3. A few facts about PakistanA few facts about Pakistan
Founded by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.Founded by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Pakistan emerged as an independent sovereign state onPakistan emerged as an independent sovereign state on
August 14August 14thth
1947.1947.
Capital City: IslamabadCapital City: Islamabad
Total Area: 796,095 sq kmTotal Area: 796,095 sq km
Population: 167,421,000Population: 167,421,000
Language: Urdu (National) English (official)Language: Urdu (National) English (official)
Divided into 4 provinces: Sindh, Punjab, North WestDivided into 4 provinces: Sindh, Punjab, North West
Frontier Province, and Balochistan.Frontier Province, and Balochistan.
4. A few facts… continued.A few facts… continued.
•Pakistan relies on its network of canals to run
its agricultural economy.
•Major Crops: Wheat, cotton, rice, millet, sugar
canes.
•Major Fruits: mangos, oranges, bananas,
apples
•Main Resources: natural gas, coal, salt & iron.
•Cotton, textiles, sugar, cement & chemicals
play an important role in the economy.
5. Pakistan has a parliamentary form government, it consists of twoPakistan has a parliamentary form government, it consists of two
houses, the senate (upper house) and the national assemblyhouses, the senate (upper house) and the national assembly
(lower house)(lower house)
The senate consists of 100 members and the national assembly hasThe senate consists of 100 members and the national assembly has
a total of 342 elected members (272 general seats, 60 women, anda total of 342 elected members (272 general seats, 60 women, and
10 Non-Muslim seats)10 Non-Muslim seats)
The President is elected for a 5 year term by the electoral college.The President is elected for a 5 year term by the electoral college.
The electoral college is made up of the four provincial assemblies,The electoral college is made up of the four provincial assemblies,
the federally administered tribal areas & the federal capital form.the federally administered tribal areas & the federal capital form.
The President MUST be Muslim.The President MUST be Muslim.
The President may be reelected but for no more than twoThe President may be reelected but for no more than two
consecutive terms.consecutive terms.
6. Government Continued..Government Continued..
The Chairman of Senate is next in line to act as the President.The Chairman of Senate is next in line to act as the President.
The Prime Minister is appointed by the president from amongThe Prime Minister is appointed by the president from among
the members of the National Assembly.the members of the National Assembly.
Only the National Assembly can approve federal budget andOnly the National Assembly can approve federal budget and
finance bills.finance bills.
The Senate and National Assembly can initiate and passThe Senate and National Assembly can initiate and pass
legislation.legislation.
Each province has a govenor, and a council of ministersEach province has a govenor, and a council of ministers
headed by a chief minister appointed by the govenor and aheaded by a chief minister appointed by the govenor and a
provincial assembly.provincial assembly.
7. Who’s who in Pakistan’s Government Today:Who’s who in Pakistan’s Government Today:
President: Asif Ali Zadari
Prime Minister: Yousaf Rasa Gilani
Chairman of the Senate: Farooq Hamid Naek
8. 97% of all Pakistanis are Muslims.97% of all Pakistanis are Muslims.
77% of the population are Sunni Muslims.77% of the population are Sunni Muslims.
20% are adherents of Shia Islam.20% are adherents of Shia Islam.
Christians, Hindus and other religions make up only 1%.Christians, Hindus and other religions make up only 1%.
The central belief of Islam is that there is one God, Allah and theThe central belief of Islam is that there is one God, Allah and the
prophet, Mohammed is his final messenger.prophet, Mohammed is his final messenger.
Islam is derived from the Judeo-Christian tradition and considersIslam is derived from the Judeo-Christian tradition and considers
Abraham and Jesus as prophets.Abraham and Jesus as prophets.
The Islamic religion recognizes both the Old & New Testaments.The Islamic religion recognizes both the Old & New Testaments.
9. Religion continued…Religion continued…
The Quran is the holy scripture of Islam and isThe Quran is the holy scripture of Islam and is
recognized as the holy word of God.recognized as the holy word of God.
The Muslim people follow the Five Pillars:The Muslim people follow the Five Pillars:
1. Shahada: (testimony) “There is no god but God, and1. Shahada: (testimony) “There is no god but God, and
Mohammad is his Prophet.”Mohammad is his Prophet.”
2. Salat: Mulims must pray five times a day.2. Salat: Mulims must pray five times a day.
3. Zakat: The obligation to provide alms for the poor and3. Zakat: The obligation to provide alms for the poor and
disadvantaged.disadvantaged.
4. Sawm: The obligation to fast from sunrise to sunset4. Sawm: The obligation to fast from sunrise to sunset
during Ramadan.during Ramadan.
5. Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca, this must be done at5. Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca, this must be done at
least once in an adult Muslim’s lifetime. The pilgrimageleast once in an adult Muslim’s lifetime. The pilgrimage
occurs during the last month of the Muslim lunaroccurs during the last month of the Muslim lunar
calender.calender.
10. Women in PakistanWomen in Pakistan
Pakistani women are considered subordinate to men.Pakistani women are considered subordinate to men.
A women’s actions are held responsible for the reputation ofA women’s actions are held responsible for the reputation of
the family.the family.
Women are allowed only limited mobility and contact with theWomen are allowed only limited mobility and contact with the
opposite sex so they do not dishonor their families.opposite sex so they do not dishonor their families.
Women live under the constraints of veiling.Women live under the constraints of veiling.
Women spend most of their lives in their homes and can onlyWomen spend most of their lives in their homes and can only
go out for serious and approved reasons.go out for serious and approved reasons.
If a women has a small job their income is credited to theirIf a women has a small job their income is credited to their
husband or man of the house.husband or man of the house.
11. MediaMedia
The major news agencies in Pakistan are the Associated PressThe major news agencies in Pakistan are the Associated Press
of Pakistan and Pakistan Press International.of Pakistan and Pakistan Press International.
The Government took over The Associated Press of Pakistan inThe Government took over The Associated Press of Pakistan in
1960.1960.
Radio is an effective method for spreading news in PakistanRadio is an effective method for spreading news in Pakistan
because the literacy rate is not as high as it is in countries likebecause the literacy rate is not as high as it is in countries like
the United States.the United States.
The Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation spreads informationThe Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation spreads information
about government policy and promotes Islamic principles.about government policy and promotes Islamic principles.
By the mid 1990’s television reached 80% of the PakistanBy the mid 1990’s television reached 80% of the Pakistan
population.population.
12. Media continued…Media continued…
Until 1990 the government owned Pakistan TelevisionUntil 1990 the government owned Pakistan Television
Corporation was the only channel available. PTV thenCorporation was the only channel available. PTV then
bought Cable News Network (CNN) to Pakistan.bought Cable News Network (CNN) to Pakistan.
The government owned t.v channels and newspapersThe government owned t.v channels and newspapers
show ideas from the governments view point.show ideas from the governments view point.
There are a lot of restrictions in the media, frequentlyThere are a lot of restrictions in the media, frequently
controversial songs are banned from the radio.controversial songs are banned from the radio.
The government required women to wear scarves overThe government required women to wear scarves over
their heads during newscasts and other television shows.their heads during newscasts and other television shows.
13. EducationEducation
Education is Pakistan is very poor.Education is Pakistan is very poor.
The government only sets aside 3%of the annual budget forThe government only sets aside 3%of the annual budget for
education.education.
There are three types of schools: Private for the wealthy, Public whichThere are three types of schools: Private for the wealthy, Public which
is government run, and Religious schools.is government run, and Religious schools.
The government run schools do not teach English and many of themThe government run schools do not teach English and many of them
exist only on paper.exist only on paper.
Many poor families try to send their children to Private schools forMany poor families try to send their children to Private schools for
the public ones are so terrible.the public ones are so terrible.
The Pakistani government estimates the literacy rate of Pakistan to beThe Pakistani government estimates the literacy rate of Pakistan to be
at 47% but outside spectators beg to differ claiming the rate must beat 47% but outside spectators beg to differ claiming the rate must be
around 20%.around 20%.
14. Top Stories inTop Stories in
PakistanPakistan
TodayToday
Flour Giveaway in Pakistan Turns Into DeadlyFlour Giveaway in Pakistan Turns Into Deadly
Stampede. (CNN) 18 women are dead after a mobStampede. (CNN) 18 women are dead after a mob
scene broke out at a flour giveaway in Karachi.scene broke out at a flour giveaway in Karachi.
US Missile Strike Kills Four in Pakistan (LA Times).US Missile Strike Kills Four in Pakistan (LA Times).
An unmanned US plane fired a missile and hit aAn unmanned US plane fired a missile and hit a
moving car killing four citizens of Pakistan by themoving car killing four citizens of Pakistan by the
Afgan border.Afgan border.
Pakistan Army Said to Be Linked to Swat KillingsPakistan Army Said to Be Linked to Swat Killings
(NY Times). Hundreds of dead bodies are being(NY Times). Hundreds of dead bodies are being
dumped onto the streets locals and politiciansdumped onto the streets locals and politicians
believe it to be the work of the army because of theirbelieve it to be the work of the army because of their
desire to “silence any enthusiasm of Talibandesire to “silence any enthusiasm of Taliban
supporters.supporters.
15. Pakistan and the Millennium DevelopmentPakistan and the Millennium Development
GoalsGoals
Here is the progress Pakistan has made in reaching the Millennium Development Goals:
-Nearly 1.4 million children have been enrolled in primary school.
-9,121 community based schools have been established.
-1.4 million women have been trained different techniques to save children from
dehydration.
-300,000 women and children have received vaccinations.
-9,000 adult literacy centers have been established.
-Volunteers from more than 30,000 villages have been enlisted to help support human
development at the grassroots level.
This information was found on the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals
Website.