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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Now, Pak religious scholars declare praying behind terror endorsing imams "haram"
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:15:59 -0000
Karachi, Dec. 16 : A fatwa issued by religious scholars has prohibited people from offering prayers behind any imam who endorses terrorism and suicide attacks on Muslims and mosques, and has declared doing so as ' haram' . "Suicide bombings and terrorist attacks in Pakistan are haram.
Diplomat: Pakistan holding up some US visas
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:48:32 -0000
Pakistan has held up visas for U.S. diplomats, military service members and others, apparently because of hostility within the country toward the expansion of U.S. operations in Pakistan, a senior U.S. diplomat said Wednesday.
Govt's feats made foes join hands against PPP: Zardari
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:05:19 -0000
ISLAMABAD: The outstanding achievements of the PPP government have made the party's adversaries join hands against the government, President Asif Ali Zardari said on Tuesday.
Pakistan extends custody of US militant suspects
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:29:17 -0000
Five American youths arrested for trying to link up with Islamist militant groups were remanded in custody for another 10 days by a Pakistani court on Tuesday, police said.
LHC for govt action against diplomats flouting law
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:50:53 -0000
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 By our correspondent LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif disposed of a petition on Monday, seeking directives of the government for taking action against the illegal and anti-state activities of the Blackwater, the US and Dutch nationals under the cover of diplomatic immunity, with the ...
'CIA, General Headquarters threat to Pakistan's democratic government'
Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:24:30 -0000
South East Asia News.Net Tuesday 15th December, 2009 Islamabad, Dec. 15 : The Pakistan Supreme Court has heard that the CIA and General Headquarters pose a threat to the current democratic government.

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