Pakistan's Geographic Challenge 2023

Pakistan is dying (and that is a global problem)

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan was established on 14 August 1947, emerging from the partition of <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-India" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">India</a> as part of the <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-England" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">British Commonwealth</a>. This event marked the creation of two separate nations, Pakistan and <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Republic-of-India" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">India</a>, based on religious lines. Pakistan initially consisted of two geographically separate areas, West Pakistan (current Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Bangladesh" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bangladesh</a>), as well as Hyderabad, now part of India. The historical narrative of Pakistan, as officially recognized by the government, traces its roots back to the Islamic conquests in the Indian subcontinent, starting with Muhammad bin Qasim in the 8th century CE, and reaching a pinnacle during the <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/Mughal-Empire" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mughal Empire</a>.&nbsp; Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the leader of the All-India Muslim League, became Pakistan's first Governor-General, while Liaquat Ali Khan, the secretary-general of the same party, became the Prime Minister. In 1956, Pakistan adopted a constitution that declared the country an Islamic democracy. However, the country faced significant challenges. In 1971, after a civil war and Indian military intervention, East Pakistan seceded to become Bangladesh. Pakistan has also been involved in several conflicts with India, mainly over territorial disputes. During the <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/Cold-War" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cold War</a>, Pakistan aligned closely with the <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-the-United-States" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">United States</a>, playing a crucial role in the Afghan-<a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-the-Soviet-Union" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Soviet</a> War by supporting Sunni Mujahideens. This conflict had a profound impact on Pakistan, contributing to issues like terrorism, economic instability, and infrastructure damage, particularly between 2001 and 2009. Pakistan is a nuclear-weapon state, having conducted six nuclear tests in 1998, in response to India's nuclear tests. This position places Pakistan as the seventh country worldwide to develop nuclear weapons, the second in South Asia, and the only one in the Islamic world. The country's military is significant, with one of the largest standing forces globally. Pakistan is also a founding member of several international organizations, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition. Economically, Pakistan is recognized as a regional and middle power with a growing economy. It is part of the "Next Eleven" countries, identified as having the potential to become among the world's largest economies in the 21st century. The <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-the-Peoples-Republic-of-China" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">China</a>-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is expected to play a vital role in this development. Geographically, Pakistan holds a strategic position, linking the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, and East Asia.

Visual Timelines

History of Republic of Pakistan Timeline

History of Republic of Pakistan Timeline

Formation and Early Years

Prologue

Creation of Pakistan

Founding Years of Pakistan

Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948

Pakistan's Turbulent Decade

First Military Era

1958 Pakistani Military Coup

Great Decade: Pakistan under Ayub Khan

Decline of Ayub Khan and the Rise of Bhutto

Second India–Pakistan War

Martial Law Years

Second Democratic Era

Bangladesh Liberation War

Bhutto Years in Pakistan

Second Military Era and Islamization

Decade of Religious Conservatism and Political Turmoil in Pakistan

Third Democratic Era

Return to Democracy in Pakistan

Nawaz Sharif Era in Pakistan

Second Term of Benazir Bhutto

Pakistan’s Nuclear Era

Third Military Era

Musharraf Era in Pakistan

Kargil War

1999 Pakistani coup d'état

Fourth Democratic Era

2008 Electoral Turnaround in Pakistan

Pakistan under Gillani

From Sharif to Khan

Imran Khan's Governance

Shehbaz Sharif Governance

Shop Now

Support HM Project

History of Ireland

Migration of Early Modern Humans

Geopolitical Theories

Life in a Medieval Village

Logistics during the American Civil War

Art of War of the Byzantine Empire

Naval Warfare during the American Revolution

Feedback