Gained independence from the UK in 14th August 1947 Head of State: Asif Ali Zardari since 2008. Head of Government: Prime Minister; Yousaf Raza Gilani since 2008. English is widely spoken. Regional languages include Punjabi, which is spoken by 48 per cent of the population (1
981), Pushto, Sindhi, Saraiki, and Baluchi. There are numerous local dialects. Religion: Ninety-seven per cent Muslim, the remainder is Hindu or Christian. Time: GMT + 5. Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two- or three-pin plugs are in use. Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 92. Outgoing international code: 00. Pakistan is a country of astonishing beauty and diversity, not to mention clear blue skies, stunning mountains and friendly, courteous people. Pakistan displays some of Asia’s most magnificent landscapes as it stretches from the Arabian Sea, its southern border, to some of the world’s most spectacular mountain ranges in the north. Pakistan is also home to sites that date back to word’s earliest settlements rivaling those of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Pakistan is a land of infinite options. You can mingle with the crowds in one of the more sophisticated beach resorts or wander through the historic cities like Lahore, Harappa, Moenjodoro. If it’s an activity holiday you’re looking for, Pakistan is one of Asia’s premier trekking and expedition destinations. Nowhere in the world is such a great concentration of high mountains, peaks, glaciers, and passes except in Pakistan. Of the 14 over 8,000 meters high peaks on our earth planet, four occupy an amphitheatre at the head of Baltoro Glacier in the Karakoram Range: K-2 (8,611 meters, originally called Chogo-ri which in Balti language 'king of the mountains,' of all the world's mountains second only to Mount Everest), Gasherbrum-I (8,068 meters), Broad Peak (8,047 meters) and
