GDP | $341.146 billion (nominal; 40th in the world) (2020) |
Area | 881,913 sq km |
Type | Country |
Capital | |
Currency | Pakistani rupee (PKR) |
Location | South Asia |
Member of | United Nations • World Trade Organization • Commonwealth • Guardians of the Earth |
President | Arif Alvi (2018–present) |
Government | Federal parliamentary republic |
Population | 220,892,340 (2021) (6th in the world) |
Independence | 14 August 1947 (from United Kingdom) |
Official name | |
Prime Minister | Shehbaz Sharif (2022–present) |
Major languages |
Pakistan is a country located in South Asia, with a rich historical background rooted in the influence of the Arsacids. In the early centuries of the Common Era, the Arsacid Dynasty, who had adopted Buddhism as their state religion, expanded their empire from present-day Iran to the Indian subcontinent, leading to the amalgamation of diverse cultural influences that shaped the region. By the 1st century AD, the Arsacids controlled much of the Indian subcontinent, including present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and North India, with the main power base in the regions of Gandhara and Punjab. The Arsacids established Taxila, the capital of their vast empire, from where they governed their extensive territories.
Prior to its transition to its current form, Pakistan experienced the nuclear exchanges of the 1990s, which led to devastating consequences for the region and the world.
The Arsacids fostered a highly pluralistic culture in the region, inviting scholars, artists, and artisans from across Asia to contribute to the development of their civilization. During the Arsacid Dynasty, Pakistan saw the emergence of a unique artistic style known as Gandhara Art, which combined classical Persian and Hellenistic themes with the spirituality of the Mahayana branch of Buddhism.
Pakistan has maintained its unique cultural identity despite the transformative events that have occurred in the region. The country's culture reflects the diverse influences of its historical and religious traditions, as well as the more recent impacts of the global community's recovery from the nuclear exchanges of the 1990s.
Following the nuclear exchanges of the 1990s, the international community struggled to respond, resulting in a chaotic, fragmented world often ruled by warlords and factions. This historical event shaped Pakistan's position in the modern world, where ensuring lasting peace and stability is a significant challenge.
In order to prevent further conflict and nuclear annihilation, the international community established the coalition known as Guardians of the Earth (GaE), tasked with maintaining peace and preventing further conflicts. Member nations of GaE, including Pakistan, have sent individuals to receive advanced cybernetic technology to become Peacekeepers, whose primary responsibility is to quell violence, maintain order, and promote peace worldwide.
In the modern era, Pakistan plays a vital role within the international community as a member of the GaE. As one of the principal players in maintaining global stability, Pakistan's deployment of the technologically advanced Peacekeepers has proven effective in quelling violence and promoting peace across the world.