Pakistan

Pakistan is a blossoming country developed for the sole purpose of preserving Islam. Although it faces many hardships and current issues, it still stands as a beautiful and industrious country today.

__**Modern Pakistan:**__

Population: 184 Million People

Per Capita Income: $2,400

Land Area: 796,095 square miles

Political System/Government: Federal Republic

Imports: $32,770,000

Exports: $20,290,000

Cultural Traditions:


 * Pakistan takes pride in many of its sports such as soccer and cricket.
 * Women will usually wear mehndi, a red ink that women decorate their hands and faces with, on special occasions and holidays.




 * It is common to wear //Shalwar Kameez// as daily, everyday clothing and for occasions.



__**Ancient Pakistan:**__



Population: 170,000,000 (including Hindus and Muslims)

Per Capita Income: N/A

Land Area: N/A

Political System: Used weights and measures for trade and well organized city layouts

Imports/Exports: Created pottery, fine coramics, tools, any beads, and gold and silver which they used to trade. The exported using animal carts and boats.

Cultural Traditions:
 * Women wore elaborate headdresses to cover themselves and keep modesty in society


 * A marriage consisted of four different occasions in which the couple wears mehndi, to retain youth and virginity, and swears by the Quran to seal the bond.


 * It is expected to have manners and give gifts often. Men should avoid giving gifts to women, especially white flowers as they are a sign of marriage.


 * Pakistani cuisine consists of more meat than vegetables (as appose to India's cuisine which consists of mostly vegetables).



__**Why Pakistan is Unique:**__


 * Pakistan is one of the only countries founded for the sole purpose of Islam.


 * Pakistan holds an efficient clothing industry that manufactures most of the clothing people wear today.


 * The Trango towers in Pakistan are some of the tallest cliffs in Pakistan with a vertical drop of nearly 1,340 meters!




 * Although Pakistanis originated from India, they have successfully adapted to their culture today and have maintained their country to be a home to Muslims everywhere.


 * __Timeline:__**


 * (16th Century) - The Mughal Empire brings Islam to India in hopes of spreading Islam.


 * (1940) - The Muslim League, an assembly of Muslims in India to defeat separatism between Muslims and Hindus, petitioned for a new country (along with Muhammad Ali Jinnah) for the many Muslims struggling to thrive in India.


 * (1947) - British and Indian leaders agreed to divide India into India, East Pakistan, and West Pakistan.


 * (1948) - Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder and general of Pakistan, dies. Liaquat Ali Khan takes his place as his successor.

- The first dispute of Kashmir, an area located in northern India, takes place. This is one of the many conflicts over Kashmir.




 * (1951) - Minister Liaquat Ali Khan is assassinated and was given the title "Martyr of the Nation".


 * (1956) - The Pakistan Constitution declares Pakistan an Islamic Republic.


 * (1960) - General Ayyub Khan becomes the President.


 * (1965) - The second war over Kashmir takes place.


 * (1969) - General Ayyub Khan resigns as President allowing General Yahya Khan to take over.


 * (1971) - East Pakistan attempts to split from Western Pakistan, causing a civil war. India sides with East Pakistan which will later separate from Pakistan


 * (1972) - The Simla Peace Agreement creates peace between Pakistan and India, changes East Pakistan to what is now known as Bangladesh, and addresses Kashmir as a "neutral boundary"


 * (1973) - Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto becomes Prime Minister of Pakistan


 * (1979) - Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto is hung due to riots over allegations of voting. General Zia, the future president of Pakistan, makes a military coup to overthrow Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

__**Conclusion:**__

Pakistan has experienced crucial events since it was founded in 1947. Pakistan was successful in retaining its diverse traditions by keeping close contact with countries with similar traditions such as India and Bangladesh and by remembering the fact Pakistan was created for Islam, and Islam only. Pakistan has changed in many ways in almost every aspect. When the country became independent from India, Muslims were given East and West Pakistan. Over time they clashed into conflict and eventually split into Pakistan and Bangladesh. Pakistan has not changed entirely in a cultural viewpoint due to lack of cultural diffusion. Politically, this country has had numerous leaders that have affected Pakistan both positively and negatively. Due to the instability of Pakistan, no leader reigned for more than ten years but each leader significantly improved Pakistan and helped make it what it is today.

Modern day technology has greatly influenced Pakistan to change its traditions so that Pakistan can keep up with the world. Cities are no longer made of stone and mud- most cities today replicate most of the major cities in America! Technology has also given Pakistan the ability to spread its wings and advance further. By this statement I mean that technology is allowing Pakistan to trade with more countries in different places such as America. For instance, American Eagle and other famous designer clothing is manufactured by Pakistan. The most important causes of changes was the fact that Pakistan just wanted the best for themselves so in a liberal standpoint, murdering people and conflict might have been the best to preserve and spread Islam in Pakistan. In conclusion, Pakistan is a very successful country and although there are still issues and difficulties going on, Pakistan stands to be a proud, Muslim country.

__**Bibliography (URL):**__

Mehndi:http://www.fshnsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/mehndi1.jpg

Timeline: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/country_profiles/1156716.stm

ABC-CLIO: http://databases.abc-clio.com/Multi/

Shalwar Kameez (Women): http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OdbJA98pFQ8/TQJl6cIPQuI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/jueJ8Ilx-RU/s1600/salwar-kameez-rvm-615b.jpg

Shalwar Kameez (Men/Boy): http://i45.tinypic.com/29lgxt0.jpg

Biryani: http://www.zurmat.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/chicken-biryani.jpg

Trango Towers: http://www.elistmania.com/images/articles/86/Original/Amazing_Cliffs_1b.jpg

Ten Things Only in Pakistan: http://www.elistmania.com/juice/10_things_only_in_pakistan/

Simla Peace Agreement: http://www.pppusa.org/simlaagreement.htm

Kashmir (Map): http://hotzones.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/kashmir.gif

Ancient India/Pakistan/Bangladesh: http://www.oocities.org/thalsena/oldindia.jpg

Modern Pakistan:http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Y9-xi5n9m3E/S_nONN8fiCI/AAAAAAAAGEU/fU1s2e1gwkw/s1600/pakistan_map%2520010307.gif