About Pakistan

Introduction:

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan emerged as an independent state on 14^th of August, 1947. It comprises of four provinces: Punjab, Sind, North West Frontier Province (N.W.F.P.) and Baluchistan; besides the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with  Islamabad as its federal capital. Over 97% of the country's population is Muslim. 

Pakistan covers an area of 796,095 sq km. Lying between latitude 24° and 73° North and Longitude 62° and 75° East. The country borders Iran on the West, while India in the East, Afghanistan in the North and North-West and the People's Republic of China in the North-West to North-East. 

Climatically, Pakistan enjoys a considerable measure of variety. North and North-Western high mountain ranges are extremely cold in winter while the summer months from April to September are very pleasant. The vast plains of the Indus valley are extremely hot in summer and have cold weather in winter. The coastal strip in the south has a temperate climate. There is general deficiency in the rainfall. In the plains the annual average rainfall ranges from 13 cm and in the northern parts of the lower Indus plains, it ranges to 89 cm in the Himalayas region. Rains are monsoonal in origin and fall late in summer.

 

Capital and Important Cities:

Islamabad (Capital)

Islamabad, the Capital of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, lies at the base of the Margalla Hills adjacent to Rawalpindi, Punjab, on the north side. Being a new capital, its ground-breaking started in October, 1961. In a short span, Islamabad has become one of the most impressive capitals in the world, exuding hope and confidence in Pakistan’s future.  

Karachi

Karachi, the Capital City of Sindh was the first capital of Pakistan until 1959 and birth place of Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah; the Founder of the country. Karachi rubs shoulders with most of the industrialized cities of the world, boasting massive business and commercial centers, tall buildings and beautiful beaches. Karachi, the main seaport of Pakistan also serves as naval centre and houses Pakistan national Shipping Corporation.

Lahore 

Lahore, the Capital of Punjab is a historical city which proudly hosted the passing of Pakistan Resolution in 1940 by Muslim league under the inspiring leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Lahore is also a proud custodian of Pakistan’s historical and cultural heritage. Being the centre of cultural and literary activities it may rightly be called the cultural capital of Pakistan. The warm and receptive people of Lahore are known for their traditional hospitality. 

Peshawar 

Boasting of rich and varied traditions and culture, Peshawar, the capital of NWFP, is the city of lion- hearted people, the proud Pathans. Like other main cities, Peshawar also houses impressive historical places, like Qissakhawani Bazaar, Masjid Mohabat Khan etc 

Quetta 

Nestling in the picturesque valley between the Murad and Chiltan Mountains, Quetta, the Capital of Baluchistan, Is located on the cross- roads leading towards Iran. Quetta takes pride in producing onyx and onyx-products, and a variety of juicy and dry fruits. 

 

Glossary: 

• Father of the Nation:
  Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
  • Born: December 25, 1876
  • Died: September 11, 1948
• Pakistan National Flag:
  Dark Green with a white vertical bar, a white crescent and a five-pointed star in the middle. The flag symbolizes Pakistan's profound commitment to Islam and the Islamic world. It was approved on 11th august, 1947.

 

Banks:

Government Owned Banks

1. First Women Bank Ltd. (www.fwbl.com.pk)
2. Industrial Development Bank of Pakistan (www.idbp.com.pk)
3. Khushhali Bank (www.khushhalibank.com.pk)
4. National Bank of Pakistan (www.nbp.com.pk)
5. SME Bank Limited (www.smebank.org)
6. The Bank of Khyber (www.bok.com.pk)
7. The Bank of Punjab (www.bop.com.pk)
8. Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (www.ztbl.com.pk)

 

Privatized Banks

1. Allied Bank Limited (www.abl.com.pk)
2. Habib Bank Limited (www.habibbankltd.com)
3. MCB Bank Limited (www.mcb.com.pk)
4. United Bank Limited (www.ubl.com.pk)

 

Private Banks

1. ABN AMRO Bank (Pakistan) Limited (Merged with Prime Bank Ltd. in October 2007) (www.abnamro.com.pk)
2. Arif Habib Bank Limited (www.arifhabibbank.com)
3. Askari Bank Limited (www.askaribank.com.pk)
4. ATLAS BANK LIMITED (www.atlasbank.com.pk)
5. Bank Al-Falah Ltd. (www.bankalfalah.com)
6. Bank Al-Habib Ltd. (www.bankalhabib.com)
7. BANKISLAMI PAKISTAN LTD (www.bankislami.com.pk)
8. Crescent Commercial Bank Ltd. (www.cresbank.com)
9. Dawood Islamic Bank Limited (www.dawoodislamic.com)
10. DUBAI ISLAMIC BANK (www.alislami.co.ae)
11. Emirates Global Islamic Bank Limited (www.egibl.com)
12. Faysal Bank Ltd. (www.faysalbank.com)
13. HABIB Metropolitan Bank Ltd. (Merged with Habib Bank AG Zurich in October 2006) (www.hmb.com.pk)
14. JS Bank Limited (www.js.com)
15. KASB Commercial Bank Ltd.(www.kasbbank.com)
16. Meezan Bank Ltd. (www.meezanbank.com)
17. Standard Chartered Ltd. (www.standardchartered.com)
18. NDLC-IFIC Bank Ltd. (NIB) (www.nibpk.com)
19. PICIC Commercial Bank Ltd. (www.picicbank.com)
20. Saudi-Pak Commercial Bank Ltd.(www.saudipakbank.com)
21. Soneri Bank Ltd. (www.soneri.com)
22. STANDARD CHARTERED BANK (Pak) limited (Re-constituted in December 2006) (www.standardchartered.com)
23. Prime Commercial Bank Ltd. (www.primebank.com.pk)

 

Foreign Banks

1. Al Baraka Islamic Bank B.S.C. (E.C.), Pakistan (www.albaraka.com.pk)
2. Citibank N.A., Pakistan (www.citibank.com.pk)
3. Deutsche Bank AG, Pakistan (www.db.com)
4. Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Pakistan (www.hsbc.com.pk)
5. Oman International Bank S.O.A.G., Pakistan (www.oiboman.com)

 

Development Financial Institutions

1. Pakistan Industrial Credit and Investment Corp. Ltd. (www.nibpk.com)
2. Pak Kuwait Investment Company (Pvt) Ltd. (www.pkic.com)
3. Pak Libya Holding Company (Pvt) Ltd. (www.paklibya.com.pk)
4. Pak-Oman Investment Company (Pvt) Ltd. (www.pakoman.com)
5. Saudi Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company (Pvt) Ltd. (www.saudipak.com)
6. House Building Finance Corporation (www.hbfc.com.pk)
7. NATIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST LIMITED (www.nit.com.pk)

 

Non Member Banks

1. Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Limited, Pakistan (www.bk.mufg.jp)
2. Rozgar Micro Finance Bank (www.rozgarbank.com)
3. Tameer Micro Finance Bank Limited (www.tameerbank.com)

 

Small and Medium Enterprise (PBA subgroup under formation)

1. First Microfinance Bank Limited (www.mfb.com.pk/webmfb.nsf)
2. Pak Oman Microfinance Bank Limited (www.pomicro.com)

 

Geographical Facts: 

Area Sq Km:

• Pakistan: 796,096 Sq.Km
• Punjab: 205,344 Sq.Km
• Sindh: 140,914 Sq.Km
• North West Frontier Province (NWFP): 74,521 Sq.Km
• Balochistan: 347,190 Sq.Km
• Federally Administered Tribal Areas(FATA): 27,220 Sq.Km
• Federal Capital: 906 Sq.Km

Famous Mountain Peaks (World Height Rating | Height):

• 2nd: K-2(Mount Godwin Austen) 28,250 Ft/8611m
• 8th: Nanga Parbat 26,660 Ft/8126m
• 11th: Gasherbrum 1 26,470 Ft/8068m 

Famous Mountain Passes (Location):

• The Khyber Pass, NWFP
• The Kurrum Pass, NWFP
• The Tochi Pass, NWFP
• The Gomal Pass, NWFP
• The Bolan Pass, Baluchistan
• The Lowari Pass, Northern Areas
• The Khunjrab Pass, Northern Areas

Major Rivers: (Length)

• River Indus: 2896 Km
• River Jhelum: 825 Km
• River Chenab: 1242 Km
• River Ravi: 901 Km
• River Sutlej: 1551 Km
• River Beas (Tributary of Sutlej): 398 Km

Glaciers:

• Baltoro: 72 Km
• Siachin: 75 Km
• Batura: 55 Km
• Baltoro: 62 Km
• Hisper: 55 Km

Deserts: (Location)

• Thar, Sindh
• Cholistan, Punjab
• Thal, Punjab

Lakes: (Location)

• Lake Manchhar, Sindh
• Lake Keenjhar, Sindh
• Lake Hanna, Baluchistan
• Lake Saif-ul-Maluk, North West Frontier Province (NWFP)
• Lake Satpara, Northern Areas
• Lake Kachura Northern Areas

Major Dams: (Location)

• Mangla Dam, Punjab
• Tarbela Dam, North West Frontier Province
• Warsak Dam, North West Frontier Province

Flora:

• Pine
• Oak
• Poplar
• Deodar
• Maple
• Mulberry

Fauna:

• Pheasant
• Leopard
• Deer
• Ibex
• Chinkara
• Black Buck
• Neelgai
• Markhor
• Marcopolo Sheep
• Green Turtles
• River and Sea Fish
• Crocodile
• Water Fowls 

 

Other Information: 

National Flower: Jasmine

Currency: Pak Rupee 

Per Capita Income: (1996-97) (MP) Rs.4, 739 

Official Language: Urdu and English 

National Language: Urdu 

Provincial Languages: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Kashmiri 

National Game: Hockey 

Religion: Islam

Total Budget Outlay:

• (1997-98) Rs.552 Billion
• GDP (FC) 1996-97 Rs.582,639 Million
• GDP (MP) 1996-97 Rs.647,017 Million
• GNP (FC) 1996-97 Rs.576,802 Million
• GNP (MP) 1996-97 Rs.641,180 Million

Attractions:

• Karachi: Pakistan's former capital and its largest city. Modern industrial city and a major port.
• Sindh: Region known for its remarkable quality of light. Site of Mohenjo- Daro, an ancient settlement.
• Lahore: Historic, bustling city with pink-and-white marble buildings, the center of Punjab
• Islamabad: Pakistan's Federal Capital.
• Kashmir: Home of some of the highest mountains in the world, Ancient Silk Road.
• Peshawar: Capital of the North West Frontier Province. Peshawar City is surrounded by high walls with 20 entry gates. 

Temperature:

Pakistan's temperature is quite moderate. In fact, it is a country with a variety of temperatures within its geographical boundaries. In summer, one can find variance from 15 to 50 degrees.