Islāmī Jumhūrīyah Pākistān Islamic Republic of Pakistan: Motto: مکحم نيقي ،ميظنت ،داحتا

Islāmī Jumhūrīyah Pākistān
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Flag
State Emblem
Motto: ‫ يقين محکم‬،‫ تنظيم‬،‫اتحاد‬

Ittehad, Tanzim, Yaqeen-e-Muhkam (Urdu)
"Unity, Discipline and Faith"
Anthem: "Qaumi Tarana"
Islamabad
Capital
33°40′N, 73°10′E
Largest city Karachi
Official languages Urdu (national), English (official)[1]
Recognised Balochi, Pashto, Punjabi, Siraiki,

regional languages Sindhi[2]
Demonym Pakistani
Government Islamic Republic
- President Pervez Musharraf
- Prime Minister Muhammad Mian Soomro
Formation
- Independence from the United Kingdom
- Declared 14 August 1947
- Islamic republic 23 March 1956
Area
880,940 km² (36th)

- Total
340,403 sq mi
- Water (%) 3.1
Population
- 2007 estimate 161,488,000[3][4] (6th)
206/km² (53rd)
- Density
534/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2007 estimate
- Total US$465.4 billion [5] (26th)
- Per capita US$2,943 (128th)
Gini (2002) 30.6 (medium)
HDI (2007) 0.551 (medium) (136th)
Currency Rupee (Rs.) (PKR)

Time zone PST (UTC+5)
- Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+6)
Internet TLD .pk
Calling code +92
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan)
Politics of Pakistan
Pakistan
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Pakistan)
In recent history, the Pakistani political processess have taken place in the
framework of a federal republic, where the system of government has at times been
parliamentary, presidential, or semi-presidential. In the current semi-presidential
system, the President of Pakistan is the head of state, the Prime Minister is head of
government, and there is a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is
exercised by the government. Legislative power is largely vested in the Parliament.
Executive branch
Main office holders
Office Name Party Since
President Pervez Musharraf - 20 June 2001
Prime Minister Muhammad Mian Soomro PMLQ 15 November 2007
Pakistan has been under the influence of its military almost since it was founded
(see Establishment (Pakistan) ). The Intelligence agencies have a huge role in the
politics since the beginning in making and breaking the political parties. The
president, in keeping with the constitutional provision that the state religion is Islam,
must be a Muslim. Elected for a five-year term by an Electoral College consisting of
members of the Senate and National Assembly and members of the provincial
assemblies, the president is eligible for reelection. But no individual may hold the
office for more than two consecutive terms. The president may resign or be
impeached and may be removed from office for incapacity or gross misconduct by a
two-thirds vote of the members of the parliament. The president generally acts on
the advice of the prime minister but has important residual powers. One of the most
important--a legacy of Zia--is contained in the Eighth Amendment which gives the
president the power to dissolve the National Assembly "in his discretion where, in his
opinion . . . a situation has arisen in which the Government of the Federation cannot
be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and an appeal to
the electorate is necessary." The Thirteenth Amendment which was passed in 1997,
revoked this power. In December 2003, the President's power was partially restored
by the Seventeenth Amendment. In April 2004, the Presidency's influence was
augmented by an Act of Parliament that established the National Security Council, a
body chaired by the President.
The prime minister is appointed by the members of the National Assembly through a
vote. The prime minister is assisted by the Federal Cabinet, a council of ministers
whose members are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister.
The Federal Cabinet comprises the ministers, ministers of state, and advisers. As of
early 1994, there were thirty-three ministerial portfolios: commerce; communications;
culture; defense; defense production; education; environment; finance and economic
affairs; food and agriculture; foreign affairs; health; housing; information and
broadcasting; interior; Kashmiri affairs and Northern Areas; law and justice; local
government; minority affairs; narcotics control; parliamentary affairs; petroleum and
natural resources production; planning and development; railroads; religious affairs;
science and technology; social welfare; special education; sports; state and frontier
regions; tourism; water and power; women's development; and youth affairs.
Legislative Branch
The bicameral federal legislature consists of the Senate (upper house) and National
Assembly (lower house). According to Article 50 of the Constitution, the National
Assembly, the Senate and the President together make up a body known as the
Majlis-i-Shoora (Council of Advisers).
Pakistan's democracy has no recall method. However, past governments have been
dismissed for corruption by the President's invocation of Article 58 of the
Constitution. The President's power to dismiss the Prime Minister and dissolve the
National Assembly was removed by the Thirteenth Amendment and partially
restored by the Seventeenth Amendment.
Parliament House of Pakistan
Senate
The Senate is a permanent legislative body with equal representation from each of
the four provinces, elected by the members of their respective provincial assemblies.
There are representatives from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and from
Islamabad Capital Territory. The chairman of the Senate, under the constitution, is
next in line to act as president should the office become vacant and until such time
as a new president can be formally elected. Both the Senate and the National
Assembly can initiate and pass legislation except for finance bills. Only the National
Assembly can approve the federal budget and all finance bills. In the case of other
bills, the president may prevent passage unless the legislature in joint sitting
overrules the president by a majority of members of both houses present and voting.
Unlike the National Assembly, the Senate cannot be dissolved by the President.
National Assembly
Members of the National Assembly are elected by universal adult suffrage (over
twenty-one years of age in Pakistan but seventeenth amendment has changed it
now to eighteen years of age.). Seats are allocated to each of the four provinces, the
Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and Islamabad Capital Territory on the basis of
population. National Assembly members serve for the parliamentary term, which is
five years, unless they die or resign sooner, or unless the National Assembly is
dissolved. Although the vast majority of the members are Muslim, about 5 percent of
the seats are reserved for minorities, including Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs.
Elections for minority seats are held on the basis of separate electorates at the
same time as the polls for Muslim seats during the general elections. There are also
50+ special seats for women now, and women are selected (i.e. not directly elected
in the general election but given representation according to how their parties
performed in the general election) on these seat by their party head: another
seventeenth amendment innovation.
Political parties and elections

For other political parties see List of political parties in Pakistan. An overview on
elections and election results is included in Elections in Pakistan.
Composition of parliament
Composition of the Pakistan Senate after February 2003 elections
Party Initials Seats
Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam) PML/Q 40
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan MMA 21
Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians PPPP 11

Muttahida Qaumi Movement MQM 6
Pakistan Muslim League (N) PML/N 4
National Alliance NAP 3
Pakhtun-khwa Milli Awami Party PkMAP 2
Awami National Party ANP 2
Pakistan Peoples Party (Sherpao) PPP/S 2
Pakistan Muslim League (Functional Group) PML/F 1
Jamhoori Wattan Party (Republican National Party) JWP 1
Balochistan National Party-Awami BNP-Awami 1
Balochistan National Party-Mengal BNP-Mengal 1
BNM/H 1
Independents 4
Summary of the October 2002 National Assembly elections
% of popular vote Seats
Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam) 25.7 126
Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians 25.8 81
11.3 63
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan
 Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (Islamic Assembly)
 Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Assembly of Islamic Clergy)
 Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (Assembly of Pakistani Clergy)
 Tehrik-e-Islami (Movement for Islam)
Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Sharif) 9.4 19
Muttahida Qaumi Movement 3.1 17
National Alliance 4.6 16
 Sindh Democratic Alliance
 Millat Party
 Others
Pakistan Muslim League (Functional Group) 1.1 5
Pakistan Muslim League (Junejo) 0.7 3
Pakistan Peoples Party (Sherpao) 0.3 2
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf 0.8 1

Pakistan Awami Tehrik (Pakistan People's Movement} 0.7 1
Jamhoori Wattan Party (Republican National Party) 0.3 1
Pakistan Muslim League (Zia-ul-Haq Shaheed) 0.3 1
Pakistan Democratic Party 0.3 1
Balochistan National Party 0.2 1
Awami National Party 1.0 -
Pakhtun-khwa Milli Awami Party - 1
Independents - 3
Non-partisans (most joined one of the above parties) 14.1 21*
Female elected members (included in party seats above) . 60*
Minorities (included in party seats above) . 10*
Total (turnout 41.8 %) 342
Source: Pakistan Electoral Commission & CIA Factbook
* Not included in total. Except for three independents, most of these are included in the party-seat numbers
Judicial branch
The judiciary includes the Supreme Court, provincial high courts, and other lesser
courts exercising civil and criminal jurisdiction.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Pakistan, Islamabad
The Supreme Court has original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction. The Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court is appointed by the president; the other Supreme
Court judges are appointed by the president after consultation with the chief justice.
The chief justice and judges of the Supreme Court may remain in office until age
sixty-five: now 68 years and this is also another clause of seventeenth amendment.
Provincial & High Courts

Judges of the provincial high courts are appointed (The seventeenth amendment
give these powers to the president, previously Prime minister exercised them) by the
president after consultation with the chief justice of the Supreme Court, as well as
the governor of the province and the chief justice of the high court to which the
appointment is being made. High courts have original and appellate jurisdiction.
There is also a Federal Shariat Court consisting of eight Muslim judges, including a
chief justice appointed by the president. Three of the judges are ulama, that is,
Islamic Scholars, and are well versed in Islamic law. The Federal Shariat Court has
original and appellate jurisdiction. This court decides whether any law is repugnant
to the injunctions of Islam. When a law is deemed repugnant to Islam, the president,
in the case of a federal law, or the governor, in the case of a provincial law, is
charged with taking steps to bring the law into conformity with the injunctions of
Islam. The court also hears appeals from decisions of criminal courts under laws
relating to the enforcement of hudud (see Glossary) laws that is, laws pertaining to
such offenses as intoxication, theft, and unlawful sexual intercourse.
In addition, there are special courts and tribunals to deal with specific kinds of cases,
such as drug courts, commercial courts, labor courts, traffic courts, an insurance
appellate tribunal, an income tax appellate tribunal, and special courts for bank
offenses. There are also special courts to try terrorists. Appeals from special courts
go to high courts except for labor and traffic courts, which have their own forums for
appeal. Appeals from the tribunals go to the Supreme Court.
Mohtasib
A further feature of the judicial system is the office of Mohtasib (Ombudsman), which
is provided for in the constitution. The office of Mohtasib was established in many
early Muslim states to ensure that no wrongs were done to citizens. Appointed by
the president, the Mohtasib holds office for four years; the term cannot be extended
or renewed. The Mohtasib's purpose is to institutionalize a system for enforcing
administrative accountability, through investigating and rectifying any injustice done
to a person through maladministration by a federal agency or a federal government
official. The Mohtasib is empowered to award compensation to those who have
suffered loss or damage as a result of maladministration. Excluded from jurisdiction,
however, are personal grievances or service matters of a public servant as well as
matters relating to foreign affairs, national defense, and the armed services. This
institution is designed to bridge the gap between administrator and citizen, to
improve administrative processes and procedures, and to help curb misuse of
discretionary powers.
Political background
Pakistan has been ruled by both democratic and military governments.[1] The first
decade was marred with political unrest and instability resulting in frequent collapses
of civilian democratic governments. From 1947 to 1958 as many as seven Prime
Ministers of Pakistan either resigned or were ousted. This political instability paved
the way for Pakistan’s first military take over. On October 7th 1958 Pakistan’s civilian
and first President Iskander Mirza in collaboration with General Mohammad Ayub
Khan abrogated Pakistan’s constitution and declared Martial Law.
General Ayub Khan was the president from 1958 to 1969, and General Yahya Khan
from 1969 to 1971, with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as the first civilian martial law
administrator. Civilian, yet autocratic, rule continued from 1972 to 1977 under
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, but he was deposed by General Zia-Ul-Haq. General Zia was
killed in a plane crash in 1988, after which Benazir Bhutto, daughter of Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto, was elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was the youngest
woman ever to be elected the Head of Government and the first woman to be
elected as the Head of Government of a Muslim country. Her government was
followed by that of Nawaz Sharif, and the two leaders alternated until the military
coup by General Pervez Musharraf in 1999. Since the resignation of President Rafiq
Tarar in 2001, Musharraf has been the President of Pakistan.
Nation-wide parliamentary elections were held in October 2002, with the PML-Q
winning a plurality of seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan, and Zafarullah
Khan Jamali of that party emerging as Prime Minister. Jamali resigned on June 26,
2004. PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain became interim PM, and was
succeeded by Finance Minister and former Citibank Vice President Shaukat Aziz,
who was elected Prime Minister on August 27, 2004 by a National Assembly vote of
191 to 151.
The Pakistan's federal cabinet on April 12, 2006 decided that general elections
would be held after the completion of the assemblies constitutional term by the end
of 2007 or beginning of 2008. [1]
Form of Government
Officially a federal republic, Pakistan has had a long history of alternating periods of
electoral democracy and authoritarian military government. Military presidents
include General Ayub Khan in the 1960s, General Zia ul Haq in the 1980s, and
General Pervez Musharraf from 1999. However, a majority of Pakistan's Heads of
State and Heads of Government have been elected civilian leaders. General
elections were held in October 2002. After monitoring the elections, the
Commonwealth Observer Group stated in conclusion:
We believe that on election day this was a credible election: the will of the
people was expressed and the results reflected their wishes. However, in the
context of various measures taken by the government we are not persuaded
of the overall fairness of the process as a whole. [2]
On May 22, 2004, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group re-admitted
Pakistan into the Commonwealth, formally acknowledging its progress in
returning to democracy.
Provincial Governments
The subdivisions of Pakistan
Pakistan is subdivided into 4 provinces, 1 territory, and 1 capital territory. Each

province has a Provincial Assembly, a directly-elected legislature. Members are
elected for five-year terms. Each Assembly elects a Chief Minister, who then
selects the ministers of his or her cabinet.
 Balochistan
 Federally Administered Tribal Areas*
 Islamabad Capital Territory**
 North-West Frontier Province
 Punjab
 Sindh
 Note; the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir

region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas.
Local Governments
Pakistan's provinces are divided into zillas ( counterpart to a county in US
or UK terminology). A zilla is further subdivided into tehsils (roughly
equivalent to a borough in an integrated multi-tier (federated) systemic
context, such as the one to be found in Montreal (Canada, 2002) and
Birmingham (UK, 2001 announcement) or known as arondissements in
French context. Tehsils may contain villages or municipalities. Pakistan's
system is the one that applies an integrated federated systemic framework
most comprehensively, so far.
This methodology is not new to the region, as it is similar to what is referred
to as the Panchayat Raj system in India that was introduced by Britain
(which was first nation (1890s) to adapt revolutionary Paris (1790)
framework to implement a 3-tier rural version (county, district, parish
councils) by grafting the 2-tier Paris framework on pre-existing parish
councils and urban context (London)) during colonial era. In India it was
implemented in some regions and not others; and then allowed to lie fallow.
It got new life after the very successful West Bengal revival in the 1970s,
which eventually inspired the 1990s Constitutional Amendment making it
national policy.
The main difference is that Pakistan is the only country with an urban
framework, as well, in the region today; and Pakistan's system has
common-representational framework between tiers (as Montreal and
Birmingham also have in 2-tier context--even though Birmingham is working
on implementing a 3- tier system); and, it has a bottom-up representational
framework like the Canadian example. Pakistan had the only 3-tier
integrated bottom-up common-representational local government system,
until it was adapted for another country in 2003. UK, the country which first
introduced this methodology in the region, also has the urban examples of
London and Birmingham (being implemented in Post- 2001 era by building
on steps first introduced in 1980s); as does France (where largest cities and
smaller units have created such frameworks either by devolution (Marseilles
and Lyon, in addition to Paris) or by integration of neighboring units (such
as the Nantes region pursuant to the Marcellin Act of 1970s); and, Canada.
This methodology is being increasingly adapted, as it delivers greater
systemic productivity, being a more inclusive framework that provides
greater regional integration. In the US, the 7 county Twin Cities (MN)
regional system and Portland (OR) Metro are both the most integrated US
examples;but, also those often cited in the US for what they have achieved.
These US examples- with their multi-county framework- are similar to what
is in place in France after regional unit introduction (making France have a
3-tier systemic framework also in the Commune (municipal/lowest tier local
unit), Department(county), Regional unit context). Multi-county frameworks
are suitable for a very surburbanized system like the US. After France and
Britain, the Indian colony of Britain was the third region to see this
methodology implemented.
There are over five thousand local governments in Pakistan. Since 2001,
the vast majority of these have been led by democratically elected local
councils, each headed by a Nazim (mayor or supervisor.) Council elections
are held every four years.
Foreign relations
The Map of Pakistan
Pakistan is the second largest Muslim country in terms of population, and

its status as a declared nuclear power, being the only Muslim nation to have
that status, plays a part in its international role. It is also an active member
of the United Nations. Historically, its foreign policy has encompassed
difficult relations with India, a desire for a stable Afghanistan, long-standing
close relations with the People's Republic of China, extensive security and
economic interests in the Persian Gulf and wide-ranging bilateral relations
with the United States and other Western countries. Pakistan is also an
important member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
Pakistan has used the OIC as a forum for Enlightened Moderation[2], its plan
to promote a renaissance and enlightenment in the Islamic world.
Wary of Soviet expansion, Pakistan had strong relations with both the
United States of America and the People's Republic of China during much
of the Cold War. It was a member of the CENTO and SEATO military
alliances. Its alliance with the United States was especially close after the
Soviets invaded the neighboring country of Afghanistan.
In 1964, Pakistan signed the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD)
Pact with Turkey and Iran, when all three countries were closely allied with
the U.S., and as neighbors of the Soviet Union, wary of perceived Soviet
expansionism. To this day, Pakistan has a close relationship with Turkey.
RCD became defunct after the Iranian Revolution, and a Pakistani-Turkish
initiative led to the founding of the Economic Cooperation Organisation
(ECO) in 1985. Pakistan's relations with India have improved recently and
this has opened up Pakistan's foreign policy to issues beyond security. This
development might completely change the complexion of Pakistan's foreign
relations.
Pakistan joined the Non-Aligned Movement in 1979.
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

• Preamble
• Part I: Introductory [Articles 1-6]
• Part II: Fundamental Rights and Principles of Policy [Articles 7-40]
o Chapter 1: Fundamental Rights [Articles 8-28]
o Chapter 2: Principles of Policy [Articles 29-40]
• Part III: The Federation of Pakistan [Articles 41-100]
o Chapter 1: The President [Articles 41-49]
o Chapter 2: Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) [Articles 50-89]
o Chapter 3: The Federal Government [Articles 90-100]
• Part IV: Provinces [Articles 101-140]
o Chapter 1: The Governors [Articles 101-105]
o Chapter 2: Provincial Assemblies [Articles 106-128]
o Chapter 3: The Provincial Governments [Articles 129-140]
• Part V: Relations between Federation and Provinces [Articles 141-159]
o Chapter 1: Distribution of Legislative Powers [Articles 141-142]
o Chapter 2: Administrative Relations between the Federation and Provinces [Articles 145-152]
o Chapter 3: Special Provisions [Articles 152A-159]
• Part VI: Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits [Articles 160-174]
o Chapter 1: Finance [Articles 160-165A]
o Chapter 2: Borrowing and Audit [Articles 166-171]
o Chapter 3: Property, Contracts, Liabilities and Suits [Articles 172-174]
• Part VII: The Judicature [Articles 175-212B]
o Chapter 1: The Courts [Article 175]
o Chapter 2: The Supreme Court of Pakistan [Articles 176-191]
o Chapter 3: The High Courts [Articles 192-203]
o Chapter 3A: Federal Shariat Court [Articles 203A-203J]
o Chapter 4: General Provisions Relating to the Judicature [Articles 204-212B]
• Part VIII: Elections [Articles 213-226]
o Chapter 1: Chief Election Commissioner and Elections Commissions [Articles 213-221]
o Chapter 2: Electoral Laws and Conduct of Elections [Articles 222-226]
• Part IX: Islamic Provisions [Articles 227-231]
• Part X: Emergency Provisions [Articles 232-237]
• Part XI: Amendment of Constitution [Articles 238-239]
• Part XII: Miscellaneous [Articles 240-280]
o Chapter 1: Services [Articles 240-242]
o Chapter 2: Armed Forces [Articles 243-245]
o Chapter 3: Tribal Areas [Articles 246-247]
o Chapter 4: General [Articles 248-259]
o Chapter 5: Interpretation [Articles 260-264]
o Chapter 6: Title, Commencement and Repeal [Articles 265-266]
o Chapter 7: Transitional [Articles 267-280]
Amendments in the Constitution 1973 of The Islamic Republic

of Pakistan
(Source: http://www.nrb.gov.pk/constitutional_and_legal/constitution/)
Table of Contents
ACTS
o The Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1974

o The Constitution (Second Amendment) Act, 1974
o The Constitution (Third Amendment) Act, 1975
o The Constitution (Fourth Amendment) Act, 1975
o The Constitution (Fifth Amendment) Act, 1976
o The Constitution (Sixth Amendment) Act, 1976
o The Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1977
o The Constitution (Eighth Amendment) Act, 1985
o The Constitution (Ninth Amendment) Bill, 1986
o The Constitution (Tenth Amendment) Act, 1987
o The Constitution (Eleventh Amendment) Bill, 1989
o The Constitution (Twelfth Amendment) Act, 1991
o The Constitution (Thirteenth Amendment) Act, 1997
o The Constitution (Fourteenth Amendment) Act, 1997
ORDERS [ Download PDF ]
o The Constitution (Amendment) Order, 1979

o The Constitution (Second Amendment) Order, 1979
o The Constitution ( Amendment) Order, 1980
o The Constitution (Third Amendment) Order, 1980
o The Constitution (Fourth Amendment) Order, 1980
o The Constitution ( Amendment) Order, 1985
o The Revival of the Constitution of 1973 Order, 1985
TEXT OF AMENDATORY ACTS AND ORDERS
o The Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1974

o The Constitution (Second Amendment) Act, 1974
o The Constitution (Third Amendment) Act, 1975
o The Constitution (Fourth Amendment) Act, 1975
o The Constitution (Fifth Amendment) Act, 1976
o The Constitution (Sixth Amendment) Act, 1976
o The Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1977
o The Constitution (Eighth Amendment) Act, 1985
o The Constitution (Ninth Amendment) Bill, 1986
o The Constitution (Tenth Amendment) Act, 1987
o The Constitution (Eleventh Amendment) Bill, 1989
o The Constitution (Twelfth Amendment) Act, 1991
o The Constitution (Thirteenth Amendment) Act, 1997
o The Constitution (Fourteenth Amendment) Act, 1997
o The Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act, 1999
o The Constitution (Fifteenth Amendment) Bill, 1998
o The Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Bill, 1999
o The Revival of the Constitution of 1973 Order, 1985
o Text of Accord on Constitution
o Report of the Constitution Committee
Relationships
Sino-Pak Relations
Pakistani major English language newspapers Thursday highly evaluated Premier Wen Jiabao's ongoing
visit and the current bilateral ties, saying it opens a new chapter in the traditional and friendly Sino-Pak
relations.
In a long editorial titled "A New Chapter in Relations," Pakistan's most widely circulated
paper Dawn said even though friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and China in
economic and security matters are decades old, the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and
Good-Neighborly Relations takes their relationship to a higher stage.
It quoted Premier Wen Jiabao as saying that the treaty signed in Islamabad on Tuesday
marks "a new stage in Sino-Pak friendship." Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz struck a similar
note when he said the treaty "institutionalizes the broad-based and multi-faceted
relationship" between the two countries.
From a modest beginning in 1955, when Mohammed Ali, then Pakistani prime minister, and
the late Premier Zhou Enlai developed an understanding, the Sino-Pak relations have come a
long way, said the paper.
It stressed that Pakistan and China present a model of meaningful friendship and cooperation
to the world. Both have gained immensely from this relationship, and there is no doubt that
the future will bring them even closer.
In an editorial titled "From 'Traditional Friend' to Partner," newspaper The News said the
Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good-Neighborly Relations concluded on Tuesday on
the arrival of Premier Wen in Islamabad is sufficient to show how momentous the
development is for the two countries: the two sides didn't wait until today to let the
ceremony crown the landmark visit on its last day.
Not only do the agreements signed by the two sides deepen the Sino-Pak economic and
military cooperation, their numerous other outcomes in the civilian field will range from
energy development, agriculture and mineral development to such factors in the social sector
as education and housing.
"It's time that the Pakistanis change their basic perception of China to more mature and
realistic -- from its being a selfless 'traditional friend' to a useful strategic partner," said the
paper.
The Nation, in its editorial, said as expected, the Chinese premier's visit has started off on a
very encouraging note. Following Wen and Aziz's meeting on the first day of the three-day
official tour, 22 agreements were signed to boost cooperation in defense, political relations,
trade and economic areas.
The Islamabad-Beijing relationship is one of mutual dependence, with Pakistan providing

real benefits. Their joint ventures in technology, like the just launched JF-17 Thunder
aircraft project, are indeed a "giant step forward," said the paper.
President Pervez Musharraf, The Nation stressed, is justified in laying emphasis on taking
ties with China to new highs. His assertion is true that this phenomenal friendship will lead
to several benefits including acquisition of technology, self-reliance capability and
enrichment of growth. Therefore, things are set to go from good to better.
Indo-Pakistani relations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pakistan-India relations
Pakistan
India
Plagued by years of suspicion and hatred, relations between Pakistan and India are
slowly starting to improve
Indo-Pakistani relations are grounded in the historical, geographic,

demographic and economic links between the Republic of India and the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan, two of the largest countries in South Asia. The two
countries share much of their common histories, culture, languages, and
religion; yet the diplomatic relations between the two are defined by numerous
military conflicts and territorial disputes.
Much of South Asia came under direct control of Great Britain in the late 18th
century. The British Raj over the Indian subcontinent lasted for almost two
centuries. 95% of the people living in South Asia practised either Hinduism or
Islam. The Muslim League, headed by Jinnah, proposed the Two Nation Theory
in the early 20th century. According to the theory, Hindus and Muslims shared
little in common and India should be divided into countries, one for the Muslims
and the other for the non-Muslims. The campaign gained momentum in early
1940s and by the end of World War II, India's partition looked inevitable. The
Partition of India created two countries, India and the Pakistan. Pakistan
received independence from Britain on August 14, 1947, and India achieved
independence on August 15, 1947. Soon after Independence, India and
Pakistan established diplomatic relations. However, the friendly atmosphere
between the two countries was short-lived. There has been a marked
improvement in bilateral relations between the two neighbours during the past
couple of years.
Seeds of conflict
The partition of the India was a bad affair. Millions of Hindus and Muslims were
killed in communal riots following the partition. Millions of Muslims living in India
and Hindus and Sikhs living in Pakistan emigrated in one of the most colossal
transfers of population in the modern age. Both countries accused each other of
not providing adequate security to the minorities emigrating through their
territory. This served to increase tensions between the newly-born countries.
According to the British plan for the partition of India, all the 680 princely states
were allowed to decide which of the two countries to join. With the exception of a
few, most of the Hindu-majority princely-states acceded to the Union of India
while most of the Muslim-majority princely states joined Pakistan. However, the
decisions of some of the princely-states would shape the Indo-Pakistani
relationship for years to come.
[edit] Junagadh dispute
Junagadh is one of the modern districts of Saurastra, Gujarat
Junagadh was a state on the southwestern end of Gujarat, with the principalities
of Manavadar, Mangrol and Babriawad. The Arabian Sea stood between it and
Pakistan. The state had an overwhelming Hindu population who consituted more
than 80% of it's citizens, whilst the ruler of the state was a Muslim. On August 15
1947 the ruler of the state Nawab of Junagarh Manabhar Khanji acceded to
Pakistan. Pakistan confirmed the acceptance of the accession in September
1947. India did not accept the accession as legitimate.
The Indian point of view was that since Junagarh was a state with a
predominantly Hindu population it should be a part of India. Additionally, since
the state was encircled by Indian territory it should have been a part of India.
Indian politicians also stated that by giving Pakistan a predominantly Hindu
region to govern the basis of the two nation theory was contradicted.
The Pakistani point of view was that since Junagarh had a ruler who chose to
accede to Pakistan he should be allowed to do so. Junagarh, having a coastline
could have maintained maritime links with Pakistan. Additionally, Pakistani
politicians stated that the two nation theory did not necessarily mean a clear
division of land and absolute transfer of populations as the sheer magnitude of
such a proceeding would wreack havoc upon countless millions.
Needless to say, neither of the two states were able to resolve this issue
amicably and it only added fuel to an already charged environment.
Sardar Patel, India's then Defence Minister, felt that if Junagadh was permitted
to go to Pakistan, it would create communal unrest across Gujarat. The
government of India gave Pakistan time to void the accession and hold a
plebiscite in Junagadh to pre empt any violence in Gujarat. Samaldas Gandhi
formed a government-in-exile, the Arzi Hukumat (in Urdu: Arzi: Transitional,
Hukumat: Government) of the people of Junagarh. Patel ordered the annexation
of Junagarh's three principalities. Junagarh, facing financial collapse, first invited
the Arzi Hukumat, and later the Government of India to accept the reins of
power.
[edit] Kashmir dispute
Kashmir was Muslim-majority princely state, ruled by a Hindu, Hari Singh. The
Maharaja of Kashmir was equally hesitant to join either India — he felt his mostly
Muslim subjects would not like joining a Hindu-majority nation — or Pakistan —
which as a Hindu he was personally averse to. Pakistan coveted the Himalayan
kingdom, while Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi and Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru
hoped that the kingdom would join India. Hari Singh signed a Standstill
Agreement (preserving status quo) with Pakistan, but did not make his decision
by August 15, 1947.
Rumours spread in Pakistan that Hari Singh was trying to accede Kashmir to
India. Eager to bring Kashmir under its control, Pakistan decided to take
Kashmir by force. Backed by Pakistani paramilitary forces, Pashtun tribal
warlords invaded Kashmir in September 1947. Kashmir's security forces were ill-
equipped to fight against Pakistan. Troubled by the deteriorating law and order
situation in Kashmir, the Maharaja Hari Singh asked for India's help. However,
the Constitution of India barred the Indian Armed Forces intervention since
Kashmir did not come under India's jurisdiction. Desperate to get India's help,
the Maharaja acceded Kashmir to India and signed the Instrument of Accession.
[1]
By this time the raiders were close to the capital, Srinagar. On October 27,
1947, the Indian Air Force airlifted Indian troops into Srinagar. Indian troops
secured Jammu, Srinagar and the Kashmir valley itself, but the intense fighting
flagged with the onset of winter, which made much of the state impassable. After
weeks of intense fighting between India and Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister
Nehru declared a ceasefire and sought U.N. arbitration with the promise of a
plebiscite. Sardar Patel had argued against both, describing Kashmir as a
bilateral dispute and its accession as justified by international law. Patel had
feared that the U.N.'s involvement would stall the process and allow Pakistan to
reinforce its presence in Kashmir. In 1957, Kashmir was fully integrated into the
Union of India and the state of Jammu and Kashmir was created. The
northwestern portion that remained under control of the Pakistan army is today
Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In 1962, China occupied Aksai Chin, the
northeastern region bordering Ladakh. In 1984, India launched Operation
Meghdoot and captured more than 80% of the Siachen Glacier.
India maintains that the Maharaja's decision, which was the norm for every other
princely state at the time of independence, and subsequent elections, for over
40 years, in Kashmir have made it an integral part of India. Pakistan asserts
Kashmiris' rights to self-determination through a plebiscite in accordance with an
earlier Indian statement and a UN resolution. Pakistan also maintains that by
India's own logic regarding Junagadh (that the Hindu majority state should have
gone to India even though it had a Muslim ruler), that Kashmir should rightfully
have become part of Pakistan or at the very least the promised plebiscite should
be allowed to decide the fate of the Kashmiri people. India however points to
Pakistan's failure to comply to the preconditions of the plebiscite including a
complete pullout of Pakistani troops from the area first. This dispute triggered
wars between the two countries in 1947 and 1965, and a limited conflict in 1999.
The state remains divided between the two countries by the Line of Control
(LoC), which demarcates the ceasefire line agreed upon in the 1947 conflict.
See also: Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, and
Kargil War
[edit] Other Territorial Disputes
Pakistan is locked in other territorial disputes with India such as the Siachin
glacier and Sir Creek. Pakistan is also currently having dialogue with India
regarding the Baglihar Dam being built over River Chenab in Indian-
administered Kashmir.
[edit] Bengal refugee crisis
In 1949, India recorded close to 1 million Hindu refugees flooded into West
Bengal and other states from East Pakistan, owing to communal violence,
intimidation and repression from Muslim authorities. The plight of the
refugees outraged Hindus and Indian nationalists, and the refugee
population drained the resources of Indian states, which were unable to
absorb them. While not ruling out war, Prime Minister Nehru and Sardar
Patel invited Liaquat Ali Khan for talks in Delhi. Although many Indians
termed this appeasement, Nehru signed a pact with Liaquat Ali Khan that
pledged both nations to the protection of minorities and creation of minority
commissions. Although opposed to the principle, Patel decided to back this
Pact for the sake of peace, and played a critical role in garnering support
from West Bengal and across India, and enforcing the provisions of the
Pact. Khan and Nehru also signed a trade agreement, and committed to
resolving bilateral disputes through peaceful means. Steadily, hundreds of
thousands of Hindus returned to East Pakistan, but the thaw in relations did
not last long, primarily owing to the Kashmir dispute.
[edit] 1971 War

Pakistan, since independence, was geo-politically divided into two major
regions, West Pakistan and East Pakistan. In December 1971, following a
political crisis in East Pakistan, the situation soon spiralled out of control in
East Pakistan and India intervened in favour of the rebelling Bengali
populace. The conflict, though brief, resulted in separation of East Pakistan.
Backed by the Mukti Bahini, the Indian Military swiftly defeated Pakistan,
forcing it to surrender and grant independence to East Pakistan, creating
Bangladesh.
See also: Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War
[edit] Shimla Agreement
Since the 1971 war, Pakistan and India have made only slow progress
towards the normalisation of relations. In July 1972, Indian Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto met in
the Indian hill station of Shimla. They signed the Shimla Agreement, by
which India would return all Pakistani personnel (over 90,000) and
captured territory in the west, and the two countries would "settle their
differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations."
Diplomatic and trade relations were re-established in 1976.
[edit] Afghanistan crisis

After the 1979 Soviet war in Afghanistan, new strains appeared in Indo-
Pakistani relations. Pakistan actively supported the Afghan resistance
against Soviet Union, a close ally of India. While Pakistan's ISI was
involved in anti-Soviet activity in Afghanistan, RAW, India's prime
intelligence organisation, tried to dismantle anti-Soviet forces in the
Afghan region.[citation needed]
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan was strongly supported by Pakistan -
one of the few countries to do so - before the September 11 attacks.
India, on the other hand, firmly opposed Taliban and criticised Pakistan
for supporting it.
[edit] Subsequent developments

In the following eight years, India voiced increasing concern over
Pakistani arms purchases, U.S. military aid to Pakistan, and a
clandestine Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme. In an effort to
curtail tensions, the two countries formed a joint commission to examine
disputes. In December 1988, Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Benazir
Bhutto concluded a pact not to attack each other's nuclear facilities.
Agreements on cultural exchanges and civil aviation were also initiated.
In 1997, high-level Indo-Pakistan talks resumed after a three-year
pause. The Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan met twice and the
foreign secretaries conducted three rounds of talks. In June 1997, the
foreign secretaries identified eight "outstanding issues" around which
continuing talks would be focused. The dispute over the status of
Kashmir, (referred by India as Jammu and Kashmir), an issue since
partition, remains the major stumbling block in their dialogue. India
maintains that the entire former princely state is an integral part of the
Indian union, while Pakistan insists that UN resolutions calling for self-
determination of the people of the state must be taken into account. It
however refuses to abide by the previous part of the resolution, which
calls for it to vacate all territories occupied.
In September 1997, the talks broke down over the structure of how to
deal with the issues of Kashmir, and peace and security. Pakistan
advocated that the issues be treated by separate working groups. India
responded that the two issues be taken up along with six others on a
simultaneous basis. In May 1998 India, and then Pakistan, conducted
nuclear tests.
[edit] Kashmiri insurgency
See also: Terrorism in Kashmir
[edit] Violent acts
[edit] Terrorist acts in Jammu and Kashmir
 Attack on Jammu & Kashmir State Assembly: A car bomb
exploded near the Jammu and Kashmir State Assembly on
October 1, 2001, killing 27 people on an attack that was blamed
on Kashmiri separatists. It was one of the most prominent
attacks against India apart from on the Indian Parliament in
December 2001. No Kashmiri government official was killed or
injured during the incident.[1]
 Wandhama Massacre: In January 1998, 24 Kashmiri Pandits
living in the city Wandhama were killed by Kashmiri terrorists.
According to the testimony of one of the survivors, the terrorists
dressed themselves as officers of the Indian Army, entered their
houses and then started firing blindly. The incident was
significant because it coincided with former US president Bill
Clinton's visit to India and New Delhi used the massacre to
present a case against the alleged Pakistan-supported terrorism
in Kashmir.[2]
 Sangrampora Killings: On March 22, 1997, 7 Kashmiri Pandits
were killed in Sangrampora village in the Budgam district.[3]
 Qasim Nagar Attack: On July 13, 2003, armed terrorists
believed to be a part of the Lashkar-e-Toiba threw hand
grenades at the Qasim Nagar market in Srinagar and then fired
on civilians standing nearby killing twenty-seven and injuring
many more.[4]
 Assassination of Abdul Ghani Lone: Abdul Ghani Lone, a
prominent All Party Hurriyat Conference leader, was
assassinated by unidentified gunmen during a memorial rally in
Srinagar. The assassination resulted in wide-scale
demonstrations against the Indian forces for failing to provide
enough security cover for Mr. Lone.[5]
 July 20, 2005 Srinagar Bombing: A car bomb exploded near an
armoured Indian Army vehicle in the famous Church Lane area
in Srinagar killing four Indian Army personnel, one civilian and
the suicide bomber. Terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen, claimed
responsibility for the attack.[6]
 Budshah Chowk attack: A terrorist attack on July 29, 2005 at
Srinigar's city centre, Budshah Chowk, killed two and left more
than 17 people injured. Most of those injured were media
journalists.[7]
 Murder of Ghulam Nabi Lone: On October 18, 2005 suspected
Kashmiri terrorists killed Jammu and Kashmir's then education
minister Ghulam Nabi Lone. Terrorist group Al Mansurin claimed
responsibility for the attack. [8]
[edit] Terrorist activities elsewhere

The attack on the Indian Parliament was by far the most prominent
attack carried out by Kashmiri terrorists outside Kashmir. India
blamed Pakistan for carrying out the attacks, an allegation which
Pakistan strongly denied and one that brought both nations to the
brink of a nuclear confrontation in 2001-02. However, international
peace efforts ensured the cooling of tensions between the two
nuclear-capable nations.
Apart from this, the most notable was the hijacking of Indian
Airlines Flight IC 814 en route New Delhi from Kathmandu, Nepal.
The plane was hijacked approximately one hour after take off and
was taken to Amritsar airport and then to Lahore in Pakistan. After
refueling the plane took off for Dubai and then finally landed in
Kandahar, Afghanistan. Under intense media pressure, New Delhi
complied with the hijackers' demand and freed Maulana Masood
Azhar from its captivity in return for the freedom of the Indian
passengers on the flight. The decision, however, cost New Delhi
dearly. Maulana, who is believed to be hiding in Karachi, later
became the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, an organisation which
has carried out several terrorist acts against Indian Security Forces
in Kashmir.[9]
On December 22, 2000, a group of terrorists belonging to the
Lashkar-e-Toiba stormed the famous Red Fort in New Delhi. The
Fort houses an Indian military unit and a high-security interrogation
cell used both by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Indian
Army. The terrorists successfully breached the security cover
around the Red Fort and opened fire at the Indian military
personnel on duty killing two of them on spot. The attack was
significant because it was carried out just two days after the
declaration of the cease-fire between India and Pakistan.[10]
Two Kashmiri terrorists belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammed raided the
Swami Narayan temple complex in Ahmedabad, Gujarat killing 30
people, including 18 women and five children. The attack was
carried out on September 25, 2002, just few days after state
elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir. Two identical letters
found on both the terrorists claimed that the attack was done in
retaliation for the deaths of thousands of Muslims during the
Gujarat riots.[11]
Two car bombs exploded in south Mumbai on August 25, 2003; one
near the Gateway of India and the other at the famous Zaveri
Bazaar, killing at least 48 and injuring 150 people. Though no
terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attacks, Mumbai Police
and RAW suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba's hand in the twin blasts.[12]
In an unsuccessful attempt, six terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-
Toiba, stormed the Ayodhya Ram Janmbhomi complex on July 5,
2005. Before the terrorists could reach the main disputed site, they
were shot down by Indian security forces. One Hindu worshipper
and two policemen were injured during the incident.[13]
[edit] Human rights violations
Both sides in the conflict have been accused of human rights
violations and have been denied. Pakistan, Kashmiri non-
governmental organisations and international human rights groups
have blamed Indian Security Forces for occurrences of human
rights abuses in the state. India denies the allegations and argues
that, except a few incidents, most of the crimes and atrocities
against Kashmiris are committed by the insurgents.
A report by the Human Rights Watch, stated two main reasons for
the improving human rights condition in the region: First, sincere
efforts were made by the new Jammu and Kashmir state
government headed by Mufti Muhammad Sayeed to investigate
cases of human rights abuses in the state and to punish those
guilty including Indian soldiers. More than 15 Indian army soldiers
were convicted by the Indian government in 2004 for carrying out
human rights abuses in the state. Second, the decrease in cross-
border infiltration into India by armed insurgents.[14]
The districts of Baramulla and Anantnag in the Kashmir Valley are
the worst affected. The increasing violence in the region has
compelled India to deploy more than 250,000 troops in the valley.
According to an Indian NGO, every day more than 50 people are
abducted by the insurgents in the valley; half of whom are
killed.[citation needed] Incidents of rape, kidnapping, looting, rioting, and
money laundering have increased since the insurgency intensified
in the 1980s.[citation needed] The Jammu and Kashmir provincial
government stated in 2003, that a total of 3,744 people had
'disappeared' since 1989. However, human rights activists put the
total figure at more than 8,000. Those who are targeted mainly
include women, children and local politicians.[15]
List of political parties in Pakistan
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_Pakistan)
Political parties in Pakistan lists political parties in Pakistan. Pakistan has a multi-
party system, with numerous parties in which no one party often has a chance of
gaining power alone, and parties must work with each other to form coalition
governments.
Parties active in national and provincial politics

[edit] Major parties and coalitions
1.Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), the parliamentary wing of the
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was founded in 1967, on November 30 by Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto who became its first chairman and later Prime Minister of Pakistan. This party
has been active in Pakistani Politics after the separation of East Wing from the rest
of Pakistan. The party gained much popularity and support from masses in in era of
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The party won the 1971 elections on socialist mandate of "Roti,
Kapra, Makan" (Bread, Clothes & Shelter). PPP took control of the country after the
Indian supported Civil War of 1971. After the first parliamentary term, PPP secured a
landslide victory in 1977 elections to rule for further five years.
Opposition parties claimed that the election was heavily rigged by PPP. Tensions
mounted and despite the agreement was reached between opposition and PPP,
martial law was imposed in the country by Gen. Zia ul Haq. Bhutto was hanged in
1977 after a very controversial trial in which he was found guilty of murder of a
political opponent. His daughter Benazir Bhutto was elected twice as the prime
minister but her government was dismissed both times on corruption charges, none
of them proven in the court despite many years of proceedings.
PPP (Pakistan People’s Party) was a socialist nationalist party when formed by
Zalfikar Ali Bhutto, but moved toward the right under Benazir Bhutto. Zalfikar Ali
Bhutto wanted closer ties with China and more attention to the lower classes.
Benazir Bhutto adopted conservative privatization policies in order to secure funding
from the United States and the World Bank. Although twice elected Prime Minister,
Benazir Bhutto was criticized for corruptions and extra-judicial killings.
The PPP currently holds 81 seats in the national assembly and 11 seats in the
senate. It forms the provincial government in Sindh is the official opposition in
Punjab. In the Angus-Reid pre-election polls of 22-December-2007, it was in first
place, with about 30% of the vote. It is strong in the rural areas of Sindh and Punjab.
2. Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML "Nawaz group")is a centrist conservative party
that has been led from Saudi Arabia by Nawaz Sharif. It currently holds 19 seats in
the national assembly and 4 seats in the senate. Although twice elected as Prime
Minister, Nawaz Sharif was criticized for wide-spread corruption and extra-judicial
killings. In the Angus-Reid pre-election polls of 22-December, the PML/N was in
second place, with about 25% of the vote. It is strong in Punjab province.
3. Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML "Quaid-i-Azam group"), the party supporting
current president, Pervez Musharraf), and officially called Pakistan Muslim League.
PML/Q is a centrist conservative party that forms the current national government. It
currently holds 142 seats in the national assembly and 43 seats in the senate. The
PML/Q formed from the split of the PML following the arrest and exile of PML leader
and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The PML/Q absorbed some minor parties through
power-sharing agreements.
Although initially popular, Musharraf has been criticized for supporting the US
invasion of Afghanistan and suspension of legal rights. In the Angus-Reid pre-
election polls of 22-December-2007, the PML/Q was in third place, with about 23%
of the vote. It is strong in urban areas of the two large provinces (Punjab and Sindh).
It forms the provincial government in Punjab.
4. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), previously known as Mohajir Qaumi
Movement. The party was formed firstly as student's organization in University of
Karachi as the All Pakistan Muhajir Student Organization (APMSO) in 11 June 1978.
This student organization was founded when the thousands of Mohajir students
(Urdu-speaking immigrants from India after partition) were deprived of their rights
and jobs in both private & government organizations. The students were faced with
harsh quotas introduced by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto which deprived Mohajir students of
their seats in Universities and higher educational institutions. That led to the
formation of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement in 1984. The name was changed to
Mutthaida Qaumi Movement in 1997 in order to fight for the rights of 98% oppressed
people in Pakistan. Altaf Hussain is the head of this political organiztion. MQM
currently holds 17 seats in the national assembly and 7 seats in the senate. It is the
official opposition in Sindh province. In the Angus Reid poll of 22-December, the
MQM was in sixth place, with 2% of the vote
5. Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, a coalition of six religious parties consisting of the
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) (Assembly of Islamic Clergy, Fazl-ur-
Rahman Group), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (S) (Assembly of Islamic Clergy, Sami-ul-
Haq Group) Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (Assembly of Pakistani Clergy), Jamiat-e-Ahl-
e-Hadith and a few more. The religious alliance forms the government in Northwest
Frontier Province. It leads the coalition government in Balochistan with PML Quaid-
e-Azam.
MMA is de-centrist. It is the official opposition nationally. It is strong in the two small
provinces. It is legally ultra-conservative and economically socialist. It strongly
opposes US military presence in Pakistan. It currently holds 63 seats in the national
assembly and 21 seats in the senate. In the Angus-Reid pre-election pollsof 22-
December, the MMA was in fifth place, with 4% of the vote.
6. Twelve other parties hold a total of 20 seats in the national assembly and 18 seats
in the senate. The PTI party led by Imran Khan is boycotting the elections, but was
in fourth place in the Angus-Reid poll of 22-December, with 6% of the vote. The PTI
is strong in NWFP, where it forms the official opposition.
http://www.hrcpelectoralwatch.org/partyprofiles.cfm
[edit] Minor parties
 Awami National Party
 Awami Tehreek
 Balochistan National Party
 Balochistan National Movement
 Communist Party of Pakistan
 Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party
 Federal National Movement
 Green Party of Pakistan
 Jamhoori Wattan Party
 Jamiat Ahlehadith Pakistan
 Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mehaz
 Khaksar Tehrik
 Millat Party
 National People's Party (NPP)
 Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party
 Pakistan Awami Tehrik
 Pakistan Democratic Party
 Pakistan Muslim League (F) (also known as Functional Muslim League or PML
Pagaro Group)
 Pakistan People's Party (S)
 Hizb ut-Tahrir
 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan
 Pakistan Progressive Party
 Pasban (Voice Against Injustice) (Altaf Shakoor)
 Sindh National Front
 Sindh National Party
 Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party
 Tehrik-e-Istiqlal
 Hazara Qumi Mahaz (HQM)
[edit] Parties in Parliament

 Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam), PML (Q) – 117 (led by Chaudhry
Shujaat Hussain)
 Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, PPPP – 81 (led by Benazir Bhutto)
 Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, MMA – 60 (led by Maulana Fazl ur-Rahman and Qazi
Hussain Ahmad)
 Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), PML (N) – 19 (led by Nawaz Sharif)
 Muttahida Qaumi Movement, MQM – 17 (led by Altaf Hussain)
 National Alliance, NA – 16 (led by Imtiaz Sheikh)
 Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) – 5
 Pakistan Muslim League (Junejo) – 3
 Pakistan Peoples Party (Sherpao) – 2
 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf – 1
 Pakistan Awami Tehrik – 1
 Pakistan Muslim League (Zia) – 1
 Balochistan National Party – 1
 Jamhoori Watan Party – 1
 MQM(H) – 1
 PSPP – 1
 Independent candidates – 15
The Parliament of Pakistan is bicameral, consisting of the National Assembly of

Pakistan and the Senate. National Assembly elections were last held on 12 October
2002, and Senate elections were last held in February 2003.
Elections are scheduled to be held on 8 January 2008. See Pakistani general
election, 2008.
[edit] Composition of Parliament
Senate after February 2003
elections
Party
Seats
PML
40
MMA
National Assembly elections, October
21 2002
PPPP Party
11 Seats
Mutahida Quomi Movement PML
6 126
PML/N PPPP
4 81
NAP MMA
- 63
PPP/S
2 PML/N
19
PkMAP
2 NAP
16
Major Political Parties
Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians
The Pakistan Peoples Party was launched at its

founding convention held in Lahore on November 30
- December 01, 1967.
At the same meeting, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was elected as its Chairman. Among the express
goals for which the Party was formed were the establishment of an "egalitarian democracy"
and the "application of socialistic ideas to realize economic and social justice". A more
immediate task was to struggle against the hated military dictatorship at the height of its
power when the PPP was formed. Basic principles of PPP enshrined:
• Islam is our Faith

• Democracy is our Politics
• Socialism is our Economy
• All Powers to the People
The Party also promised the elimination of feudalism in accordance with the established
principles of socialism to protect and advance the interests of peasantry.read more
http://www.ppp.org.pk
Pakistan Muslim League (Qaid-e-Azam)
The top winner in the National Assembly headed by choudhary shujaat, the PML (Q), called
by its opponents as the King's Party, has been particularly vocal about cohesion between the
government and armed forces. One of its election promises also include providing farm
inputs at subsidized rates to the farmers, obviously as an attempt to lure the egalitarian
community in the bread basket of the country Punjab, where the party is based.
read more
http://www.dawn.com
http://www.paktribune.com
http://www.paktribune.com
http://www.encyclopedia.com
Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz)

The PMLN was long regarded as the party closest to the
powerful establishment of generals and senior bureaucrats.
Mr Sharif, Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, 46, the youthful leader
of the Pakistan Muslim League, the country's founding party,
comes from a business background.
Nawaz Sharif and his Pakistan Muslim League, which, in the 1993 elections, emerged as the
party with the highest vote bank in the country with a popular support base of 41% (the
Pakistan Muslim League received one million votes more than the Pakistan People's Party in
the 1993 elections), is today the symbol of national unity acting as a bridge builder between
Punjab and the smaller provinces and the federation of Pakistan.
The election Manifesto 2002 "Pledge with Pakistan" of the PML (Nawaz), the government
replaced by President Pervez Musharraf three years ago, pledges to block military takeovers
in future. It also vows to put country on the path of democracy, self-reliance, prosperity,
economic development and elimination of poverty. In addition, it also promise debating the
defence budget, excluding the classified, in the parliament and to limit the powers of the
Military Intelligence to security and counter-terrorism. It also promised to abolish the elitist
education system by creating equal opportunities, universal primary enrollment by 2005,
launching a movement to raise literacy rate to 75% by 2010 and to spend 4% of GNP
allocated for education by 2007. PML (N) has won 13 seats in the National Assembly.
Read more
http://www.muslim-league-n-saudia.8m.com
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA)
MMA is alliance of Islamic relgious political parties staunchly

believing in democratic values, which has always welcomed
constructive criticism.
Their basic ideas are islamic philosophy and ideology ialso want devolution of powers on
gross-roots level and hence pursuing the policy of further improving and strengthening the
new local government system in the provinces
The election manifesto of MMA promised enforcing the Islamic laws and systems in the
country and the end of US influence in the region. It also promised to check the rising
inflation level and to create job opportunities with stress on education and health sectors.
read more
http://www.mma.org.pk/
http://www.jamaat.org/
Pakitan Tehreek-e-Insaf
In 1996 Imran, disgusted with the state of national

politics, decided to form Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, of
which he remains the Chairman. The PTI Agenda of
resurgence articulates the long-neglected aspirations
of the people and spells out the vision of a model,
modern Islamic republic encapsulating policies and
programs with clear objectives.
read more
www.insaf.org.pk
Muthahidda Quami Movement (MQM's)
Muthahidda Quami Movement has bagged 13 seats in the National Assembly and 31 seats in
Sindh Assembly, which makes it second top winner after PPPP in the province. MQM's
manifesto calls for a new constitution to award greater provincial autonomy according to
1940 Lahore Resolution. It also calls for an independent and non-aligned foreign policy,
allocating 5% of the GNP for education and 4% for health, compulsory education up to 10th
grade and free education up to the primary level, 100% literacy rate in urban areas within 5
years and cent per cent literacy in 10 years.
read more
http://www.mqm.com
Pakistan Awami Tehreek
PAT believes in the supremacy of democratic rights of all citizens, which should entitled
them to complete freedom and liberty.
a) Religious Freedom: This implies complete liberty in exercise of religious beliefs and
practice in the light of their socio-religious traditions.
b) Socio Cultural Freedom: To uphold and practice social and cultural traditions, festivals,
celebrations, rites and rituals and to adopt a social style of living according to their own
customs.
c) Basic Human Rights: PAT believes in ensuring:That all basic human rights are vested in
all men and women.That all men and women enjoy equality in the exercise of their basic
rights.That there is a complete guarantee and sanctity of their religious, socio-political and
legal rights and freedom in practicing them according to the law and democracy.No
authority has any right to abrogate or suspend the fundamental human rights.
d) Equality of Rights: All citizens irrespective of religion, sect, sex, race, color or creed enjoy
equal rights and no citizen enjoys preference over any other. Such example of supremacy of
the judiciary is required to be ensured in our system. The same is being practiced in the
western world.
read more
http://www.pat.com.pk
Awami National Party (ANP)In the North West Frontier Province, the anti-British
activities of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’s Khudai Khidmitgar movement had created
considerable political activism in the years before Partition. After independence, the National
Awami Party (NAP), created in the 1950s on a progressive, mainly secular platform
advocating social reform, continued to exercise a strong influence over Frontier politics, in
opposition to the Muslim League. The politics of NAP were inherited in the 1980s by its
successor, the Awami National Party (ANP), which under the leadership of Asfandyar Wali,
the grandson of Ghaffar Khan, remains a major force in the NWFP today. However, the party
has been accused recently of increased opportunism, particularly in the formation in 1997 of
an alliance with the PML-N, a party which, in ideological terms, seems to be diametrically at
odds with the more radical policies of the ANP.
Read more
http://www.paknews.com/elections2002/
Millat Party (MP)Millat Party (MP) was formed by former President Farooq Leghari in 1999
after he was removed from the presidency following a prolonged row with then prime
minister Nawaz Sharif. The MP, the National People’s Party and another breakaway PPP
faction led by former NWFP chief minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao, and known as the PPP-
Sherpao, form a part of the pro-government Grand National Alliance (GNA) which holds 15
seats in the National Assembly.
Pakistan Muslim League-Junejo (PML-J)Pakistan Muslim League (Junejo) entered
Pakistan’s national politics after forging an alliance for the 1993 polls with the PPP. Claiming
3.9 per cent of the vote cast, the PML-J under the leadership of Hamid Nasir Chatta helped
bolster the PPP vote share in the Punjab. However dissent within the PML-J has split the
faction since then and has severely curtailed the party’s ability to play a significant role in
the national politics. The party has won two National Assembly seats in 2002 polls.
Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP)Led by Nawab Akbar Bugti, the powerful chief of the Bugti
tribe, Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) has been in and out of various government and
opposition coalitions during Pakistan’s lost decade of democracy between 1988 and 1997. In
2002 elections, the party’s electoral fortunes have met a setback with only one member in
the National Assembly and three members in the provincial assrmbly of Balochistan, a
province twice ruled by Nawab Bugti, once as a chief minister and at another time as its
governor.
PML (Z)
Headed by former military ruler General Ziaul Haq’s son Ijazul Haq, the party is the latest
addition to the half dozen or so PML factions. It came into being when in a pre-October
2002 poll internal conflict, Ijazul Haq challenged the leadership of then PML (Q) chief Mian
Muhammad Azhar claiming from the rank and file. Failing to get hold of the top party post,
Ijaz got his own faction registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan as Pakistan
Muslim League (Zia), in an obvious reference to his father.
Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party
Pakistan gained Independence in 1947. In 1948 the Communist Party India

helped bring about the conception of the Communist Party Pakistan (CPP)
with Sajjad Zaheer as its General Secretary. Although the party was small, it
was a tight and disciplined organisation with many fronts in operation.
These included the Progressive Writer’s Movement, headed by the world famous poet Faiz
Ahmed Faiz (who along with Pablo Neruda won the Lenin peace prize in 1962), the Railway
Worker’s Union, and a the student movement under the name of the Democratic Students
Front (DSF).
Read more
http://www.mkp.20m.com
The Labour Party Pakistan (LPP)
Founded in 1997,The Labour Party Pakistan (LPP) is the fastest growing left party in
Pakistan. With a strong trade union support, the LPP is attracting youth and students as
well. Its students wingNational Students Federation (NSF) is fast emerging as a national
level students' force. LPP's organ weekly Mazdoor Jeddojuhd is the largest trade union and
left wing weekly in Pakistan
Balochistan National Party
They believe the establishment in Islamabad has intentionally

deprived them of educational facilities so as to deny them
equal opportunities in jobs and other fields. If the military
government sticks to its graduation condition the Baluch will
also be deprived of equal electoral opportunities, especially in
rural areas and more especially in the matter of women
representation.
In terms of landmass, Baluchistan is the largest province of Pakistan: it occupies 43.6 per
cent of the country’s total area. But it is the least populated (only 5 per cent of the total
population) and, worse, least literate. It is very rich in natural resources. Pakistan’s
industrial infrastructure mainly depends on the gas and coal of this province. The gas from
Dera Bugti meets 60 per cent of Pakistan’s, mainly Punjab’s, domestic and industrial needs.
The province has 200 coal mines, which again meet the industrial requirements of Punjab.
The province is rich in marble and mineral wealth which is being explored by foreigners
under contracts from the Government of Pakistan. The government has provided heavy
protection to the explorers against resentful Baluch.
Read more
http://www.balochistan.net
World Sindhi Congress (WSC)

The World Sindhi Congress (WSC) is one of the most prominent
human rights advocacy organizations for Sindh and Sindhis. The
main objective of WSC is to create a better understanding among
the international community about the disadvantaged status of
Sindhis in Pakistan and about Sindhi peoples struggles for their
human rights, including the right to self-determination.
In addition WSC strives to carry out welfare and relief work amongst the people of Sindh,
such as literacy improvement, relief of poverty, health care aid, and natural disaster relief.
WSC is a registered company in England and Wales, and Lousiana, USA, organzied to carry
out non-profit activities only.
Read more
http://www.sindhlink.net
Sindh National Front(S.N.F)
No doubt, a strong Federal Centre is meant to counter the fissiparous trends and separatist
tendencies, but it is also correct to say that a strong Centre does not necessarily mean a
strong nation. The strong Central government in the past have been responsible for a
weaker rather a vulnerable Pakistan.
S.N.F (Sindh National Front) want genuine Provincial Autonomy. The autonomy which is
being enjoyed by the States in the US & Canada, the Indian Provinces, the Cantons in
Switzerland and the Australian Provences etc.
The Provincial Autonomy as provided with the Act of 1935 was meant for colonial India and
not for free and independent Pakistan. But after that in 1940 (Lahore resolution) was the
main theme of Independent Pakistan
http://snfsindh.netfirms.com
Pakistan Christian Congress

The first convention of Pakistan Christian Congress was held on
jan.10,1985, at Lahore. It was attended by the delegates from all the
disrticts of Punjab, Sindh, Balouchistan and N.W.F.
Prepresentig youth, students,labour leaders,ladies forums, lawyers and bussiness men

adopting resoulation to formulate the Pakistan Christian Congress, a christians political party
to launchstruggle to safeguard the social, religious and political rights of christians of
Pakistan.
Elections in Pakistan
Pakistan
This article is part of the series:
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At the national level, Pakistan elects a bicameral legislature, the Parliament of

Pakistan, which consists of a directly-elected National Assembly of Pakistan and a
Senate whose members are chosen by elected provincial legislators. The Prime
Minister of Pakistan is elected by the National Assembly. The President of Pakistan
is elected by the Electoral College of Pakistan, which consists of both houses of
Parliament together with the provincial assemblies.
In addition to the national parliament and the provincial assemblies, Pakistan also
has more than five thousand elected local governments.
Pakistan has a multi-party system, with numerous parties. Frequently, no single
party holds a majority, and therefore parties must form alliances during or after
elections, with coalition governments forming out of negotiations between parties.
Contents
[show]
[edit] Upcoming elections

[edit] General elections, 2008
Main article: Pakistani general election, 2008
General elections are due to be held on February 18th 2008.[1]
[edit] Recent elections

[edit] Presidential election, 2004
On January 1, 2004, Gen. Pervez Musharaf won 658 out of 1,170 votes in the
Electoral College of Pakistan, and according to 'Article 41(8)' of the Constitution
of Pakistan, was "deemed to be elected" to the office of President until October,
2007. [2]
Electoral College Vote, January 1, 2004
Legislature
Seats
Absent
Abstained
Against
For
Senate
100
43
56
National Assembly
342
93
58
191
Punjab Province
371
110
254
[edit] Prime-Ministerial election, 2004
Shaukat Aziz was elected Prime Minister on August 27, 2004, by a vote of 191
to 151 in the National Assembly of Pakistan, and was sworn in on August 24,
2004.
[edit] Parliamentary elections and composition
Senate after February 2003 elections
Party
Seats
PML/Q
40
PPPP
11
MMA
21
MQM/A
PML/N
NAP
PML/F
PkMAP
2
[discuss] – [edit]
Summary of the October 2002 National Assembly elections
% of popular vote Seats
Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam) 25.7 126
Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians 25.8 81
11.3 63
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan
 Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (Islamic Assembly)
 Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Assembly of Islamic Clergy)
 Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (Assembly of Pakistani Clergy)
 Tehrik-e-Islami (Movement for Islam)
Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Sharif) 9.4 19
Muttahida Qaumi Movement 3.1 17
National Alliance 4.6 16
 Millat Party
 Others
Pakistan Muslim League (Functional Group) 1.1 5
Pakistan Muslim League (Junejo) 0.7 3
Pakistan Peoples Party (Sherpao) 0.3 2
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf 0.8 1

Pakistan Awami Tehrik (Pakistan People's Movement} 0.7 1
Jamhoori Wattan Party (Republican National Party) 0.3 1
Pakistan Muslim League (Zia-ul-Haq Shaheed) 0.3 1
Pakistan Democratic Party 0.3 1
Balochistan National Party 0.2 1
Awami National Party 1.0 -
Pakhtun-khwa Milli Awami Party - 1
Independents - 3
Non-partisans (most joined one of the above parties) 14.1 21*
Female elected members (included in party seats above) . 60*
Minorities (included in party seats above) . 10*
Total (turnout 41.8 %) 342
Source: Pakistan Electoral Commission & CIA Factbook
* Not included in total. Except for three independents, most of these are included in the party-seat
numbers
[edit] Electoral history

[hide]
v•d•e
Pakistani presidential elections

1965
Pakistani parliamentary elections
1970 | 1977 | 1988 | 1990 | 1993 | 1997 | 2002 | 2008
[edit] Election of 1947 - 1958

In the period between 1947-1958, there were no direct elections held in
Pakistan at the national level. Provincial elections were held occasionally. The
West Pakistan provincial elections were described as "a farce, a mockery and a
fraud upon the electorate" [3] The first direct elections held in the country after
independence were for the provincial Assembly of the Punjab between March
10-20, 1951. The elections were held for 197 seats. As many as 939 candidates
contested the election for 189 seats, while the remaining seats were filled
unopposed. Seven political parties were in the race. The election was held on
an adult franchise basis with approximately one-million voters. The turnout
remained low. In Lahore, the turnout was 30 per cent of the listed voters and in
rural areas of Punjab it was much lower.
On December 8, 1951, the North West Frontier Province held elections for
Provincial legislature seats. In a pattern that would be repeated throughout
Pakistan's electoral history, many of those who lost accused the winners of
cheating and "rigging" the elections. Similarly, in May, 1953 elections to the
Provincial legislature of Sindh were held and they were also marred by
accusations of rigging. In April, 1954, elections were held for the East Pakistan
Legislative Assembly, in which the 'Pakistan Muslim League' lost, and Bengali
nationalists won. [4]
[edit] 1977 General Elections

On January 7, 1977, Prime Minister Bhutto announced snap elections, and the
general elections to the provincial and national assemblies were held on March
7 and 10, 1977, respectively. To many, the quick election date was arranged so
as not to give sufficient time to the opposition in order for it to make decisions
and arrangements in regard to the forthcoming elections. The total number of
registered voters in the country was put at 30,899,052.
On January 11, 1977, all major and some minor opposition parties had cobbled
together an electoral alliance, the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA), to contest
elections against Bhutto’s PPP.
The official turnout figure was 63 percent – if 19 uncontested seats were
discounted, the turnout was 80 percent (the 'PNA' boycotted the Balochistan
elections because of an ongoing military operation). The 'PPP' won 58.1 percent
of all the votes that were cast, and 136 of the 173 contested NA seats. The
'PNA' won only 35.1 per cent of the vote and 36 seats. 'PPP' had already won
19 NA seats unopposed including the home seat of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in
Larkana. The 'PNA' levelled allegations of massive vote-rigging and boycotted
the provincial elections.
[edit] Seats Won in the 1977 Elections
Tribal
Party Punjab Sind NWFP Balochistan Islamabad Total
Areas
Pakistan 107 32 8 155

7 (100%) 1 (100%) 0
Peoples Party (93%) (74%) (31%) (77.5%)
Pakistan
11 17
National 8 (7%) 0 0 0 36 (18%)
(26%) (65%)
Alliance
8
Independent 0 0 1 (4%) 0 0 9(4.5%)
(100%)
Total Seats 115 43 26 7 1 8 200
[5]
[edit] National Assembly General Elections of (1988-1997)

Party 1988 1990 1993 1997
Pakistan Peoples Party 93 44 89 18
Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) 54 106 0 0
Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) - - 73 137
Awami National Party 2 6 3 10
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)* 13 15 - 12
Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam (Fazlur Rehman) 7 6 - 2
Other Parties/Indepenents ** 38 30 42 28
Total Turnout 43.07% 45.46% 40.28 35.42
Total Seats 207 207 207 207
N.B: All elections were contested under a separate electorate system, the 1990
elections had allegations of vote-rigging confirmed by foreign observers.[6] The
'MQM' contested the 1988 elections under the name Haq Parast group, it
boycotted the 1993 National elections.
[7]
[edit] References
1. ^ Ahmed Rashid. "Pakistan's uncertain year ahead", BBC News, 2007-02-18.
Retrieved on 2007-07-09.
2. ^ (See Pakistan Gives Musharraf Confidence Vote as President; New York
Times; January 1, 2004)
3. ^ ('Report of the Electoral Reforms Commission', Government of Pakistan,
1956).
4. ^ Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Election site accessed feb 2007
5. ^ Source: 'Overseas Weekly Dawn' (March 13, 1977), reprinted in 'Shahid
Javed Burki, Pakistan under Bhutto, 1971–1977' (London, 1980), p. 196.
6. ^ For more information, see "How an election was stolen" The Pakistan
Democratic Alliance White paper on the Pakistan elections held in 1990. It was
published by the weekly 'MID Asia', Islamabad, 1991.
7. source Herald Election Guide/October 2002 p38
 Senate of Pakistan
 National Assembly of Pakistan
 President of Pakistan
 Prime Minister of Pakistan
 Speaker of National Assembly
 Deputy Speaker of National Assembly
 List of political parties in Pakistan
 Provincial Assembly of the Balochistan
 Provincial Assembly of the Punjab
 Provincial Assembly of the Sindh
Elections in general
 Electoral calendar
 Electoral system
External links
 Election Commission of Pakistan
 Pakistan Elections News & Coverage
 Pakistan Elections Blog!
 PILDAT MNA Directory
 Adam Carr's Election Archive

 (Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Pakistan)


Islāmī Jumhūrīyah Pākistān Islamic Republic of Pakistan: Motto: مکحم نيقي ،ميظنت ،داحتا

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Islāmī Jumhūrīyah Pākistān Islamic Republic of Pakistan: Motto: مکحم نيقي ،ميظنت ،داحتا

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Islāmī Jumhūrīyah Pākistān

Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Motto: ‫ يقين محکم‬،‫ تنظيم‬،‫اتحاد‬

Anthem: "Qaumi Tarana"

Official languages Urdu (national), English (official)[1]

Recognised Balochi, Pashto, Punjabi, Siraiki,

Government Islamic Republic

- President Pervez Musharraf

- Prime Minister Muhammad Mian Soomro

- Independence from the United Kingdom

- Declared 14 August 1947

- Islamic republic 23 March 1956

880,940 km² (36th)

- Water (%) 3.1

- 2007 estimate 161,488,000[3][4] (6th)

GDP (PPP) 2007 estimate

- Total US$465.4 billion [5] (26th)

- Per capita US$2,943 (128th)

Gini (2002) 30.6 (medium)

HDI (2007) 0.551 (medium) (136th)

Currency Rupee (Rs.) (PKR)

- Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+6)

Internet TLD .pk

Calling code +92

Office Name Party Since

President Pervez Musharraf - 20 June 2001

Prime Minister Muhammad Mian Soomro PMLQ 15 November 2007

Parliament House of Pakistan

Political parties and elections

Composition of the Pakistan Senate after February 2003 elections

Party Initials Seats

Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam) PML/Q 40

Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan MMA 21

Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians PPPP 11

Pakistan Muslim League (N) PML/N 4

National Alliance NAP 3

Pakhtun-khwa Milli Awami Party PkMAP 2

Awami National Party ANP 2

Pakistan Peoples Party (Sherpao) PPP/S 2

Pakistan Muslim League (Functional Group) PML/F 1

Jamhoori Wattan Party (Republican National Party) JWP 1

Balochistan National Party-Awami BNP-Awami 1

Balochistan National Party-Mengal BNP-Mengal 1

% of popular vote Seats

Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam) 25.7 126

Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians 25.8 81

 Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (Islamic Assembly)

 Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Assembly of Islamic Clergy)

 Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (Assembly of Pakistani Clergy)

 Tehrik-e-Islami (Movement for Islam)

Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Sharif) 9.4 19

Muttahida Qaumi Movement 3.1 17

National Alliance 4.6 16

 Sindh Democratic Alliance

Pakistan Muslim League (Functional Group) 1.1 5

Pakistan Muslim League (Junejo) 0.7 3

Pakistan Peoples Party (Sherpao) 0.3 2

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf 0.8 1

Jamhoori Wattan Party (Republican National Party) 0.3 1

Pakistan Muslim League (Zia-ul-Haq Shaheed) 0.3 1

Pakistan Democratic Party 0.3 1

Balochistan National Party 0.2 1