Pakistan

Strategically located in a position between the important regions of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a federal parliamentary republic of four provinces and four federal territories. With over 170 million people, Pakistan is the sixth most populated country in the world and has the second largest Muslim population after Indonesia. It is an ethnically and linguistically diverse nation with a similar variation in its geography and wildlife.

Pakistan is a rapidly developing country. Nowadays, Pakistan is regarded as to having the second largest economy in South Asia, being the 27th largest economy in the world in terms of purchasing power. The structure of the Pakistani economy has changed from a mainly agricultural base to a strong service base. Significant foreign investments have been made in several areas including telecommunications, real estate and energy, whereas wide-ranging economic reforms have resulted in a stronger economic outlook and accelerated growth especially in the manufacturing and financial services sectors.

:: Background of Pakistan ::

The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars – in 1947-48 and 1965 – over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 – in which India capitalized on Islamabad’s marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics – resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. India-Pakistan relations have been rocky since the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, but both countries are taking small steps to put relations back on track. In February 2008, Pakistan held parliamentary elections and in September 2008, after the resignation of former President MUSHARRAF, elected Asif Ali ZARDARI to the presidency. Pakistani government and military leaders are struggling to control domestic insurgents, many of whom are located in the tribal areas adjacent to the border with Afghanistan.

:: Geography of Pakistan ::

Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north

Geographic coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 E

Area:
total: 796,095 sq km
land: 770,875 sq km
water: 25,220 sq km

Area – comparative: slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries: 6,774 km
Coastline: 1,046 km

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north
Terrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in west

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m

Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone

Land use:
arable land: 24.44%
permanent crops: 0.84%
other: 74.72% (2005)
Irrigated land: 182,300 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources: 233.8 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 169.39 cu km/yr (2%/2%/96%)
per capita: 1,072 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)

Environment – current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; most of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification

Environment – international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography – note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent

:: People of Pakistan ::

Population: 184,404,791 (July 2010 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 36.7% (male 33,037,943/female 31,092,572)
15-64 years: 59.1% (male 53,658,173/female 49,500,786)
65 years and over: 4.2% (male 3,495,350/female 3,793,734) (2010 est.)

Median age:
total: 21.2 years
male: 21.2 years
female: 21.2 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.589% (2010 est.)
Birth rate: 25.3 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
Death rate: 7.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 36% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 65.32 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 68.59 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 61.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.63 years
male: 63.84 years
female: 67.5 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.28 children born/woman (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS: 96,000 (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS – deaths: 5,100 (2007 est.)

Nationality: noun: Pakistani(s) adjective: Pakistani
Ethnic groups: Punjabi 44.68%, Pashtun (Pathan) 15.42%, Sindhi 14.1%, Sariaki 8.38%, Muhajirs 7.57%, Balochi 3.57%, other 6.28%
Religions: Muslim 95% (Sunni 75%, Shia 20%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 5%

Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%. If you’re looking for interpreting and translation services throughout Pakistan, Day Translations can help.
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 49.9%
male: 63%
female: 36% (2005 est.)

 

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 7 years
male: 8 years
female: 6 years (2008)
Education expenditures: 2.9% of GDP (2008)

Geography of Pakistan: Important Geographical Information about Pakistan

Pakistan is a diverse country of landscapes varying from plains to deserts, forests, hills, and plateaus ranging from the coastal areas of the Arabian Sea in the south to the mountains of the Karakoram range in the north.

Pakistan geologically overlaps both with the Indian and the Eurasian tectonic plates where its Sindh and Punjab provinces lie on the north-western corner of the Indian plate while Balochistan and most of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa lie within the Eurasian plate which mainly comprises the Iranian plateau, some parts of the Middle East and Central Asia.

The Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir lie mainly in Central Asia along the edge of the Indian plate and hence are prone to violent earthquakes where the two tectonic plates collide. Pakistan is bordered by Afghanistan to the north-west and Iran to the west while the People’s Republic of China borders the country in the north and India to the east. The nation is geopolitically placed within some of the most controversial regional boundaries which share disputes and have many-a-times escalated military tensions between the nations, e.g. that of Kashmir with India and the Durand Line with Afghanistan. Its western borders include the Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass that have served as traditional migration routes between Central Eurasia and South Asia.

Professional Translation Organizations & Associations in Pakistan

Below is a list of the major translation organizations and associations of Pakistan.

:: List of Organizations ::

Engineering and Business Management

Bahria University

COMSATS Institute of Information Technology

COMSATS Federal Urdu University

Institute of Space Technology

International Islamic University

National Defence University, Pakistan

National University of Modern Languages

National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan

Pakistan Institute of Development Economics

Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Quaid-i-Azam University

Foundation University, Islamabad

Foundation National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences

Riphah International University

Information about the Pakistani Flag: Colors and Meaning of the Flag of Pakistan

The national Pakistani flag is a green field with a white crescent moon and five-rayed star at its centre, and a vertical white stripe at the hoist side.

The country’s flag consists of a white serrated band (five white points which represent the five pillars of Islam) on the hoist side, separated from a red area on the right. It is worth noting that the Pakistani flag had eight white points until 2002, but they were reduced to five to avoid confusion with the Qatari flag.

The green represents the majority Muslim community in Pakistan, whereas the white stripe represents religious minorities. In the centre, the crescent and star symbolize progress and light respectively. The flag symbolizes Pakistan’s commitment to Islam, the Islamic world, and the rights of religious minorities. It is based on the original flag of the Muslim League, which itself drew inspiration from the flag of the Sultanate of Delhi and the Mughal Empire in India.

Extensive List of Languages of Pakistan: Spoken and Extinct Languages

:: List of Languages ::

Aer [aeq] 150 (1998). Women monolingual. 333 around Deh. Lower Sindh, Jikrio Goth near Kunri around Deh, Hyderabad, and at Jamesabad. Others reportedly migrated to India at Partition in 1947, living in the Kach Bhuj area in Gujarat. Dialects: Jikrio Goth Aer, Jamesabad Aer. Lexical similarity: 78% with Katai Meghwar and Kachi Bhil—both dialects of Kachi Koli, 75%–77% with the Rabari dialect of Kachi Koli, 76% with Kachi Koli. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Gujarati

Badeshi [bdz] Ethnic population: 2,825 (2000). Bishigram (Chail) Valley upper reaches, east of Madyan, Swat Kohistan. 1 village. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Unclassified

Bagri [bgq] 200,000 in Pakistan. 100,000 in Sind Province (1998). Sindh Province; Punjab. Alternate names: Bagari, Bagria, Bagris, Bahgri, Baorias, Bawri. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Rajasthani, Unclassified

Balochi, Eastern [bgp] 1,800,000 in Pakistan (1998). 5,000,000 including L2 users of all Balochi languages. Population total all countries: 1,800,800. Northeast Balochistan Province, northwest Sind, southwest Punjab. Also in India. Alternate names: Baloci, Baluchi, Baluci, Eastern Hill Balochi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi

Balochi, Southern [bcc] 2,770,000 in Pakistan (1998). Population total all countries: 3,405,000. South Balochistan, south Sind, Karachi. Also in Iran, Oman, United Arab Emirates. Alternate names: Baloci, Baluchi, Baluci, Makrani. Dialects: Coastal Balochi, Kechi (Keci), Makrani (Lotuni). Distinct from Eastern Balochi and fairly distinct from Western Balochi . Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi

Balochi, Western [bgn] 1,120,000 in Pakistan (1998). Population total all countries: 1,803,840. Northwest Balochistan Province. Also in Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan. Alternate names: Baloci, Baluchi, Baluci. Dialects: Lashari, Rakhshani (Raxshani), Sarawani. Strongly influenced by Fars, but not intelligible with Farsi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi

Balti [bft] 270,000 in Pakistan (1992). Population total all countries: 308,800. Primarily northeast Pakistan, Baltistan District, Skardu, Rondu, Shigar, Khapalu, Kharmang, and Gultari valleys. Also in India. Alternate names: Baltistani, Bhotia of Baltistan, Sbalti. Dialects: Chorbat is most divergent dialect. Lexical similarity: 87%–100% among dialects, 78%–85% with Purik [prx]. Classification:Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Western

Baluchi [bal] A macrolanguage. Population total all countries: 7,005,142.

Bateri [btv] 28,300 in Pakistan (2000). Population total all countries: 29,100. Extreme south corner, Kohistan District, Indus River east bank, a small pocket north of Besham; Batera area. Also in India. Alternate names: Batera Kohistani, Baterawal, Baterawal Kohistani, Bateri Kohistani. Dialects: More similar to Indus Kohistani [mvy] than to Shina [scl], but distinct from both. Lexical similarity: 58%–61% with Indus Kohistani, 60% with Gowro [gwf], 54% with Chilisso [clh], 29% with Shina and Torwali [trw], 27% with Kalami [gwc]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Kohistani

Bhaya [bhe] 400 (1998). Lower Sindh: Kapri Goth near Samaro, Khipro area, Jamesabad, Mir ke goth, Mirpurkhas, Phuladia, a few families in Hyderabad. Possibly in India. Dialects: Similarity of key morphemes: The possessive postposition with ‘g-’ contrasts with all other languages in the area. Gender endings match Marwari [mve]. May be the same as Bhoyari dialect of Malvi [mup] in India. May be in Western Hindi group. Lexical similarity: 84% with Marwari [mve], 75% with Malhi dialect of Dhatki [mki], 73% with Bhat, 72%

73% with Goaria [gig], 70%–73% with Sindhi Meghwar dialect of Sindhi Bhil [sbn], 63% to 72% with Mogi, 63%–71% with Sindhi Bhil [sbn], 70% with Urdu [urd]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Western Hindi, Unclassified

Brahui [brh] 2,000,000 in Pakistan (1998). Population total all countries: 2,220,000. South central, Quetta and Kalat region, east Baluchistan and Sind provinces. Also in Afghanistan, Iran, Turkmenistan.Alternate names: Birahui, Brahuidi, Brahuigi, Kur Galli. Dialects: Jharawan, Kalat, Sarawan. Kalat is standard dialect, Jharawan is lowland. Classification: Dravidian, Northern

Burushaski [bsk] 87,000 in Pakistan (2000). North Gilgit District areas, Hunza-Nagar and Yasin areas; scattered in Gilgit, Kashmir, and various cities. Also in India. Alternate names: Biltum, Brushaski, Burucaki, Burucaski, Burushaki, Burushki, Khajuna, Kunjut. Dialects: Nagar (Nagir), Hunza, Yasin (Werchikwar). Yasin is geographically separated from other dialects. Lexical similarity: 91%–94% between Nagar and Hunza dialects, 67%–72% between Yasin and Hunza, 66%–71% between Yasin and Nagar, and may be a separate language. Classification: Language isolate

Chilisso [clh] 2,300 (1992 SIL). Indus River east bank, Indus Kohistan, Koli, Palas area, scattered families.Alternate names: Chiliss, Galos. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 70% with Indus Kohistani [mvy], 65%–68% with Gowro [gwf], 54% with Bateri [btv], 48%–56% with Shina [scl]. 26% with Torwali [trw], 25% with Kalami [gwc]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Kohistani

Dameli [dml] 5,000 (1992 SIL). Kunar River east side, south Chitral District, south of Drosh, Damel valley. 11 villages. Alternate names: Damedi, Damel, Damia, Gudoji. Dialects: 2 groups: Shintari and Swati, but no significant dialect variation. Lexical similarity: 44% with Gawar-Bati [gwt], Savi [sdg], and Phalura [phl], 33% with Kamviri [xvi], 29% with Kati [bsh]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Kunar

Dehwari [deh] 13,000 (1998). Central Balochistan, Kalat, and Mastung. Alternate names: Deghwari. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian

Dhatki [mki] 132,000 in Pakistan (2000). 100,000 in Sind (1987). Population total all countries: 148,400. Lower Sind, Tharparkar, Sanghar districts. Also in India. Alternate names: Dhati. Dialects: Eastern Dhatki, Southern Dhatki, Central Dhatki, Barage, Malhi. Varies considerably from northern Marwari [mve], although they claim to understand one another. Lexical similarity: 80%–83% with Marwari dialects, 88% with Dhatki of Rajasthan and Dhatki of Thar. Classification:Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Rajasthani, Marwari

Domaaki [dmk] 500 (1989), decreasing. Gilgit District, areas north, mainly Hunza Valley, Mominabad village; a few in Punyal in Big Nagar, Shishkat (Gojal), Dumial in Gilgit, Oshkandas (east of Gilgit), and Bakor village. Alternate names: Doma, Dumaki. Dialects:

Loanwords from Shina [scl] and Burushaski [bsk], but is not mutually intelligible. Lexical similarity: 40% with Gilgit Shina. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central group

English [eng] Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English

Farsi, Eastern [prs] 1,000,000 in Pakistan. 1,400 in Madaglasht, and many refugees (1992 SIL). Southeast Chitral, Shishi Koh Valley, Madaglasht village; Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, other large cities. Alternate names: Badakhshi, Dari, Madaglashti, Tajik. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian

Gawar-Bati [gwt] 1,500 in Pakistan (1992). South Chitral, Arandu; Kunar River south of Arandu, Madaglasht village. Alternate names: Arandui, Gowar-Bati, Gowari, Narisati, Narsati, Satre. Classification:Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Kunar

Ghera [ghr] 10,000 (1998). Hyderabad, 1 colony, between main bus stop and railway station. Speakers say more than 90% remained in Surat and Ahmedabad, India. Alternate names: Bara, Sindhi Ghera. Dialects: Quite different grammatically from Gurgula [ggg] and similar to Urdu [urd]. Lexical similarity: 87% with Gurgula, 70% with Urdu. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Western Hindi, Unclassified

Goaria [gig] 25,400 (2000). Widespread in Sindh Province (except Karachi), including Larkana, Sukkur, Moro, Badin, Umerkot. Dialects: May be the same as Gawari [sck] in India. Lexical similarity: 75%–83% with Jogi, 76% to 80% with Marwari [mve] sweeper, 72%–78% with Marwari Meghwar [mve], 70%–78% with Loarki [lrk]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Rajasthani, Marwari

Gowro [gwf] 200 (1990). Indus Kohistan east bank, Kolai area, Mahrin village. Alternate names: Gabar Khel, Gabaro. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 65%–68% with Chilisso [clh], 62% with Indus Kohistani [mvy], 60% with Bateri [btv], 40%–43% with Shina [scl], 25% with

Torwali [trw], 24% with Kalami [gwc]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Kohistani

Gujarati [guj] Lower Punjab, Sindh. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Gujarati

Gujari [gju] 300,000 in Pakistan (1992). 2,910 in Chitral (1969), 20,000 in Swat Kohistan (1987), 200,000 to 700,000 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (1989). North Pakistan widespread, east in Hazara District, NWFP, Kaghan Valley, Azad Jammu, and Kashmir. Scattered in south Chitral, Swat Kohistan; Dir Kohistan, NWFP; Gilgit Agency. Alternate names: Gogri, Gojari, Gojri, Gujer, Gujjari, Gujuri, Gujuri Rajasthani, Kashmir Gujuri. Dialects: Western Gujari, Eastern Gujari. Classification:Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Rajasthani, Unclassified

Gurgula [ggg] 35,300 (2000). Sindh Province, Bhens Colony, Karachi; smaller urban centers through Sindh: Mirpur Khas, Shahdadpur, Panj, Moro, Sabura and Tando Allahyar. Alternate names:Marwari Ghera. Dialects: Ghera [ghr] is quite different gramatically. Lexical similarity: 87% with Ghera. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Rajasthani, Unclassified

Hazaragi [haz] 157,000 in Pakistan (2000). Many recent refugees from Afghanistan. Baluchistan; Qunduz area, Quetta, Karachi and Islamabad, some villages in rural Sindh. Alternate names: Azargi, Hazara, Hezareh. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian

Hindko, Northern [hno] 1,880,000 (1981 census). Total Hindko in Pakistan 3,000,000 (1993). Hazara Division, Mansehra and Abbotabad districts, Indus and Kaghan valleys and valleys of Indus tributaries, NWFP. Alternate names: Hazara Hindko, Hindki, Kagani, Kaghani. Dialects: Also related to Panjabi [pnb], Seraiki [skr], and Pahari-Potwari [phr]; which have all been called ‘Greater Panjabi’, forming part of ‘Lahnda’. Lexical similarities within Northern Hindko dialects are 82%–92%, between Northern and Southern

Hindko [hnd] varieties 67%–82%. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Lahnda
Hindko, Southern [hnd] 625,000 (1981 census). Punjab Province, Attock District, into southernmost Hazara Division, NWFP; Kohat and Peshawar districts, NWFP. Dialects: Peshawar Hindko (Peshawari), Attock Hindko (Attock-Haripur Hindko), Kohat Hindko (Kohati), Rural Peshawar Hindko. The dialect in Dera Ismail Khan, sometimes called ‘Hindko’, is apparently more similar to Seraiki [skr]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Lahnda

Jadgali [jdg] 100,000 in Pakistan (1998). Southeast Balochistan Province, southwest Sind. Also in Iran.Alternate names: Jat, Jatgali, Jatki. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Sindhi

Jandavra [jnd] 5,000 (1998). South Sindh Province, Hyderabad to east of Mirpur Khas. Reportedly many in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. Alternate names: Jhandoria. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 74% with Bagri [bgq] and the Katai Meghwar dialect of Kachi Koli [gjk], 68%with Kachi Koli [gjk]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Gujarati

Kabutra [kbu] 1,000 (1998). Sindh, Umerkot, Kunri, and Nara Dhoro areas. Speakers say that 90% of the people remain in the Zal area of Marwar, India. Alternate names: Nat, Natra. Dialects: Reported inherent intelligibility with Sansi [ssi] and the Sochi dialect of Sansi, and use Kabutra when speaking to them. Lexical similarity: 74% with the Sochi language variety. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Western Hindi, Hindustani, Sansi

Kachchi [kfr] 50,000 in Pakistan (1998). Karachi. Alternate names: Cuchi, Cutch, Kachchhi, Kachi, Katch, Katchi, Kautchy, Kutchchi, Kutchie. Dialects: Jadeji. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Sindhi

Kalami [gwc] 40,000 (1987). Upper Swat Kohistan, between Peshmal and Kalam north to upper valleys above Kalam; Dir Kohistan in Thal, Lamuti (Kinolam), Biar (Jiar), and Rajkot (Patrak) villages.Alternate names: Bashgharik, Bashkarik, Dir Kohistani, Diri, Dirwali, Gaawro, Garwa, Garwi, Gawri, Gowri, Kalami Kohistani, Kohistana, Kohistani. Dialects: Kalam, Ushu, Thal, Lamuti (Lamti), Rajkoti (Patrak), Dashwa. Dialect differences do not hinder communication, except speakers of other dialects have difficulty with Rajkot. Lexical similarity: 90%–93% among main dialects; Rajkoti has 75% with Kalami; Dashwa has 77% with Kalami [gwc], and 74% with Rajkoti. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Kohistani

Kalasha [kls] 5,030 (2000). South Chitral District, Rumbur Valley, Balanguru village. Southern Kalasha in Urtsun Valley; Northern Kalasha in Rumbur, Bumboret, and Birir valleys. Alternate names:Kalash, Kalashamon, Kelash. Dialects: Southern Kalasha (Urtsun), Northern Kalasha (Rumbur, Bumboret, Birir). An eastern dialect may be on the east side of Chitral River, south of Drosh. Related to

Khowar [khw]. Little contact between Northern and Southern dialects. Southern dialect has 75% lexical similarity with northern dialects. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Chitral

Kalkoti [xka] 4,000 (1990). Dir Kohistan, NWFP, Kalkot village. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 69% with Kalami [gwc]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Kohistani

Kamviri [xvi] 2,000 in Pakistan (2004). South Chitral District, Langorbat, Lamerot, Badrugal, and Urtsun Valley. Alternate names: Kamdeshi, Kamik, Lamertiviri, Shekhani. Dialects: Kamviri, Shekhani. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Nuristani

Kashmiri [kas] 105,000 in Pakistan (1993). Jammu and Kashmir, south of Shina. Alternate names:Cashmeeree, Cashmiri, Kacmiri, Kaschemiri, Keshuri. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Kashmiri

Kati [bsh] 4,400 in Pakistan (1992). Eastern Kativiri in Chitral District, Gobar in Lutkuh Valley, Kunisht in Rumbur Valley, Shekhanan Deh in Bumboret Valley, Urtsun Valley. Alternate names: Bashgali, Kativiri, Nuristani. Dialects: Eastern Kativiri (Shekhani), Western Kativiri, Mumviri. Classification:Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Nuristani

Khetrani [xhe] 4,000. Northeast Balochistan Province. Dialects: Related to Siraiki [skr]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Lahnda

Khowar [khw] 223,000 in Pakistan (1992). Population total all countries: 242,200. Chitral; Shandur Pass to Fupis in Ghizr Valley; Gilgit Agency, Yasin and Ishkhoman valleys, north Swat Valley, Ushu; Peshawar and Rawalpindi. Also in India. Alternate names: Arniya, Chitrali, Chitrari, Citrali, Kashkari, Khawar, Patu, Qashqari. Dialects: North Khowar, South Khowar, East Khowar, Swat Khowar. Northern dialect considered more ‘pure’. Related to Kalasha [kls] but different. Lexical similarity: 86%–98% among dialects. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Chitral

Kohistani, Indus [mvy] 220,000 (1993). Indus Kohistan District, west bank Indus River. Alternate names: Khili, Kohistani, Kohiste, Mair, Maiyã, Maiyon, Shuthun. Dialects: Indus (Mani, Seo, Pattan, Jijal), Duber-Kandia (Manzari, Khili). A separate language from nearby varieties (Bateri [btv], Chilisso [clh], Gowro [gwf], Shina [scl], Torwali [trw], Kalami [gwc]). The names ‘Mani’ and ‘Manzari’ are not used for dialects, but refer to legendary brothers whose descendants settled in the 2 dialect areas. Lexical similarity: 90% among dialects, 70% with Chilisso, 61% with Gowro, 58% with Bateri, 49% with Shina, 28% with Kalami and Torwali. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Kohistani

Koli, Kachi [gjk] 170,000 in Pakistan (1998). 80,000–100,000 Kachi Koli, 5,000–6,000 Rabari, 10,000 Kachi Bhil, 50,000 Vagri, 10,000 Katai Meghwar, 1,000 Zalavaria Koli. Population total all countries: 570,000. Lower Sindh, an area bordered by Sakrand and Nawabshah north, Matli in the south, and east beyond Mirpur Khas and Jamesabad, Tando Allahyar, and Tando Adam town areas. Also in India. Alternate names: Kachi, Kachi Gujarati, Katchi, Kohli, Kolhi, Koli, Kori, Kuchi, Vagari, Vagaria. Dialects: Kachi, Rabari (Rahabari), Kachi Bhil, Vagri (Kachi Meghwar), Katai Meghwar, Zalavaria Koli. Intermediate between Sindhi [snd] and Gujarati [guj] and becoming more like Sindhi. The Kachi dialect has 89% intelligibility with Kachi and Rabari, 96% with Kachi Bhil, 86% with Vagri, 92% with Katai Meghwar, 88% with Zalavaria Koli, 78% with Gujarati [guj], 76% with Tharadari Koli. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Gujarati

Koli, Parkari [kvx] 250,000 (1995). Sindh, southeast tip bordering India, Tharparkar District, Nagar Parkar. Most of the lower Thar Desert, west as far as Indus River, bordered north and west by Hyderabad, to south and west of Badin. Alternate names: Parkari. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 77%–83% with Marwari Bhil [mve], 83% with Tharadari Koli [xkp]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Gujarati

Koli, Wadiyara [kxp] 175,000 in Pakistan (1998). 75,000 Wadiyara, 5,000 Mewasi and Nairya, 30,000 Tharadari, 45,000 Hasoria, 20,000 Rardro. Sind, bounded by Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar and Mirpur Khas north, Matli and Jamesabad south. Alternate names: Wadaria, Wadhiara. Dialects: Mewasi (Mayvasi Koli), Wadiyara Koli, Nairya Koli, Tharadari Koli, Tharadari Bhil, Hasoria Koli, Hasoria Bhil, Rardro Bhil. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Gujarati

Lahnda [lah] A macrolanguage. Population total all countries: 78,299,889.

Lasi [lss] 15,000 (1998). Southeast Balochistan Province, Las Bela District, north-northwest of Karachi.Alternate names: Lassi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Sindhi

Loarki [lrk] 20,000 (1998). Sindh Province, rural. Dialects: Probably the same as Gade Lohar [gda] in Rajasthan, India, a Rajasthani language. Lexical similarity: 82% with Jogi, 80% with Marwari [mve]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Rajasthani, Marwari

Marwari [mve] 220,000. 100,000 Northern Marwari, 120,000 or more Southern Marwari (1998). The latter 100,000 Marwari Bhil, 10,000 Marwari Meghwar, 12,000–13,000 Marwari Bhat. Northern Marwari in south Punjab and north Sindh, north of Dadu and Nawabshah; Southern Marwari in Sindh and south Punjab provinces, between Tando Mohammed Khan and Tando Ghulam Ali to the south, Dadu and Nawabshab to the north. Alternate names: Jaiselmer, Marawar, Marwari Bhil, Marwari Meghwar, Merwari, Rajasthani. Dialects: Northern Marwari, Southern Marwari, Marwari Bhil, Marwari Meghwar, Marwari Bhat. Northern and Southern Marwari mutually inherently intelligible. Lexical similarity: 79%–83% with Dhatki [mki], 87% between Southern and Northern Marwari, 78% with Marwari Meghwar and Marwari Bhat dialects. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Rajasthani, Marwari
Marwari [rwr] Eastern upper Sindh Province. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Rajasthani, Marwari

Memoni [mby] Karachi. Dialects: Similar to Sindhi [snd] and Gujarati [guj]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Unclassified

Od [odk] 50,000 (1998). Widespread in Sindh; a few in south Punjab. Possibly in Rajasthan, India.Alternate names: Oad, Odki. Dialects: Resembles Marathi with Gujarati features and borrowings from Marwari [mve] and Panjabi. Lexical similarity: 86%–88% among dialects in Dadu, Shikarpur, and Pithoro, 70%–78% with Marwari, Dhatki [mki], and Bagri [bgq]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Unclassified

Ormuri [oru] 1,000 in Pakistan (2000 J. Owens). Population total all countries: 1,050. Kaniguram, a pocket in Mahsud Pashto area northwest of Dera Ismail Khan, Wazirstan. Also in Afghanistan. Alternate names: Baraki, Baraks, Bargista, Ormui, Ormur, Urmuri. Dialects: Kanigurami, Logar. Lexical similarity: 27% with Waneci [wne], 25%–33% with Pashto dialects. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Ormuri-Parachi

Pahari-Potwari [phr] 49,400 (2000). Murree Hills north of Rawalpindi, and east to Azad Kashmir; north in the lower half of the Neelum Valley. Poonchi dialect is east of Rawalakot; Potwari is in Rawalpindi plains area; Punchhi and Chibhali reportedly in Jammu and Kashmir. Alternate names: Chibhali, Dhundi-Kairali, Pothohari, Potohari, Potwari. Dialects: Pahari (Dhundi-Kairali), Pothwari (Potwari), Chibhali, Punchhi (Poonchi), Mirpuri. Pahari means ‘hill language’ referring to a string of divergent varieties, some of which may be separate languages. A dialect chain with Panjabi and Hindko. Degree of similarity to western Pahari is unknown. Lexical similarity: 76%–83% among varieties called ‘Pahari’, ‘Potwari’, and some called ‘Hindko’ in Mansehra, Muzzaffarabad, and Jammun. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northern zone, Western Pahari

Pakistan Sign Language [pks] Alternate names: Isharon Ki Zubann. Dialects: Related to Nepalese Sign Language [nsp]; may be the same language as Indian Sign Language [ins]. Classification: Deaf sign language

Panjabi, Western [pnb] 60,600,000 in Pakistan (2000). Population total all countries: 62,648,000. Mainly in Punjab. Also in Afghanistan, Canada, India, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States.Alternate names: Lahanda, Lahnda, Lahndi, Western Punjabi. Dialects: There is a continuum of varieties between Eastern [pan] and Western Panjabi, and with western Hindi and

Urdu [urd]. ‘Lahnda’ is an earlier name for Western Panjabi; an attempt to cover the dialect continuum between Hindko, Pahari

Potwari [phr], and Western Panjabi in the north and Sindhi [snd] in the south. Grierson (1903–1928) said Majhi [mjz] is the purest form of Panjabi. Several dozen dialects. The Balmiki (Valmiki) sweeper caste in Attock District speak a dialect of Panjabi. Classification:Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Lahnda

Pashto, Central [pst] 7,920,000. Wazirstan, Bannu, Karak, southern ethnic group territories and adjacent areas.Alternate names: Mahsudi. Dialects: Waciri (Waziri), Bannuchi (Bannochi, Bannu). Lexical comparison and interviews indicate this is distinct from

Northern [pbu] and Southern [pbt] Pashto. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pashto
Pashto, Northern [pbu] 9,590,000 in Pakistan (1993). Includes all Pashto varieties. Population total all countries: 9,720,700. Ethnic population: 49,529,000 possibly total Pashto in all countries. Afghanistan border, most of NWFP, Yusufzai, and Peshawar. Also in Afghanistan, Canada, India, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States. Alternate names: Pakhto, Pashtu, Pushto, Yusufzai Pashto. Dialects: Ningraharian Pashto, Northeastern Pashto. Much similarity with Northwestern Pashto in Afghanistan. Subdialects of Northeastern Pashto are Kohat (Khatak), Yusufzai (Peshawar), Afridi, Shinwari, Mohmand, Shilmani. Lexical similarity: 80% between Northeastern and Southwestern Pashto. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pashto

Pashto, Southern [pbt] 1,360,000 in Pakistan (2000). Population total all countries: 2,680,100. Balochistan, Quetta area. Also in Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom. Alternate names: Pashtu, Pushto, Pushtu, Quetta-Kandahar Pashto. Dialects: Southeastern Pashto, Quetta Pashto. Lexical similarity: 80% between northern and southern varieties of Pashto. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pashto

Phalura [phl] 10,000 (2006). East side of the lower Chitral Valley, 7 villages; possibly 1 village in Dir Kohistan; Purigal, Ghos, the Biori Valley, Kalkatak, and Ashret. Alternate names: Biyori, Dangarik, Palola, Palula, Phalulo. Dialects: Ashreti, Northern Phalura. Lexical similarity: 92% between Ashreti and Northern Phalura dialects, 56%–58% with Savi [sdg] in Afghanistan, 38%–42% with Shina [scl]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Shina

Pushto [pus] A macrolanguage. Population total all countries: 20,304,734.

Sansi [ssi] 16,200 in Pakistan (2000). North Sindh Province, Karachi. Sochi live throughout Sindh.Alternate names: Bhilki. Dialects: Sochi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Western Hindi, Hindustani, Sansi

Savi [sdg] Some might live in refugee camps near Timargarha in Dir, Pakistan and near Drosh in Chitral, Pakistan. Probably most returned to Afghanistan. Alternate names: Sau, Sauji, Sawi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Shina

Seraiki [skr] 13,800,000 in Pakistan (2000). Population total all countries: 13,820,000. South Punjab and north Sind, Indus River valley, Jampur area. Derawali in Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Bannu, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Jangli is in Sahiwal area. Also in India, United Kingdom. Alternate names:Bahawalpuri, Multani, Riasiti, Saraiki, Siraiki, Southern Panjabi. Dialects: Derawali, Multani (Khatki), Bahawalpuri (Riasati, Reasati), Jangli, Jatki. Dialects blend together into Panjabi east and Sindhi [snd] south. Until recently it was considered a dialect of Panjabi. 80% intelligibility with Dogri [dgo]. Lexical similarity: 85% with Sindhi; 68% with Dhatki [mki], Od [odk], and Sansi [ssi]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Lahnda

Shina [scl] 300,000 in Pakistan (1981 census), increasing. Population total all countries: 321,000. North, Gilgit District, scattered villages in Yasin and Ishkoman valleys, Punial, Gilgit, Haramosh, lower Hunza Valley; Diamer District, Chilas area, Darel and Tangir valleys, Astor Valley; scattered areas of Baltistan District, Satpara, Kharmang, Kachura, and other small valleys; NWFP, east part of Kohistan District, Sazin, Harban. Also in India. Alternate names: Brokpa, Shinaki, Sina. Dialects:Gilgiti (Gilgit, Punial, Hunza-Nagar, Bagrote, Haramosh, Rondu, Bunji), Astori (Astor, Gurezi, Dras, Satpara, Kharmangi), Chilasi Kohistani (Chilas, Darel, Tangir, Sazin, Harban). Gilgit functions as the language standard. Shina is the primary language in Gilgit and Diamer districts. Lexical similarity: 79%–99% within Gilgiti (Northern) dialect subgroup, 81%–96% with Astori (Eastern) subgroup, 84%–98% with Chilas (Diamer) subgroup. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Shina

Shina, Kohistani [plk] 200,000 (1981 census). Kohistan District, NWFP, east bank Indus River, Jalkot, Palas, and Kolai valley areas. Alternate names: Kohistani, Kohistyo, Palasi-Kohistani. Dialects: Palasi, Jalkoti, Kolai. A somewhat divergent variety of Shina linguistically and socially. More similar to Shina [scl] of Chilas, but more distant from Gilgit [scl] dialect. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Shina

Sindhi [snd] 18,500,000 in Pakistan (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). 1,200,000 Hindu Sindhi (1986). Population total all countries: 21,382,120. Sindh. Possibly also United Arab Emirates. Also in Canada, India, Oman, Philippines, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States. Dialects: Kachchi, Lari, Lasi, Thareli, Vicholo (Vicholi, Viccholi, Central Sindhi), Macharia, Dukslinu (Hindu Sindhi), Sindhi Musalmani (Muslim Sindhi). Some southern Bhil groups speak dialects of Sindhi. 100,000 in rural Sindh originally from Kathiawar Peninsula in India are Muslims, exhibit widespread bilingualism in Sindh, and are almost completely assimilated with the Sindhi people. Lexical similarity: 77% with Katiavari Kachi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Sindhi

Sindhi Bhil [sbn] 56,500 (2000). Sindh Province, Mohrano, Badin-Matli-Thatta, Ghorabari (on west). Sindhi Meghwar scattered from Badin-Matli to Tando Allahyar area. Dialects: Sindhi Bhil, Mohrano, Badin, Sindhi Meghwar. The Badin dialect is similar to Sindhi [snd]. Lexical similarity: 82% between the Mohrani dialect and Sindhi; 89% between Sindhi Bhil [sbn] and Sindhi Meghwar. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Sindhi

Torwali [trw] 60,000 (1987). Swat Kohistan, both sides of Swat River, beyond Madyan north to Asrit (between Mankjal and Peshmal); Chail Valley east of Madyan. Bahrain and Chail are centers.Alternate names: Turvali. Dialects: Bahrain, Chail. Lexical similarity: 44% with Kalkoti [xka] and Kalami [gwc], 89% between Bahrain and Chail dialects. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Kohistani

Urdu [urd] 10,700,000 in Pakistan (1993). Population total all countries: 60,586,800. Widespread. Also in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Botswana, Canada, Fiji, Germany, Guyana, India, Malawi, Mauritius, Nepal, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia. Alternate names: Bihari. Dialects: Intelligible with Hindi, but formal vocabulary is borrowed from Arabic and Persian. Dakhini dialect of Urdu [urd] in India has fewer Persian and Arabic loans than Urdu [urd]. Rekhta is a form of Urdu used in poetry. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Western Hindi, Hindustani

Ushojo [ush] 500 (2007). Upper reaches of Bishigram (Chail) Valley, east of Madyan, Swat Kohistan. 12 villages. Alternate names: Ushuji. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 50% with Kolai Shina [plk], 48% with Palas Shina [plk], 42% with Gilgiti Shina [scl], 35% with Chail

Torwali [trw], 31% with Biori Phalura [ohl], 27% with Bateri [btv], 23% with Kalami [gwc], 22% with Kalkoti [xka]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Shina

Vaghri [vgr] 10,000 (1998). Sindh, in Sukkur, Karachi (Bhes Colony), Nawabshah, Sakrand, Hala, Sanghar, Tando Adam, Tando Mohammed Khan, Badin, Matli, Tando Ghulam Ali, Digri, Noakot, Jang Sai, Mirpur Khas, and Tando Allahyar. Possibly 90,000 in India. Alternate names: Bavri, Salavta, Vaghri Koli. Dialects: Related to the language spoken by the Kukar people living near Chanesar Halt, Mehmoodabad in Karachi. Lexical similarity: 78% with Wadiyari Koli [kxp]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Gujarati

Wakhi [wbl] 9,100 in Pakistan. 4,500–6,000 Gojal, 2,000 Ishkoman, 200 Yasin, 900 Yarkhun (1992), plus refugees. Population total all countries: 31,670. Northeasternmost part of Chitral, called Baroghil area; in glacier neighborhood. Gojal in upper Hunza valley, Gulmit to the Chinese and Afghanistan borders, and Shimshal and Chupursan valleys, upper Yarkhun valley of Chitral, and upper Ishkoman valley. Also in Afghanistan, China, Tajikistan. Alternate names: Vakhan, Wakhani, Wakhigi. Dialects: Gojal, Ishkoman, Yasin, Yarkhun. Dialect intelligibility reportedly not a problem even with those in other countries. Lexical similarity: 84% between Ishkoman and Gojal dialects, 89% between Yasin and Gojal, 91% between Ishkoman and Yasin. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pamir

Waneci [wne] 95,000 (1998). Northeastern Balochistan Province, Harnai area. Alternate names: Chalgari, Tarino, Vanechi, Wanechi, Wanetsi. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 71%–75% with Southern Pashto [pbt], 63%–72% with other Pashto varieties, 27% with Ormuri [oru]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pashto

Yidgha [ydg] 6,150 (2000). Chitral, Upper Lutkuh Valley, west of Garam Chishma. Alternate names:Lutkuhwar, Yidga, Yudga, Yudgha. Dialects: No significant dialect variation. Lexical similarity: 56%–80% with Munji [mnj] in Afghanistan. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pamir

:: Reference ::
Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com/

Famous Pakistani People: Pakistani Artists, Scientists, Leaders, Musicians, Politicians and Athletes

The following people made their mark on both the local and international scenes. They are just some of many famous Pakistanis who have lifted Pakistan’s name worldwide and made a difference in our world. Their purpose and stories inspired awe if not greatness.

:: List of Famous People from Pakistan ::

Sir Muhammad Iqbal
Commonly known as Allama Iqbal (Allama meaning “The Learned One”) in Pakistan, he was a Lahori Muslim poet, philosopher and politician in British India. He wrote his works in Persian and Urdu. Considered the national poet of Pakistan, Allama Iqbal’s poetry has also been translated into several European languages where his works were famous during the early part of the 20th century.

Mohammad Abdus Salam
Theoretical physicist and astrophysicist Abdus Salam holds the distinction of being the first Pakistani and the first Muslim Nobel Laureate to receive the prize in the Sciences. Even today, Salam is considered one of the most influential scientists and physicists in Pakistan.

:: Famous Pakistani Cricketers/Cricket Players ::

Abdul Qadir
Considered to be the best leg spinner in the 1980s and 1990s, Abdul Qadir became one of the most loved cricketers, not only in Pakistan, but around the world. Abdul Qadir was a permanent member of the Pakistan national team. In the latter part of his career, Qadir suffered serious leg injuries which kept him away from the cricketing scene in the early 1990s. Qadir played first-class cricket for twenty years, finishing with 960 wickets at the bowling average of 23.24.

Javed Miandad
Javed Miandad is Pakistan’s leading run scorer in Test cricket. He has served as a captain of the Pakistan national cricket team. He is widely known for his big Six against India in 1986 where 4 runs were required out of 1 ball. After his playing career, he has remained the coach of Pakistan cricket team at various occasions, as well as held positions in the Pakistan Cricket Board. He had three coaching stints with the Pakistan national team.

Saeed Anwar
A left-hander, former opening batsman Saeed Anwar is most notable for scoring 194 runs against India in Chennai in 1997, the previous highest and now the second highest joint individual score in a One Day International.

Wasim Akram
Akram is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in cricket. He holds the world record for most wickets in List A cricket with 881 and is second only to Sri Lankan off-spin bowler, Muttiah Muralitharan in terms of One Day International wickets with 502. He is considered to be one of the founders and perhaps the finest exponent of reverse swing bowling.

Zaheer Abbas
Regarded as one of the finest batsman produced by Pakistan, Zaheer Abbas is widely known as the “Asian Bradman”, a reference to former Australian great Sir Donald Bradman. He is among few professional cricketers who used to wear spectacles. Abbas had two stints as captain of the national team in 1981 and 1984. He retired from international cricket in 1985, and has officiated as a match referee in one Test and three ODI matches. He has also worked as the manager of the national team.

Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi is the current ODI and Twenty20 captain of the Pakistani national team in the international circuit. He is known for his aggressive batting style, and currently holds the highest career strike rate in the history of international cricket. Afridi also holds the record for the fastest one day century which he made in his debut innings in his second one day international, as well as scoring 32 runs in a single over, the second highest scoring over ever in an ODI. He also holds the distinction of having hit the most number of sixes in the history of One Day International cricket. In a survey taken in 2007, Afridi was named as the most popular cricketer in Pakistan.