Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (), is a country located in South Asia that overlaps with the Greater Middle East. It has a thousand-kilometre coastline along the Arabian Sea in the south and borders Afghanistan and Iran to the west, India to the east and the People's Republic of China in the far northeast.The Kashmir region is claimed by India and Pakistan. Both countries and China separately administer parts of the region with the Indian- and Pakistani-held areas defined by the Line of Control. The Pakistan–China border is not recognized by India.

Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world and the second most populous Muslim country. It was established as a modern state in 1947, as one of the two parts of the partitioned British India, but the region has a long history of settlement and civilisation including the Indus Valley Civilisation. The region was invaded by Afghans, Greeks, Persians, Arabs, and was incorporated into British Raj in the nineteenth century. Since independence, Pakistan has experienced times of significant military and economic growth, and times of instability, with the loss of East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh). Pakistan has the seventh largest armed forces in the world and is a declared nuclear weapons state.

Etymology

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The name "Pakistan" (IPA: ) means "Land of the Pure" in Urdu and Persian and was coined in 1933 by Choudhary Rahmat Ali, who published it in the pamphlet Now or NeverText of the Now or Never pamphlet, issued on January 28, 1933 as an acronym of the names of the "Muslim homelands" of western India — P for Punjab, A for Afghania (the Afghan areas), K for Kashmir, S for Sindh and tan for Balochistan. An i was later added to the English rendition of the name to ease pronunciation.

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Pakistan News

News Story: Embattled UN rethinking Afghan-Pakistan role
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:12:16 -0000
The United Nations is sending about 600 foreign staff out of the country or into secure compounds because of the deadly Taliban attack on U.N. workers, warning the Afghan government Thursday that international support will wane unless it cracks down on corruption fueling the insurgency.
Gunmen again target army officer in Pakistan
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:45:47 -0000
Gunmen on a motorcycle wounded a senior army officer and soldier in the Pakistani capital Friday, the third such attack in about two weeks as militants retaliate against a new military offensive along the Afghan border.
Hakimullah warns Taliban fighters against fleeing
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:17:21 -0000
DEAR ISMAIL KHNA: Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud has urged his fighters to stand fast against the military offensive in South Waziristan, warning them in an intercepted message obtained on Thursday that cowards will go to hell.
Pak asks India to explain its role in terror activities inside its territory
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:44:45 -0000
South East Asia News.Net Friday 6th November, 2009 Islamabad, Nov.6 : Pakistan has once again raked up the issue of India's alleged hand in terror activities inside its territory, saying New Delhi must explain its role in promoting terrorism in the country, The Daily Times reports.
Clinton encouraged by 'overwhelmingly positive' Pakistani response
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:18:27 -0000
Home >> Politics >> Clinton encouraged by 'overwhelmingly positive' Pakistani response Describing the response to her candid engagement with the Pakistani civil society as 'overwhelmingly positive,' Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the U.S. is building a strong base for ties between the two nations.
Allow people's will in Gilgit: EU members tell Pakistan
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:36:11 -0000
Brussels, Nov 5 Some members of the European Parliament have expressed "great concern" over Pakistan imposing its rule in Gilgit Baltistan rather than allowing the people to decide their political future.

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