliq|قَومی ترانہ}}}}<br />{{center|"The National Anthem"<br />[[File:Pakistan anthem - United States Navy Band.ogg]]}}
| image_map              = PAK orthographic.svg
| map_width              = 220px
| map_caption            = Land controlled by Pakistan shown in dark green; land claimed but not controlled shown in light green
| capital                = [[Islamabad]]
| coordinates            = {{coord|33|41|30|N|73|03|00|E|type:city_region:PK}}
| largest_city           = [[Karachi]]<br />{{coord|24|51|36|N|67|00|36|E|type:city_region:PK}}
| official_languages     = {{vunblist|[[Urdu language|Urdu]]|[[English language|English]]}}
| regional_languages     = [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] • [[Pashto]] • [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] • [[Saraiki language|Saraiki]] • [[Balochi language|Balochi]] • [[Hindko]] •  [[Pahari-Pothwari|Pothwari]] • [[Brahui language|Brahui]] • [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]]
| languages              = [[Balti language|Balti]] • [[Burushaski]] • [[Dameli language|Dameli]] • [[Domaaki language|Domaaki]] • [[Gawar-Bati language|Gawar-Bati]] • [[Kalasha-mun|Kalasha]] • [[Khowar language|Khowar]] • [[Indus Kohistani]] • [[Kutchi language|Kutchi]] • [[Memoni language|Memoni]] • [[Shina language|Shina]] • [[Wakhi language|Wakhi]] • [[Yidgha language|Yidgha]] • [[Khowar language|Khowar]] • [[Hazaragi]]
| ethnic_groups          = {{ublist |item_style=white-space:nowrap;
| 38.78% [[Punjabis]]
| 18.24% [[Pashtuns]]
| 14.57% [[Sindhis]]
| 12.19% [[Saraiki people|Saraikis]]
| 7.8% [[Muhajir (Pakistan)|Muhajirs]]
| 3.02% [[Baloch people|Balochs]]
| 2.44% [[Hindkowans]]
| 1.24% [[Brahui people|Brahuis]]
| 0.17% [[Kashmiri people|Kashmiris]]
| 0.08% [[Hazaras]]<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Adnan|first=Atif|last2=Rakha|first2=Allah|last3=Nazir|first3=Shahid|last4=Alghafri|first4=Rashed|last5=Hassan|first5=Qudsia|last6=Wang|first6=Chuan-Chao|last7=Lu|first7=Jie|date=2021-09-01|title=Forensic features and genetic legacy of the Baloch population of Pakistan and the Hazara population across Durand line revealed by Y-chromosomal STRs|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-021-02591-2|journal=International Journal of Legal Medicine|language=en|volume=135|issue=5|pages=1777–1784|doi=10.1007/s00414-021-02591-2|issn=1437-1596}}</ref>
| 2.26% [[Ethnic groups in Pakistan|Others]]
}}
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2017<ref name=2017Census>{{cite web|title=SALIENT FEATURES OF FINAL RESULTS CENSUS-2017|url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files//population_census/sailent_feature_%20census_2017.pdf|access-date=20 May 2021|archive-date=29 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829194924/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files//population_census/sailent_feature_%20census_2017.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| religion_year          = 2017<ref name=2017Census/><ref>{{cite web|title=A New Era of Sectarian Violence in Pakistan|url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/327/asia/south-asia/pakistan/new-era-sectarian-violence-pakistan|website=International Crisis Group|date=5 September 2022 |access-date=27 Nov 2023}}</ref>
| religion               = {{ublist|item_style=white-space;|{{Tree list}}
* 95.67% [[Islam in Pakistan|Islam]] ([[State religion|Official]])
** 70% [[Sunni Islam]]
** 25% [[Shia Islam]]
** 1.47% [[Islam in Pakistan|Other Islam]]
{{Tree list/end}}|{{Tree list}}
* 2.14% [[Hinduism in Pakistan|Hinduism]]
** 80.84% [[Hinduism in Pakistan|Hindu Jati]]
** 19.15% [[Hinduism in Pakistan|Scheduled castes]]
{{Tree list/end}}|<!-- 1.73% Hindu (Jati) 0.41% Hindu (scheduled castes) according to the 2017 Census of Pakistan -->|1.27% [[Christianity in Pakistan|Christianity]]|0.9% [[Ahmadiyya in Pakistan|Ahmadiya]]|0.02% [[Religion in Pakistan|Others]]}}
| demonym                = Pakistani
| government_type        = [[Federalism|Federal]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[constitutional republic]]
| leader_title1          = [[President of Pakistan|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Asif Ali Zardari]]
| leader_title2          = [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2           = [[Shehbaz Sharif]]
| leader_title3          = [[Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan|Chairman of the Senate]]
| leader_name3           = [[Sadiq Sanjrani]]
| leader_title4          = [[Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan|Speaker of the National Assembly]]
| leader_name4           = [[Ayaz Sadiq]]
| leader_title5          = [[Chief Justice of Pakistan|Chief Justice]]
| leader_name5           = [[Qazi Faez Isa]]
| legislature            = [[Parliament of Pakistan|Parliament]]
| upper_house            = [[Senate of Pakistan|Senate]]
| lower_house            = [[National Assembly of Pakistan|National Assembly]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[Pakistan Movement|Independence]]
| sovereignty_note       = from the [[United Kingdom]]
| established_event1     = [[Dominion of Pakistan|Dominion]]
| established_date1      = 14 August 1947
| established_event2     = [[Islamic Republic]]
| established_date2      = 23 March 1956
| established_event3     = [[East Pakistan|Last polity]] [[Bangladesh Liberation War|withdrawn]]
| established_date3      = 12 January 1972
| established_event4     = [[Constitution of Pakistan|Current constitution]]
| established_date4      = 14 August 1973
| established_event5     = 
| established_date5      = 
| established_event6     = 
| established_date6      = 
| area_km2               = 1,030,000
| area_footnote          = {{efn|"Includes data for Pakistani territories of Kashmir; [[Azad Kashmir]] ({{convert|13297|km2|sqmi|disp=or|abbr=on}}) and [[Gilgit–Baltistan]] ({{convert|72520|km2|sqmi|disp=or|abbr=on}}).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geohive.com/cntry/pakistan.aspx |title=Pakistan statistics |publisher=Geohive |access-date=20 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406012611/http://www.geohive.com/cntry/pakistan.aspx |archive-date=6 April 2013}}</ref> Excluding these territories would produce an area figure of {{convert|796,095|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}."}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldatlas.com/as/pk/where-is-pakistan.html |title=Where is Pakistan?|website=worldatlas.com|date=24 February 2021}}</ref>
| area_rank              = 29th
| area_sq_mi             = 307,374
| percent_water          = 2.86
| population_density_km2 = 244.4
| population_density_sq_mi = 633
| population_density_rank = 56th
| population_estimate    = {{increaseNeutral}} 270,800,000<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/PAK/pakistan/population-growth-rate|title = Pakistan Population Growth Rate 1950-2023}}</ref>
| population_census      = {{increaseNeutral}} 270.8 million
| population_estimate_year = 2023
| population_estimate_rank = 5th
| population_census_year = 2023
| population_census_rank = 
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} {{nowrap|$2.0 trillion<ref name="imf2">{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2020 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2020/October/weo-report?c=564,&s=NGDP_RPCH,NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,PPPEX,PCPI,&sy=2018&ey=2025&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |website=IMF.org |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |access-date=17 December 2020}}</ref>}}
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2023
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 19th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $21,000<ref name="imf2" />
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 87th
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} {{nowrap|$491.7 billion<ref name="imf2" />}}
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2023
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 31st
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $10,987<ref name="imf2" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 98th
| Gini_year              = 2018
| Gini_change            = decrease<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini                   = 31.6 <!--number only-->
| Gini_ref               = <ref name="wb-gini">{{cite web |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI/ |title=Gini Index |publisher=World Bank |access-date=12 August 2021}}</ref>
| HDI                    = 0.697 <!--number only-->
| HDI_year               = 2023<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change             = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI_ref                = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr_2020_overview_english.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2020|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|date=2 December 2020|access-date=18 December 2020}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 152nd
| currency               = [[Pakistani rupee]] (₨)
| currency_code          = PKR
| time_zone              = [[Pakistan Standard Time|PKT]]
| utc_offset             = +05:00
| utc_offset_DST         = 
| DST_note               = ''[[Daylight saving time|DST]] is not observed''
| time_zone_DST          = 
| date_format            = {{ubl
| {{nowrap|{{abbr|dd|day}}-{{abbr|mm|month}}-{{abbr|yyyy|year}}}}{{efn|See [[Date and time notation in Pakistan]].}}
}}
| electricity            = [[Mains electricity by country|230 V–50 Hz]]
| drives_on              = left<ref>{{cite news |last=Loureiro |first=Miguel |title=Driving—the good, the bad and the ugly |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_28-7-2005_pg3_5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110085150/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_28-7-2005_pg3_5 |archive-date=10 January 2012 |work=Daily Times |location=Pakistan |date=28 July 2005 |access-date=6 February 2014}}</ref>
| calling_code           = [[Telephone numbers in Pakistan|+92]]
| cctld                  = [[.pk]]
| official_website       = {{URL|http://www.pakistan.gov.pk/}}
}}
'''Pakistan''', officially the '''Islamic Republic of Pakistan''' ([[Urdu]]: ''Islāmī Jumhūriyah Pākistān''), is a country in [[South Asia]]. It shares its border with [[Republic of India|India]], [[Iran]], [[Afghanistan]] and [[China]]. Pakistan has the [[List of countries by population|fifth largest population]] (243.4 million) in the world and has a total land area of {{convert|880940|km2|abbr=on}}.or in simple words 881,000 km² This makes Pakistan the 34th largest country in the world by [[land]] area. It has a 1,365&nbsp;km long coastline along the [[Arabian Sea]] in the south.<ref>{{Citation|last=Snead|first=Rodman E.|title=Pakistan|date=2010|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8639-7_198|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of the World's Coastal Landforms|pages=1059–1064|editor-last=Bird|editor-first=Eric C. F.|place=Dordrecht|publisher=Springer Netherlands|language=en|doi=10.1007/978-1-4020-8639-7_198|isbn=978-1-4020-8639-7|access-date=2023-11-24}}</ref> The [[capital city|capital]] of Pakistan is [[Islamabad]], but before 1960, it was [[Karachi]], which is now the country's largest city. While they were building Islamabad, [[Rawalpindi]] served as the temporary capital from 1959 to 1967.

Pakistan has a rich [[history]] with ancient [[Culture|cultures]], such as the 8,500-year-old [[Neolithic]] site of [[Mehrgarh]], the [[Bronze Age]] [[Indus Valley civilization]], and the ancient [[Gandhara|Gandhara civilization]]. Over the years, various [[Empire|empires]] and [[Dynasty|dynasties]], including the [[Achaemenid Empire|Achaemenid]], [[Maurya Empire|Maurya]], [[Kushan Empire|Kushan]], [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]], [[Macedonian dynasty|Macedonians]], [[Mongol Empire|Mongols]], [[Tubo|Tibetans]], [[Umayyad Caliphate]], [[Samma dynasty|Samma]], Hindu Shahis, Shah Miris, [[Ghaznavids]], [[Delhi Sultanate]], [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]], and the [[British Raj]], have influenced the region. Pakistan is also associated with the origins of major world religions like [[Hinduism]] and [[Sikhism]], as well as the [[Mahayana]] and [[Vajrayana]] branches of [[Buddhism]], rooted in the [[Gandhara|Gandhara region]].

Pakistan is a middle power nation with the world's sixth-largest standing [[Military|armed]] forces. It is a [[Nuclear weapons states|nuclear-weapons state]] and is considered among the emerging and growth-leading economies, boasting a large and rapidly growing [[middle class]]. Pakistan's [[Politics|political]] [[history]] has seen periods of substantial [[Economics|economic]] and [[military]] growth, along with times of [[Politics|political]] and [[Economics|economic]] instability. The country is [[Ethnic groups in Pakistan|ethnically]] and [[Linguistics|linguistically]] diverse, with varied [[geography]] and [[wildlife]]. However, Pakistan also faces challenges like [[poverty]], [[Literacy|illiteracy]], [[corruption]], and [[terrorism]].

== Name ==
{{Main|Names of Pakistan}}
The name '''Pakistan''' ''(<small>English pronunciation:</small> {{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Pakistan.ogg|ˈ|p|æ|k|ᵻ|s|t|æ|n}} or {{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Pakistan-2.ogg|p|ɑː|k|i|ˈ|s|t|ɑː|n}}; {{lang-ur|پاکستان}} &nbsp;{{IPA|[paːkɪˈst̪aːn]}}) means '''<nowiki/>'Land of (the) Spiritually Pure'<nowiki/>''''' in both [[Urdu]] and [[Persian language|Persian]] languages. It was named on 28 January 1933 as ''{{sic|Pak|stan|hide=y}}'' by [[Choudhary Rahmat Ali]], a [[Pakistan Movement]] activist, in a [[pamphlet]] ''[[Pakistan Declaration|Now or Never]]''.<ref name="nowornever">{{cite web|author=Choudhary Rahmat Ali|date=28 January 1933|title=Now or never: Are we to live or perish for ever?|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00islamlinks/txt_rahmatali_1933.html|publisher=Columbia University|accessdate=4 December 2007}}</ref>Rahmat Ali explained said that it was named after "all our homelands [[Punjab (Pakistan)|'''P'''unjab]], [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|'''A'''fghania]], [[Kashmir|'''K'''ashmir]], [[Sindh|'''S'''ind]], and [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Baluchis'''tan''']]".<ref>Krishna K. Tummala, ''Public Administration in India'' (Allied Publishers, 1996), [https://books.google.com/books?id=HSQZj1_FrosC&pg=PA42 p. 42], citing Choudhry Rahmat Ali, ''Pakistan'' (Cambridge University Press, 1946), p. 225</ref> The letter ''i'' was added to make it sound better.<ref name="davison">{{cite journal |author=Roderic H. Davidson|title=Where is the Middle East?|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_foreign-affairs_1960-07_38_4/page/665|journal=Foreign Affairs|volume=38|pages=665–675|year=1960|doi=10.2307/20029452|issue=4|jstor=20029452|issn=0015-7120}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Pakistan}}
[[File:Mohenjo-daro Priesterkönig.jpeg|thumb|130px|"Priest King" of [[Indus Valley Civilization]]|left]]
Pakistan became [[Partition of India|Independent]] in 1947 from the [[United Kingdom]] which was known as the [[British India|British Raj]]. The first humans in Pakistan were the [[Soanian]] [[hunter-gatherer]]s, who lived 50,000 years ago.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Paracha|first=Nadeem F.|date=2017-02-02|title=Pakistan: The lesser-known histories of an ancient land|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1312059|access-date=2023-11-27|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref> Three of the world's oldest [[Civilization|civilisations]] are in Pakistan, these include [[Mehrgarh|Mehrgarh civilisation]], the [[Indus Valley civilization|Indus Valley civilisation]] and the [[Gandhara|Gandhara civilisation]]. The first urban centre in South Asia was the [[Mehrgarh]], a 11,000-year-old site in Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mir|first=Leena Shah|date=2019-01-28|title=Mehrgarh: Pakistan's Oldest Civilization|url=https://voiceofbalochistan.pk/blogs/mehrgarh-pakistans-oldest-civilization/|access-date=2023-11-27|website=Voice of Balochistan|language=en-US}}</ref> The first organised people in Ancient Pakistan were the ones who made the [[Indus Valley Civilization]], they lived 9000 years ago.<ref>{{cite web|date=1996|title=Introduction to the Ancient Indus Valley|url=http://www.harappa.com/indus/indus1.html|url-status=dead|publisher=Harappa|accessdate=18 June 2007|archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/64LGyivx4?url=http://www.harappa.com/indus/indus1.html|archivedate=31 December 2011}}</ref>  After that, the [[Vedic period]] came.

After the Muslim conquest, Pakistan began to be [[Islam]]ized and it slowly turned into a Muslim majority region. The [[British Empire]] had effectively conquered the entire territories of modern-day Pakistan by the year 1849 and after the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]], the region was officially absorbed into the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British Crown]] and came under direct [[British India|British rule]]. Pakistan gained independence from British rule in 1947 however the Monarch of the [[United Kingdom]] ([[King George VI]] and [[Queen Elizabeth II]]) remained the monarch of Pakistan up until it officially became a republic in 1956. Until 1971, Pakistan also included an area in the [[North-east India]] region. This is now called [[Bangladesh]]. It lost that area after a war with the Indian Army and the joint militant group of Indo-Bangladeshi alliance of [[Mitro Bahini]] of [[West Bengal]]. During recent times Pakistan has been in the centre of world politics. This is first because of its support to guerrillas in [[Afghanistan]], following a Soviet [[invasion]] 1979, and later during the 1990s because of its cooperation with and support for the [[Taliban]] [[regime]] in [[Afghanistan]]. However, since 2000 Pakistan has supported the West in their war against fundamentalist [[terrorism]], including the removal of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Despite not being part of the organization itself, Pakistan has developed close ties with and closely cooperated with the [[NATO]] organization assisting it in many of its military campaigns such as those in [[Bosnia]] and [[Somalia]].

Pakistan is a member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]. However, after the war in East Pakistan the country was excluded (between 1972 and 1989). It was also a member between 1999 and 2007, it was excluded in 2007 for a time but again became a member in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Commonwealth lifts ban on Pakistan|url=http://thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/179063/120508cmag.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120014337/http://thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/179063/120508cmag.htm|archive-date=2012-01-20|access-date=2016-03-27}}</ref>

== Geography and climate ==
{{main|Geography of Pakistan}}
[[File:K2 8611.jpg|thumb|[[K2]] at {{convert|8611|m|abbr=on}} is the second highest peak in the world|left]]There are many earthquakes in the area. The [[2005 Pakistan earthquake|earthquake in 2005]] with its [[epicenter|earthquake center]] in [[Kashmir]] is the strongest recorded so far. Over 100,000 people were killed or wounded on 8 October 2005.

Pakistan covers {{convert|880940|km2|abbr=on}},<ref name="area_from_factbook">[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html World Factbook]. Retrieved 3 November 2006. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703220143/https://www.cia.gov/Library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html|date=3 July 2015}}</ref> roughly similar to the combined land areas of [[France]] and the UK. Its eastern regions are located on the Indian plate and the western and northern regions on the [[Iranian plateau]] and Eurasian landplate. Apart from the {{convert|1046|km|abbr=on}} [[Arabian Sea]] coastline, Pakistan's [[Borders of Pakistan|land borders]] total {{convert|6774|km|abbr=on}}—{{convert|2430|km|abbr=on}} with [[Afghanistan]] to the northwest, {{convert|523|km|abbr=on}} with [[China]] to the northeast, {{convert|2912|km|abbr=on}} with [[India]] to the south and east, and {{convert|909|km|abbr=on}} with [[Iran]] to the southwest.<ref name="ciafactbook">{{cite web|title=Pakistan|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524220650/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html|archive-date=24 May 2020|publisher=CIA World Factbook|accessdate=21 April 2016}}</ref>

The northern and western highlands of Pakistan contain the towering Karakoram and Pamir Mountain ranges, which include some of the world's highest peaks, including [[K2]] {{convert|8611|m|abbr=on}} and [[Nanga Parbat]] {{convert|8126|m|abbr=on}}. The [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]] Plateau lies to the west, and the [[Thar Desert]] and an expanse of alluvial plains, the Punjab and [[Sindhustan|Sindh]], lie to the east. The {{convert|1609|km|abbr=on}} [[Indus River]] and its tributaries flow through the country from the disputed territory of [[Occupied Kashmir]] to the [[Arabian Sea]].<ref>{{cite web|author=InfoPlease|title=Pakistan|url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107861.html|accessdate=16 March 2009}}</ref>

Pakistan has four seasons: a cool, dry winter from December through February; a hot, dry spring from March through May; the summer rainy season, or southwest monsoon period, from June through September; and the retreating monsoon period of October and November. The beginning and length of these seasons vary somewhat according to location.<ref>{{cite web|author=U.S. Library of Congress|title=Climate|url=http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/25.htm|accessdate=16 March 2009}}</ref> Rainfall can change radically from year to year, and consecutive patterns of flooding and drought are also not uncommon.<ref>{{cite web|date=28 March 2008|title=Pakistna Climate|url=http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Pakistan-CLIMATE.html|publisher=Encyclopedia of the Nations|accessdate=16 March 2009}}</ref>
==International borders==
[[Image:Pakistan relief location map.jpg|300px|thumb|Geographical location of Pakistan.]]
'''Pakistan's International borders''' are the external [[Border|borders]] of the [[Islamic Republic of Pakistan]]. 
===Geography===
Pakistan's geosphere is geographically unique. It is located within [[South-central Asia|Southcentral Asia]]. It is an integral part of [[Greater Middle East]] Region, with the [[Indus River]] and its tributaries as its main [[Water supply system|water supply]] or lifeline, the world's largest [[Irrigation|Irrigation system]]. 

The nation is bordered by the [[Hindu Kush]] and [[Sulaiman Mountains|Sulaiman Mountain]] ranges in the west, [[Karakoram|Karakoram Mountain range]] in the north, [[Sutlej River]] and [[Thar Desert|Thar desert]] in east, and [[Arabian Sea]] in the south.

===Historical background===
The country in its present form was created by the [[Pakistanis]] themselves out of the imperial colonial [[British Raj]]. 
===Surrounding nations===
Pakistan borders the [[People's Republic of China]] in the north ([[Xinjiang]] Autonomous Türkic Region), and in the north-east [[Tibet Autonomous Region]], the [[disputed territory]] of [[Occupied Kashmir]] which was part of the British Indian territory until 1948 is also included. Pakistan borders the entire eastern length of the country with the [[Republic of India]] and on the south towards the [[Arabian Sea]], to the north-west Pakistan is separated by fourteen kilometres of a narrow strip of the [[Afghanistan|Afghan]]-occupied [[Gorno-Badakhshan]] territory called the '''[[Wakhan]] Corridor''' which extends between [[North Pakistan|Northern Pakistan]] and [[Tajikistan]].<ref name="CITEREFPakistanGeography">{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/23.htm |title=Pakistan: Geography |publisher=US Country Studies
|access-date=2008-05-05}}</ref> 

The [[Islamic Republic]] of [[Afghanistan]] is to the west and north, and [[Iran]] (Ancient Persia) is to the southwest. Pakistan also shares to the extreme south-west a marine border with [[Oman]]. 
===Land borders of Pakistan===
{{anchor| Land }}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Land Border Country
! data-sort-type="number" |Length (m) and (m)
! Force
! Comments
|-
|| {{Flagicon|Afghanistan}} [[Pakistan-Afghanistan barrier|Afghanistan]] || {{convert|2640|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Durand Line {{!}} National Geographic Society|url=https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/durand-line|access-date=2022-06-13|website=education.nationalgeographic.org}}</ref>||  [[Pakistan Army]] || Also see [[Durand Line]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.irinnews.org/feature/2003/10/30/focus-bilateral-border-dispute|title=Focus on bilateral border dispute|date=30 October 2003|website=IRIN|language=en|access-date=15 March 2019}}</ref> As of January 2019, 900&nbsp;km has been completed.<ref>{{Citation|last=Al Jazeera English|title=🇵🇰 'Trump-style wall': Pakistan building wall on Afghan border {{!}} Al Jazeera English|date=29 January 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u99zxKUrzyM|access-date=15 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
|| {{Flagicon|China}} [[Pakistan–China Border|China]] || {{convert|596|km|mi|abbr=}}|| [[Gilgit Baltistan Scouts]] and [[Northern Light Infantry]] || Depends on the Resolution of territorial conflicts between Islamabad and New Delhi. Article 6 of the 1963 Sino-Pakistan treaty provides for a renegotiation of the China-Pakistan boundary if the Kashmir dispute is resolved. However, with Indian relations have deteriorated with China, and poor-to-hostile with Pakistan, it is unlikely the boundary dispute will be resolved anytime soon.<ref name="IBS64">{{citation|url=http://fall.fsulawrc.com/collection/LimitsinSeas/IBS085.pdf|title=International Boundary Study No. 85 – China-Pakistan Boundary|date=15 November 1968|access-date=24 September 2018|archive-date=12 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112220319/https://fall.fsulawrc.com/collection/LimitsinSeas/IBS085.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Also see [[Kashmir conflict]].  
|-
|| {{Flagicon|India}} [[India–Pakistan Border|Republic of India]] (Bharat) || {{convert|3323|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=International Land Border|url=https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/BMIntro-1011.pdf|website=mha.gov.in}}</ref>|| [[Pakistan Rangers]] and [[Pakistan Army]] || Also see [[Rann of Kutch]], [[Operation Gibraltar]] and [[Kori Creek]].
|-
|| {{Flagicon|Iran}} [[Iran–Pakistan barrier|Iran]] || {{convert|909|km|mi|abbr=}}<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/755532.stm
| title = Border patrol with Iran's drugbusters
| access-date = 2007-06-11
| last = Fiske
| first = Philip 
| date = May 19, 2000 
| publisher = [[BBC]]
}}</ref> || [[Pakistan Army]]  || Also see [[Goldsmid Line]] (Open border).
|-
|| {{Flagicon|Tajikistan}} [[Wakhan|Tajikistan]] (''[[de jure]]'') || {{convert|350|km|mi}}<ref>The pass was crossed by a couple in 1950 and by a couple in 2004. See [http://www.mockandoneil.com/stg04r2.htm J.Mock and K. O'Neil: Expedition Report]</ref> || [[Pakistan Army]] and [[Gilgit Baltistan Scouts]] || Tajikistan claims a border with Pakistan specifically via the [[Wakhan Corridor]] (under Afghan's control) with the disputed [[Gilgit-Baltistan]] (PAK) northern Pakistani region, which is currently under Pakistani administration (see [[Kashmir conflict|Kashmir dispute]]).
|-  
|}

{{gallery
|align=center|Image:On the way to Pak-China Border (Khanjrab Pass) near Beautiful Tunnels at atabad lake Hunza Valley.jpg|Monument on [[Khunjerab Pass]], near the border.
||Border gate at Taftan.
|Image:International border at Wagah - evening flag lowering ceremony.jpg|Evening flag lowering ceremony at the [[Wagah]] border (as seen from Pakistani side of the border).}}

===Maritime borders of Pakistan===
The Maritime borders of Pakistan are the [[maritime boundary]] recognized by the [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]]. The [[Government of Pakistan]] promulgated ''Territorial and Maritime Zones Act 1976''. In 1997, Pakistan also declared a straight baseline along its coast. Now the territorial sea is measured 12 nautical miles into sea from the baseline. Using Unclos III, Pakistan has also [[demarcated]] its sea boundaries with both [[Iran]] and [[Oman]].

Sea frontier with [[India]] in the East remains in dispute. Pakistan and India have held 12 rounds of discussions for deciding the exact sea frontier at [[Kori Creek]] and the un-demarcated [[Rann of Kutch|Rann of Kachchh]]. At times, the negotiations appear promising. However, there has been no progress since June 2012.  Pakistan's coastline is 1,146 Square kilometres² (712 Square miles²) long, with its claim of a {{convert|12|NM|adj=on}} territorial maritime zone and {{convert|200|NM|adj=on}} exclusive economic zone, has a more than {{convert|1000|km|adj=on}} maritime border shared with the three nations namely:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Maritime Border Country
! Force
! Comments
|-
|| {{Flagicon|India}} [[India-Pakistan maritime trespassing#Maritime boundary|India]] || [[Pakistan Navy]] and the [[Pakistan Coast Guard]] || [[Kori Creek]]
|-
|| {{Flagicon|Iran}} [[Iran]] || [[Pakistan Navy]] || [[Gulf of Oman|Sea of Oman]]
|-
|| {{Flagicon|Oman}} [[Oman]] || [[Pakistan Navy]] || [[Arabian Sea]]
|}

== Government and politics  ==
{{main|Government of Pakistan|Politics of Pakistan}}
'''Pakistan''' has a federal [[parliamentary system]].<ref name="gop1">{{cite web|url=http://202.83.164.26/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os_hQN68AZ3dnIwN3C3MDAyOPYDNvXwMjQwNnI6B8pFm8n79RqJuJp6GhhZmroYGRmYeJk0-Yp4G7izEB3eEg-_DrB8kb4ACOBvp-Hvm5qfoFuREGWSaOigDeD0uL/dl2/d1/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnB3LzZfVUZKUENHQzIwT0gwODAySFMyNzZWMzEwMDE!/|title=About Government|publisher=Government of Pakistan|accessdate=5 March 2009|archive-date=24 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024003102/http://202.83.164.26/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os_hQN68AZ3dnIwN3C3MDAyOPYDNvXwMjQwNnI6B8pFm8n79RqJuJp6GhhZmroYGRmYeJk0-Yp4G7izEB3eEg-_DrB8kb4ACOBvp-Hvm5qfoFuREGWSaOigDeD0uL/dl2/d1/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnB3LzZfVUZKUENHQzIwT0gwODAySFMyNzZWMzEwMDE!/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[head of state]] is an indirectly elected ceremonial [[President of Pakistan|President]]. The [[Electoral college]] of the country, (composed of the [[Senate of Pakistan|Senate]], the [[National Assembly of Pakistan|National Assembly]], and the four Provincial Assemblies) chooses a leadership representing the President of Pakistan for a five-year term. The president is also the [[Commander-in-Chief|Commander in Chief]] of the [[Pakistani military|Joint Armed Forces]]. The [[head of government]] is the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]], who is also indirectly elected.{{cn}}

The President's appointment and term are constitutionally independent of the Prime Minister's term. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the largest party in the National Assembly or of a coalition in the National Assembly.{{cn}}

The Prime Minister is the head of government. Pakistan's legislature is made of a 100-member Senate (upper house) and a 342-member National Assembly (lower house). The Chief Justice of Pakistan is the chief judge who oversees the judicature's court system at all levels of command.{{cn}}

On 17 August 2018 Ex-cricketer Imran Khan was elected as the New Prime Minister of Naya Pakistan. Because In 2018, [[Imran Khan]] (the chairman of [[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf|PTI]]) Won the [[2018 Pakistan general election]] with 116 general seats and so became the current 22nd [[Prime Minister of Pakistan]] in election of [[National Assembly of Pakistan]] for [[Prime Minister]] by getting 176 votes against [[Shehbaz Sharif]] (the chairman of [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|PMLN]]) who got 96 votes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Imran Khan won Pakistan general election, 2018 and became the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/leader-of-the-house-national-assembly-to-elect-new-prime-minister-of-pakistan-today/ |accessdate=22 August 2018 |work=[[Daily Pakistan]] |archive-date=22 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822081728/https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/leader-of-the-house-national-assembly-to-elect-new-prime-minister-of-pakistan-today/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Pakistan is also headed by a "President", the Prime Minister Acts as the Leader of Pakistan.

=== Politics ===
{{unsourced section|date=November 2023}}
Pakistan is officially a [[federal republic]], but during a long period in its history it changed to a democratic state and a military [[dictator]]ship. Military dictators include [[Ayub Khan]] in the 1960s, General [[General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq|Zia-ul-Haq]] in the 1980s.

Pakistan's two largest [[political party|political parties]] are the [[Pakistan Peoples Party|Pakistan People's Party]] and the government party [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)]].[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]] has also gained popularity in the past years.

On 27 December 2007, the leader of the Pakistan People's Party, [[Benazir Bhutto]], was [[assassinate]]d. The reason is yet to be determined.

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{main|Administrative units of Pakistan|Districts of Pakistan}}

Pakistan is made up of four provinces, two Federally administrated territories and two [[autonomous]] territories. Both special areas are in [[Kashmir]]. The provinces and territories are divided into 26 [[Divisions of Pakistan|divisions]] with now 147 [[Districts of Pakistan|districts]] directly divided from the provinces. Each district is divided into several [[tehsil]]s and each tehsil is divided into several union councils. There are around 596 tehsils and over 6,000 union councils in Pakistan.{{cn}}

'''Provinces''':
# [[File:Flag of Balochistan.svg|22px|Flag of Balochistan]] [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]]
# [[File:Flag of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.svg|22px|Flag of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] (formerly NWFP)
# [[File:Flag of Punjab.svg|22px|Flag of Punjab]] [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]]<ref>Not to be confused with the Indian state of [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]. Both together make up the [[Punjab region]].</ref>
# [[File:Flag of Sindh.svg|22px|flag of Sindh]] [[Sindh|Hindoo''/''Hindu]], latter India.
Among the four provinces, Punjab has the most people, but Balochistan is the largest province by area.
(Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also have [[Provincially Administered Tribal Area]]s<ref name="tribalareas">{{cite web|url=http://www.nrb.gov.pk/constitutional_and_legal/constitution/part12.ch3.html|title=The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan: Part XII|publisher=National Reconstruction Bureau, Government of Pakistan|accessdate=14 February 2008|archive-date=20 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220170506/http://www.nrb.gov.pk/constitutional_and_legal/constitution/part12.ch3.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> (PATA) which are going to be regular districts.)

'''Territories''':
<ol start=5>
<li> [[File:Proposed Flag of Islamabad Capital Territory.svg|22px|flag of Islamabad Capital Territory]] [[Islamabad Capital Territory]]
<li> [[File:Flag of FATA.svg|22px|Flag of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas]] [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas]]
</ol>
'''Autonomous Areas''' ([[Pakistan-administered Kashmir]])
<ol start=7>
<li> [[File:Flag of Azad Kashmir.svg|22px|flag of Azad Kashmir]] [[Azad Kashmir]]
<li> [[Gilgit Baltistan]]
</ol>

India, Pakistan and China separately control parts of the Kashmir region. India and Pakistan's parts are divided by a [[Line of Control]]. The Pakistan–China border is internationally recognized. Trade is common between the 2 countries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.commerce.gov.pk/PCFTA.asp |title=Ministry Of Commerce |access-date=2009-04-25 |archive-date=2009-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129152659/http://commerce.gov.pk/PCFTA.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== National symbols ===
{{main|National symbols of Pakistan}}
{| class="infobox borderless"
|+ National symbols of Pakistan (Official)
|-
! '''National animal'''
| [[Markhor]]
| [[File:Markhor.jpg|50px]]
|-
! '''National bird'''
| [[Chukar]]
| [[File:Keklik.jpg|50px]]
|-
! '''National tree'''
| [[Cedrus deodara]]
| [[File:Pedrengo cedro nel parco Frizzoni.jpg|50px]]
|-
! '''National flower'''
| [[Jasminum officinale]]
| [[File:Jasminum officinale.JPG|50px]]
|-
! '''National heritage state animal'''
| [[Snow Leopard]]
| [[File:Snow Leopard 13.jpg|50px]]
|-
! '''National heritage state bird'''
| [[Shaheen Falcon]]
| [[File:Vándorsólyom.JPG|50px]]
|-
! '''National aquatic marine mammal'''
| [[Indus river dolphin]]
| [[File:Platanista gangetica.jpg|50px]]
|-
! '''National reptile'''
| [[Indus Crocodile]]
| [[File:Persiancrocodile.jpg|50px]]
|-
! '''National fish'''
| [[Tor putitora]]
| [[File:Mahasher.JPG|50px]]
|-
! '''National amphibian'''
| [[Bufo stomaticus]]
| [[File:Bufo stomaticus04.jpg|50px]]
|-
! '''National butterfly'''
| [[Mimathyma ambica|Indian purple emperor]]
| [[File:VB 023 Indian Purple Emperor.jpg|50px]]
|-
! '''National fruit'''
| [[Mango]]
| [[File:Chaunsa.JPG|50px]]
|-
! '''National staple crop'''
| [[Sugarcane]]
| [[File:Shentu - rural landscape east of Shanwei cun - P1260072.JPG|50px]]
|-
! '''National beverage'''
| [[Sugarcane juice]]
| [[File:Sugarcanejuice.jpg|50px]]
|-
! '''National vegetable'''
| [[Okra]]
| [[File:Bucket of raw okra pods.jpg|50px]]
|-
! '''National cuisine'''
| [[Biryani|Pakistani Biryani]] (Beef)
| [[File:Bukhari Rice ارز بخاري بالدجاج.JPG|50px]]
|-
! '''National sport'''
| [[Field hockey]]
| [[File:HOCKEY ARGENTINA PAKISTAN.jpg|50px]]
|-
! '''National dress'''
| [[Salwar kameez]]
| [[File:Zainab Chottani with her show stoppers.jpg|50px]]
|-
! '''National mosque'''
| [[Faisal Mosque]]
| [[File:Shah Faisal Mosque (Islamabad, Pakistan).jpg |50px]]
|-
! '''National mausoleum'''
| [[Mazar-e-Quaid]]
| [[File: Mazar-E-Quaid.jpg|50px]]
|-
! '''National river'''
| [[Indus River|Hindu River]]
| [[File:Indus river from karakouram highway.jpg|50px]]
|-
! '''National mountain'''
| [[K2]]
| [[File:K2, Mount Godwin Austen, Chogori, Savage Mountain.jpg|50px]]
|-
|}

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Pakistan}}
{{See also|Agriculture in Pakistan}}
[[File:Ise_building2.png|left|thumb|ISE Towers in Islamabad]]
Pakistan has a semi-industrialized economy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T3V-3Y21V48-F&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=2d4b7d3ce3b0b4005140c271bb7312a7|title=Agricultural Economics : An analysis of industrial–agricultural interactions: a case study in Pakistan|publisher=ScienceDirect|accessdate=2 January 2010|archive-date=11 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611050652/http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T3V-3Y21V48-F&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=2d4b7d3ce3b0b4005140c271bb7312a7|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="siteresources.worldbank.org">{{cite web|url=http://siteresources.worldbank.org/PAKISTANEXTN/Resources/293051-1241610364594/6097548-1257441952102/balochistaneconomicreportvol2.pdf|title=World Bank Document|accessdate=2 January 2010}}</ref> The growth poles of the Pakistani economy are situated along the [[Indus River]].<ref name="siteresources.worldbank.org"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gecon.yale.edu/Pakistan.htm|title=Pakistan|publisher=Gecon.yale.edu|accessdate=2 January 2010|archive-date=20 July 2009|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090720074224/http://gecon.yale.edu/Pakistan.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Diversified economies of Karachi and Punjab's urban centres, coexist with less developed areas in other parts of the country.<ref name="siteresources.worldbank.org"/> Despite being a very poor country in 1947, Pakistan's economic growth rate has been better than the global average during the following four decades, but incautious policies led to a slowdown in the late 1990s.<ref name="econ_1990s">{{cite web|url=http://www.epb.gov.pk/v1/travelguide/|title=Economy|publisher=Pakistan Trade Development Authority|accessdate=8 March 2009|archive-date=20 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220114913/http://epb.gov.pk/v1/travelguide/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Recently, large economic reforms have resulted in a stronger economic outlook and sped up growth especially in the manufacturing and financial services sectors.<ref name="econ_1990s"/> Since the 1990s, there has been great improvement in the [[foreign exchange market]] position and rapid growth in hard [[currency]] reserves.<ref name="econ_1990s"/>

The 2005 estimate of foreign debt was close to US$40&nbsp;billion. However, this decreased with help from the [[International Monetary Fund]] and significant debt-relief from the United States. Pakistan's gross domestic product, as measured by [[purchasing power parity]], is estimated to be $475&nbsp;billion<ref name="imfdata">{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2007&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=564&s=PPPGDP%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a=&pr.x=59&pr.y=1|title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects (PPP)|publisher=International Monetary Fund|accessdate=8 October 2007}}</ref> while its per capita income stands at $1,842.<ref name="imfdata"/> The poverty rate in Pakistan is estimated to be between 23%<ref name="wbundp">{{cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/2006/06/20/top1.htm|title=WB, UNDP question poverty estimates|work=Dawn |location=Pakistan Group of Newspapers|date=20 June 2006|accessdate=12 February 2008}}</ref> and 38%.<ref name="ciapeople">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html#People|title=Pakistan: People|work=The World Factbook|publisher=CIA|accessdate=12 February 2008|archive-date=24 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524220650/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html#People|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== People ==
=== Languages ===
{{main|Languages of Pakistan}}
There are dozens of languages spoken in Pakistan. [[Urdu language|Urdu]] and English are two official languages of the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://time.com/3975587/pakistan-english-urdu/ |title=Why Pakistan Is Replacing English With Urdu |author=Aditya Agrawal |date=28 July 2015 |website= |publisher=Time, Inc. |accessdate=21 April 2016}}</ref> English is still spoken among the Pakistani [[wikt:elite|elite]] and in most government [[Ministry (government department)|ministries]].<ref name="ciafactbook"/> Other major languages spoken in Pakistan include; [[Saraiki]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[Hindko]], [[Pashto language|Pashto]], [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]], [[Balochi language|Balochi]], [[Brahui language|Brahui]], [[Khowar language|Khowar]], [[Balti language|Balti]] and many [[Languages of Pakistan|others]]. [[Shina language|Shina]] is also one of the regional languages of Pakistan. It is spoken in [[Gilgit-Baltistan]].

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Islam in Pakistan}}{{bar box
|title=Religion in Pakistan
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Islam in Pakistan|Sunni Islam]]|#009000|75}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in Pakistan|Shia Islam]]|#009550|20}}
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in Pakistan|Hinduism]]|#FF4500|2.1}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity in Pakistan|Christianity]]|#9955BB|1.3}}
{{bar percent|[[Ahmadiyya in Pakistan|Ahmadiyya]]|#FF3000|0.2}}
{{bar percent|[[Religion in Pakistan|Others]]|#FF4000|0.3}}
}}Most (90-95%) of the people are [[Muslim]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Muslim Population By Country|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/countries-with-the-largest-muslim-populations.html|access-date=2021-06-09|website=WorldAtlas|date=8 March 2019|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Sunni]] Muslims constitute 70-75% of Pakistan's populations and [[Shia]] Muslims 20-25%. Many other religions are followed in Pakistan too, these are [[Christian]]ity, [[Hindu]]ism, [[Sikh]]ism, [[Zoroastrians|Zoroastrianism]], [[Bahá'í Faith|Baha'i Faith]], Zikrism, [[Ahmadiyya]], [[Judaism]], [[Buddhism]] and [[Animism]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Khan|first=Iftikhar A.|date=2018-05-28|title=Number of non-Muslim voters in Pakistan shows rise of over 30pc|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1410442|access-date=2023-11-27|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref>

After the end [[British India]], [[Hinduism]] had much less importance in the newly created state of Pakistan but has played an important role in its culture and politics as well as the history of its regions. In fact, Pakistan has the 4th largest population of Hindus in the world.

The word '''"Indo-"''' ''or'' '''"Hindu"''', root of it's nouns like "'''Hindu'''ize(-d''/-''r''/''-in''/''-ism)", "'''Hindu'''tva<s>vadi</s>", "'''Hind'''i", "'''Indo'''nesia" and "'''Ind'''ia" is adapted from Classic<s>al</s> Persian word '''"هندو''/''Hindoo''/''Hindū"''', a rip-off of Mid<s>dle</s> Persian word "'''Hindook/Hindūg'''", out of the Proto-Persian word '''"𐏃𐎡𐎯𐎢𐏁''/''Hi<sup>n</sup>doo/Hi<sup>n</sup>du"'''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mahmood|first=Parvez|date=2019-05-25|title='We the people of Pakistan, irrespective of religion, are the true Indians'|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/we-the-people-of-pakistan-irrespective-of-religion-are-the-true-indians/240771/|access-date=2024-09-30|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref> that comes from [[Sindh|Sindhu]], Province of Pakistan, named after [[Indus River|the Indus]], which tells us ''Hindu'' referred to the archenemy of [[India|Bharat''/''India]], Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/Hindu|title=Hindu (noun)|publisher=Online Etymological Dictionary}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hindu {{!}} Etymology of the name Hindu by etymonline|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/Hindu#:~:text=1660s,%20from%20Persian%20Hindu%20(adjective,to%20encompass%20all%20northern%20India.|access-date=2024-09-30|website=www.etymonline.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hinduism {{!}} Etymology of Hinduism by etymonline|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/Hinduism|access-date=2024-09-30|website=www.etymonline.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hindi {{!}} Etymology of the name Hindi by etymonline|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/Hindi#etymonline_v_34327|access-date=2024-09-30|website=www.etymonline.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Indonesia {{!}} Etymology of Indonesia by etymonline|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/Indonesia#etymonline_v_6400|access-date=2024-09-30|website=www.etymonline.com|language=en}}</ref> The Sindhu is One of the Holy Rivers of '''Hindu'''ism. Thus, in many ways, Pakistan has played an important part in the origin of Hinduism. There are about 4-10 million Hindus living in Pakistan, but most of them are concentrated in [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] and [[Sindh]], i.e., the Land of the Vedas.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Hindus in Sindh|url=https://hal.science/hal-03959098/document#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20official%20census,10%20million%20Hindus%20in%20Sindh.|access-date=27 Nov 2023|website=Archive ouverte HAL}}</ref>

== Problems ==
Pakistani society also has a number of problems.
*Many people think the government is unstable
*There are still many people who [[literacy|cannot read or write]] well enough to cope in their everyday life
*There were many military regimes.  Even if there is the concept of electing officials, the idea of democracy is still developing.
*Many people see Pakistan as a [[fragile state]]. Things like [[freedom of the press]] or the rights of minorities are often not guaranteed
*Pakistan sees itself as an Islamic state. After it became independent many laws were changed so that Islam had a bigger influence. Many people in East Pakistan preferred the [[secularism|laws that did not refer to religion]]. In 1971, East Pakistan became independent. It is called [[Bangladesh]] today.
*There are clashes between different social and ethnic groups.
*There are [[blasphemy laws]]. Very often, these laws are used against minorities.

Other problems are listed below

=== Poverty ===
[[Poverty]] in Pakistan is a growing concern because of [[population growth]] in the country. Although the middle-class has grown in Pakistan, nearly 50% of the population is classified poor as of September 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2023-09-25|title=Pakistan's 40% population lives below poverty line: World Bank|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pakistans-40-population-lives-below-poverty-line-world-bank-101695603599414.html|access-date=2023-10-02|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

=== Population growth ===
Pakistan has a high population growth. Between 1951 and 2017, the population increased by a factor of six. In 1951, there were 33.7 million people in Pakistan, in 2017, there were 207.7 million. [[Urbanization]] is ongoing. There are two megacities, [[Karachi]] and [[Lahore]]. Despite this, Pakistan has one of the lowest [[urbanization rate]]s in the world. In 2017, over 130 million Pakistanis, or 65% of the population lived in rural areas. 

Pakistan also has high fertility rate. Estimates of 2022 are that on average, there are 3.5 children per adult woman. As a consequence, the Pakistanis are young: 40.3% of the people are 15 years or younger, only 3.7% of the people are 65 or older. The median age in the country is 19. This means that half the population are 19 or younger, the other half are over 19.

There are also many [[refugee]]s. The [[UNHCR]] estimated, that Pakistan has the forth-largest refugee population worldwide.

== Sports ==
{{further|Pakistan at the Olympics|Pakistan national field hockey team|Pakistan national football team}}

The national sport of Pakistan is [[field hockey]], although [[cricket]] is the most popular game across the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/saad-khan/the-death-of-sports-in-pa_b_498758.html|title=The Death of Sports in Pakistan|last=Khan|first=Saad|date=15 March 2010|work=The Huffington Post|accessdate=8 July 2010}}</ref> The national cricket team has won the [[Cricket World Cup]] once (in 1992), were runners-up once (in 1999), and co-hosted the games twice (in 1987 and 1996). Pakistan were runners-up in the inaugural 2007 ICC World Twenty20 held in South Africa and were the champions at the 2009 ICC World [[Twenty20]] held in England. The team also won two Asia Cups in 2000 and 2012. Lately however, Pakistani cricket has suffered heavily due to teams refusing to tour Pakistan after militants attacked the touring [[2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lankan team in March 2009]], after which no international cricket was played until May 2015, when the Zimbabwean team agreed to tour. However, now, with increased security, the [[Sri Lanka cricket team|Sri Lankan cricket team]] came for a tour as recently as 2019.{{cn}}

In addition to sports like field hockey, cricket, squash rackets, football and others, Pakistanis are also very keen on [[equestrianism]] of various types,and equestrian sports such as [[Polo]] and the traditional [[Tent pegging]] are played by many. Other traditional rural sports include two types of [[Wrestling]], [[Kabbadi]] and a martial art called [[Gatka]].{{cn}}

==Related pages==
* [[History of Pakistan]]
* [[Religions of Pakistan]]
* [[List of rivers of Pakistan]]
* [[Political families of Pakistan]]
* [[Transportation in Pakistan]]
* [[Pakistan at the Olympics]]
* [[National symbols of Pakistan]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
'''Notes'''
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==Other websites==
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/pakistan/ Pakistan] - CIA World Factbook

{{Pakistan topics}}
{{Geography of Pakistan}}
{{Countries bordering the Arabian Sea}}
{{Commonwealth nations}}
{{Middle East}}
{{Asia}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Pakistan| ]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:English-speaking countries]]
[[Category:Federations]]
[[Category:Members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]]
[[Category:Commonwealth member states]]
[[Category:Borders of Pakistan]]