Pakistan Economy, People, Culture, Flag

The people of Pakistan have a multi-linguistic and multi-ethnic background. The majority of the population is made up of Punjabis, Sindhis, Pashtuns (Pakhtuns), Mohajirs and Baluchis. All the people follow many different cultural traditions and speak many different languages and dialects. They are, in fact, a mixture of Dravidians, Indo-Aryans, Greeks, Scythians, Huns, Arabs, Mongols, Persians, and Afghans.

Pakistan can boast of a rich cultural heritage. It is known for its music that can be traced back to the 13th-century poet and musician Amir Khusru, who composed the earliest ragas. Besides this, there is Qawwali, a form of devotional song, which forms a part of the Sufi tradition. Qawwali is based on melodic and free-rhythmic song-poems and classical musical forms. Formerly performed at the shrines of Sufi saints, today Qawwali is usually a part of celebrations or events.

The architecture of Pakistan portrays a rich combination of Mughal and British colonial architectural forms. This combination has given way to large domes, slender towers, and archways that have been constructed with the use of red sandstone, white marble, embellished with jewels.

The Pakistan Flag is green with a vertical white band on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star in the center of the green field. The crescent, star, and the green color are traditional symbols of Islam.
Please click here to view the Flag of Pakistan

Agriculture is the mainstay of economy in Pakistan. About 50 percent of the population is involved in farming, forestry and fishing that together contribute to 25 percent of the GDP. Barring the regions of north and the west, which are covered by mountains, the rest of the country has fertile plains where crops like wheat, cotton, maize, sugar cane and rice are grown. The areas of Quetta and Kalat are known for their fruits and dates. Pakistan is self-sufficient in wheat, rice and sugar.

The industries of Pakistan, which contribute to 20 percent of GNP, involve 10 percent of the population. Main items that are exported by Pakistan include cotton cloth, tapestries, leather, carpets and rice. In 2001 Pakistan's gross domestic product (GDP) was $58.7 billion. The government budget in 2000 included $9.9 billion in revenues and $13.5 billion in expenditures.