Introducing Pakistan
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.
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
- 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
Attractions
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.
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.