Country Information on Pakistan 

Terrain

Pakistan is a very mountainous country which can be divided into six geographical regions: the Indus plain, which runs from north to south on the eastern bank of the river of the same name, the Baluchistan plateau to the south-west, the Sulaiman mountains in the west, the coastal plain in the south, the Himalayas in the north and the Thar desert (also known as the Great Indian Desert) in the far east of the country. Pakistan's highest peak is K 2, also known as Mount Godwin Austen (8,607 m). Its main river is the Indus, which flows into the Arabian Sea.

Climate

Pakistan generally has a hot and dry climate, with desert conditions prevailing in some areas of the country. There are semi-arid steppe regions along the western border and in areas of the north. A subtropical climate with marked summer rainfall dominates a small north-eastern area along the Himalayan foothills; in the north, there is an Alpine climate that varies with altitude. In the Indus River Valley, summer temperatures vary between 32°C and 49°C, whereas in winter the average temperature is 13°C.

Fauna/Flora

Vegetation varies according to altitude in Pakistan. Alpine flora grows in the mountains, and forests are found in the lower areas. Among the forest species that are characteristic of the region are cedar, pine, oak and fir trees. Pakistan has numerous species of animals such as wild boars, red deer and water birds. Steppe regions provide a habitat for jackals, foxes, wildcats, snakes and different rodents. Crocodiles are also found in the Indus Valley. Bears, leopards, wild goats, wild sheep and snow leopards live in the mountains.

History/Politics

Pakistan's history dates back to 3000 BC, when the Indus Valley inhabitants formed states. Various invading tribes, first the Dravidians and then Indo-Europeans, then settled in the region, forming one of the most advanced civilisations of ancient times. Around the 6th century BC, the region was ruled by the Persians and the Maurya Empire formed in the middle of the 4th century BC, under which the region developed significantly.

After the fall of the empire around 180 BC, the area was conquered by various peoples in succession, until it was occupied by Mohammad bin Qasim in the 7th century AD. It was governed by various Muslim dynasties, including the Turks at the end of the 12th century and the Mongols from the 16th century.

The decadence of the Mongols led, in the 18th century, to the formation of small weak Muslim and Hindu states, which made it easier for the British army to conquer the Hindu subcontinent and adjacent territories, for it to become part of the British colony of India and for commercial ports to be established in the region.

At the beginning of the 20th century, India's Muslim leaders called for a political organisation that was independent from the Hindus, which was granted by the British government, and which led to the formation of the Muslim League in 1909. During the 1930s, the idea of Pakistan becoming a separate country formed. The Muslim League aspired to this following the independence of India from Great Britain in 1947.

As a result of tensions and Muslim protests, Hindu leaders finally agreed to the separation of Pakistan (then consisting of East and West Pakistan). The decades that followed were characterised by instability and political conflicts which led to Pakistan becoming an Islamic Republic and Bangladesh (previously known as East Pakistan) gained its independence in 1971.

In 1977, General Zia came to power after the military coup against President Bhutto, and immediately accelerated the process of "Islamisation" in the country. General elections took place in 1988, after Zia's death in an alleged plane crash. The elections were won by the People's Party of Pakistan, and its candidate, Benazir Bhutto, became the first female Prime Minister in an Islamic country.

In 1990, she was accused of nepotism and corruption and was therefore removed from office. New elections took place and the candidate of the Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif, was elected prime minister. The years that followed were politically turbulent; prime ministers were removed from office and new elections took place and a military coup failed in 1995. In 1997, Sharif returned to power and made a series of political changes, including the promulgation of the "sharia" as the country's supreme law. In 1999, General Pervez Musharraf overthrew Sharif and proclaimed himself president. According to the April 2002 referendum, his mandate has been prolonged for five more years. In 2005, attempts at reconciling Pakistan and India resulted in the first bus trip between India and the Pakistani part of Kashmir in 57 years, in which the Pakistani cricket team travelled to a match with the Indian team. Though the Islamic militants opposed this trip, it helped establish diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Economy

Agriculture is the mainstay of Pakistan's economy, which has been affected by continual wars, political revolts, an unfavourable climate, a dramatic increase in the population, as well as the burden of three million Afghan refugees. In 2001, a new economic policy was introduced, which sought to reduce the budget deficit and debt. Structural reforms were also implemented, which included programmes on privatisation and monetary and fiscal policies. In 2003, the inflation rate was 3.2% and the unemployment rate was 7.3%.

Culture

Buddhist monuments, Hindu temples, Islamic palaces and Anglo-Mughal mansions are found in Pakistan. Greco-Buddhist friezes and crafts dominate sculpture and ceramics. Religious songs and folk dances are traditional and the latter are known for their sensuality and expressiveness. Mohammad Iqbal is Pakistan's most well-known poet. He wrote books on poetry and philosophy and played an important role in the formation of Pakistan.