Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is bordered by India to the east, China to the northeast, Afghanistan to the west and northwest, and Iran to the southwest. Its southern coastline lies along the Arabian Sea. Pakistan covers about 882,000 square kilometres.[1] Islamabad is the national capital, while Karachi, the capital of Sindh, is the country's largest city and one of its principal commercial and industrial centres.[2]
The 2023 Population and Housing Census recorded 241,499,431 people in Pakistan's four provinces and the Islamabad Capital Territory.[3] The Pakistan Economic Survey 2025–26 estimated the population at 252.09 million in 2025.[4]
Pakistan was created in 1947 during the partition of British India. It originally consisted of two geographically separated wings, West Pakistan and East Pakistan. Following a political crisis and the 1971 war, East Pakistan became the independent country of Bangladesh.[5]
The country's geography ranges from the coastal plains and deserts of the south to the Indus River basin and some of the world's highest mountain ranges in the north. K2, located in the Karakoram, rises to 8,611 metres and is the highest mountain in Pakistan and the second-highest mountain in the world.[6]
History
Ancient period
The territory that forms modern Pakistan has been inhabited since prehistoric times and contains archaeological sites associated with some of South Asia's earliest complex societies. Mohenjo-daro, in present-day Sindh, was one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation. UNESCO dates the settlement to the third millennium BCE and notes its planned streets, drainage system, wells and substantial public buildings.[7]
Taxila, in present-day Punjab, contains archaeological remains from several periods. The site reflects Persian, Greek, Central Asian and South Asian influences and became an important centre of Buddhist culture and learning in antiquity.[8]
Islamic political influence expanded into Sindh during the early eighth century after forces led by Muhammad bin Qasim entered the region in 711 CE. Different Muslim dynasties subsequently controlled parts of the territory over the following centuries.[9]
Medieval and early modern period
Large areas of present-day Pakistan later became part of the Mughal Empire, which was established in the Indian subcontinent in 1526. Lahore developed into an important political, architectural and cultural centre during Mughal rule.
As Mughal authority weakened, the Sikh Empire emerged as a major regional power under Ranjit Singh. The British defeated the Sikh state in the nineteenth century, and Punjab was annexed by the British East India Company in 1849.[10]
Independence and partition
During the final decades of British rule, the All-India Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, became the principal political organisation advocating the creation of a separate state for Muslims of British India. British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan in August 1947.[11]
Pakistan observes 14 August 1947 as its Independence Day.[12] The new country consisted of West Pakistan and East Pakistan, separated by more than 1,000 kilometres of Indian territory.
Large-scale migration occurred across the newly established borders during partition. Muslims moved into Pakistan from areas that became part of India, while many Hindus and Sikhs moved in the opposite direction.
Constitutional development
Pakistan initially operated as a dominion. Its first constitution came into force on 23 March 1956 and established the country as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with a parliamentary system of government.[13]
The 1956 Constitution was abrogated after martial law was imposed in October 1958. A new constitution introduced a presidential form of government in 1962.[13]
Political tensions between East and West Pakistan intensified during the following decade. The 1970 general election was followed by a constitutional and political crisis. Armed conflict broke out in East Pakistan in 1971 and developed into war between India and Pakistan. East Pakistan subsequently became the independent state of Bangladesh.[5]
A new constitution was promulgated on 14 August 1973. It restored a parliamentary form of government and introduced a bicameral federal legislature consisting of the National Assembly and Senate.[13]
Pakistan's later political history has included periods of elected civilian government as well as military rule. Parliament was suspended following the military takeover led by General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in 1977 and was restored in the 1980s.[14]
Geography
Pakistan extends from the Arabian Sea in the south to the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountain systems in the north. Its physical landscape includes the Indus plain, the Balochistan Plateau, deserts, coastal areas and high mountain valleys.[1]
The Indus River is the country's principal river. Together with its tributaries, it supports extensive agricultural areas, particularly in Punjab and Sindh.
Northern Pakistan contains some of the highest mountains on Earth. K2 reaches 8,611 metres above sea level and lies on the Pakistan–China border. Other major peaks include Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II.[6]
Pakistan has an area of approximately 882,000 square kilometres according to the Commonwealth country profile.[1] Area totals can differ between statistical sources because of differences in territorial coverage and methodology.
Climate
Pakistan's climate varies considerably by region and elevation. Much of the country is arid or semi-arid, while high-altitude northern regions have alpine and subalpine conditions. Summers can be extremely hot in the plains and desert areas.
Seasonal monsoon rainfall is particularly important in eastern and northern areas. Rainfall is uneven from year to year, and Pakistan experiences both droughts and major floods.
Natural hazards and climate risks
Pakistan is exposed to floods, earthquakes, drought, heatwaves, landslides and glacial hazards. The World Bank identifies climate change and natural disasters as significant challenges to the country's economic and social development.[15]
The severe floods of 2022 caused estimated physical damage exceeding US$14.9 billion and economic losses of about US$15.2 billion. A post-disaster assessment estimated that resilient rehabilitation and reconstruction would require at least US$16.3 billion.[16]
Government and politics
Pakistan operates under the Constitution of 1973 and has a federal parliamentary system. The president is the head of state, while executive authority is principally exercised through the prime minister and the federal cabinet.[13]
The Parliament of Pakistan is bicameral. Article 50 of the Constitution provides that Parliament consists of the president and two houses: the National Assembly and the Senate.[17]
As of September 2026, Asif Ali Zardari serves as president and Shehbaz Sharif serves as prime minister.[18] Zardari was sworn in for his current presidential term on 10 March 2024.[19]
Administrative divisions
Pakistan has four provinces:
The federal capital is located in the Islamabad Capital Territory. Pakistan also administers Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.[2]
The broader Kashmir region is contested between Pakistan and India. The United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan operates along the Line of Control, which separates Pakistan-administered and Indian-administered parts of Kashmir.[20]
Economy
Pakistan has a mixed economy in which services, agriculture and industry are all major components. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025–26, provisional real GDP growth for fiscal year 2025–26 was 3.7%. Services represented approximately 58.42% of GDP, agriculture 23.44% and industry 18.14%.[21]
Agriculture remains important for employment, food production and industrial raw materials. Major crops include wheat, rice, cotton and sugarcane.
Pakistan's manufacturing industries include textiles and clothing, food processing, cement, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fertiliser, engineering products and consumer goods. The textile and clothing industries form an important part of merchandise exports.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics lists products such as knitwear, ready-made garments, bedwear, cotton cloth, towels and cotton yarn among the country's major export categories.[22]
The service sector includes wholesale and retail trade, transport, banking, telecommunications, information technology, public administration and other professional and consumer services.
Remittances from Pakistanis living and working abroad are an important source of foreign exchange. World Bank data recorded personal remittances equivalent to approximately 9.9% of Pakistan's GDP in 2025.[23]
The national currency is the Pakistani rupee, with the international currency code PKR.
Demographics
The 2023 national census recorded a population of 241,499,431 in the four provinces and Islamabad Capital Territory.[3] Punjab was the most populous province, followed by Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The Pakistan Economic Survey estimated the national population at 252.09 million in 2025.[4]
Pakistan has both a large rural population and rapidly growing urban centres. Karachi is the country's largest city, while other major cities include Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Peshawar, Multan, Hyderabad, Quetta and Islamabad.
World Bank data reported life expectancy at birth at approximately 68 years in 2024.[23]
Languages
Pakistan is a multilingual country. The 2023 census reported Punjabi as the mother tongue of 36.98% of the population, Pashto 18.15%, Sindhi 14.31%, Saraiki 12.00%, Urdu 9.25%, Balochi 3.38%, Hindko 2.32% and Brahui 1.16%. The census also recorded speakers of languages including Kashmiri, Shina, Balti, Kohistani and Mewati.[3]
Article 251 of the Constitution identifies Urdu as the national language of Pakistan. The Constitution permits English to continue being used for official purposes until arrangements are made for its replacement by Urdu. It also allows provincial legislatures to provide for the teaching, promotion and use of provincial languages.[24]
Religion
Islam is the religion of the large majority of Pakistan's population. According to the 2023 census, Muslims represented approximately 96.35% of the population covered by the census, while non-Muslim communities collectively accounted for about 3.65%.[3]
The census recorded Hindu, Christian, Scheduled Caste, Ahmadi and other religious communities. Hindus represented approximately 1.61% of the enumerated population and Christians approximately 1.37%.[3]
Education
Pakistan has public and private schools, colleges, universities, technical institutions and religious seminaries. Article 25-A of the Constitution establishes a state obligation to provide free and compulsory education to children between the ages of five and sixteen.[25]
The 2023 census reported a literacy rate of 60.65% among people aged ten and above. Male literacy was recorded at 68.00% and female literacy at 52.84%. Urban literacy was higher than rural literacy.[3]
Access to schooling varies by gender, income, province and geographic location. UNICEF estimated in 2026 that approximately 25.1 million Pakistani children aged 5 to 16 were out of school, representing roughly 35% of children in that age group.[26]
Higher education is provided through public and private universities and degree-awarding institutions across the country.
Culture
Pakistani culture reflects the country's regional, linguistic and historical diversity. Cultural traditions vary across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and other regions.
Urdu has an important role in national literature, media and popular culture, while Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Saraiki, Balochi, Brahui and other languages maintain their own literary and oral traditions.[3]
Traditional and modern forms of music include classical music, folk traditions, qawwali, ghazal singing and popular music. Regional music and dance traditions vary substantially across the country.
Pakistani cuisine also differs by region but commonly incorporates wheat, rice, pulses, vegetables, meat and spices. Culinary traditions have been influenced by South Asian, Central Asian, Persian and regional practices.
Architecture and heritage
Pakistan contains archaeological and architectural remains representing many periods of its history. These include the ruins of Mohenjo-daro, Buddhist archaeological sites around Taxila and Takht-i-Bahi, Islamic monuments, Mughal architecture, Sikh-era structures and buildings from the British colonial period.[7][8]
As of 2026, UNESCO lists six Pakistani properties on the World Heritage List, all classified as cultural sites:
- Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro
- Taxila
- Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol
- Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore
- Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta
- Rohtas Fort
Lahore contains several prominent monuments of the Mughal period, including the Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens and Badshahi Mosque.
Foreign relations
Pakistan was admitted to the United Nations on 30 September 1947.[28]
It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Pakistan originally joined the Commonwealth in 1947, withdrew in 1972 and rejoined in 1989.[1]
Pakistan is also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and has been part of the organisation since 1969.[29]
Pakistan is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif represented Pakistan at the organisation's Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek in September 2026.[30]
Relations with neighbouring India have been shaped by several wars, periods of diplomatic tension, trade and negotiations, with the status of Jammu and Kashmir remaining a major unresolved dispute. The United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan continues to operate along the Line of Control.[31]
Defence
The Pakistan Armed Forces consist principally of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force.
Pakistan possesses nuclear weapons. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute identified Pakistan as one of nine nuclear-armed states at the beginning of 2026 and reported that Pakistan, along with the other nuclear-armed states, continued programmes related to its nuclear forces during 2025.[32]
Transport and infrastructure
Pakistan's transport network includes roads, motorways, railways, airports and seaports. The national road network connects major cities and provincial centres, while a motorway system links several of the country's largest urban areas.
Pakistan Railways operates passenger and freight rail services across much of the country. Major international airports serve Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and other cities.
The principal commercial seaports include the Port of Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar Port. Karachi and Port Qasim handle a substantial share of Pakistan's maritime trade.
Tourism
Pakistan's tourism attractions include mountain landscapes, archaeological sites, historic cities, religious heritage and coastal areas. The northern regions are known for high-altitude trekking and mountaineering, including routes in the Karakoram and Himalayas.[6]
Major cultural and archaeological destinations include Lahore, Mohenjo-daro, Taxila, Makli, Rohtas Fort and Takht-i-Bahi. Six sites are currently included on UNESCO's World Heritage List.[27]
See also
- History of Pakistan
- Geography of Pakistan
- Economy of Pakistan
- Demographics of Pakistan
- Culture of Pakistan
- Administrative divisions of Pakistan
- Foreign relations of Pakistan
- Pakistan Armed Forces
- List of cities in Pakistan
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Pakistan. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Provinces. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 National Census Report 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Highlights – Pakistan Economic Survey 2025–26. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The South Asia Crisis and the Founding of Bangladesh, 1971. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Pakistan. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Taxila. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ A History of Sindh. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Pakistan: A Country Study. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Pakistan – Countries. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Pakistan's Independence Day Celebrated in Bucharest. 14 August 2026. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Brief History of Parliament Houses in Pakistan. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Pakistan Overview. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Pakistan: Flood Damages and Economic Losses Over USD 30 billion and Reconstruction Needs Over USD 16 billion. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Composition of Parliament. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Government of Pakistan. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ The President of Pakistan. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ About UNMOGIP. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Highlights – Pakistan Economic Survey 2025–26. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ External Trade Statistics. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Pakistan – Data. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan – Article 251. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Every Child Learns. May 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Education. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Pakistan – World Heritage Convention. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Member States. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Member States. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ The 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO Member States and the SCO Plus Meeting Held in Kyrgyzstan. 1 September 2026. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Mandate. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Increasing focus on nuclear weapons amid heightened escalation risks – new SIPRI Yearbook out now. 8 June 2026. Retrieved 22 September 2026.