The Muslim-world is an extensive and massive area straddling from West-Africa confronting the Atlantic to the Southern-Philippines at the Pacific. The story of this country is truly the greatest one sketching human ideals striving and surviving in the face of hardships and odds.
The tremendous Pakistan emerged as an independent state for more than 60 years ago. This country holds significant place in historical epic of the Asian Subcontinent. It had been the birthplace for the first urban civilization of the world. Being home to great Buddhism, this place served as keystone of the Mughal dynasty.
The Islamic history of Pakistan began during the 8th century with the entrance of Muslim traders in the subcontinent. The Mughals dominated most of the subcontinent in 16th & 17th century. Prior to independence, this state was commanded by local kings and several imperial powers during different times.
It was early 20th century when the leaders started to quiver for a higher extent of autonomy. Simultaneously, formation of Indian National Congress set the ground for All-India Muslim league. With Muslim league, the political history of Pakistan began.
This party was formed in order to protect the rights of the Muslims in the subcontinent. The idea of an independent state for Muslims sprang out during 1930’s when Mr. Jinnah encompassed two-nation theory. It in turn led to the adoption of ‘Lahore Resolution’ in 1940.
Eventually, the tireless efforts of the Muslims under the supervision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah resulted in the creation of a separate country-Pakistan in august, 1947. Pakistan appeared on the world’s map with its couple of wings; East Pakistan & West Pakistan. Mr. Jinnah became the first governor general while Liaqat Ali Khan was appointed as the first Prime Minister of Pakistan.
While adopting the constitution of 1956, Pakistan was declared as an Islamic Republic. The civilian rule got stalled by military in 1958. The second war with India occurred in 1965 during the rule of Ayub Khan.
Political disenfranchisement along with the economic grievances initiated civil war following 3rd war with India. Consequently, the Bengal area of the East Pakistan undergone separation and appeared as an independent state called Bangladesh in 1971.
The civilian rule was restored 1972-1977 with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s rule until his dis-mission by general Zia-ul-Haq. In 1998, Benazir Bhutto became the first female Prime-minister of Pakistan.
Over the next decade, various alternative powers took the charge of the country including; Nawaz Sharif & Pervez Musharraf as Presidents; Zafarullah Khan Jamali, Shaukat Aziz, and Muhammad Mian Soomro as Prime-ministers in different time points until 2007.
Finally, in 2008 Asif Ali Zardari was elected as the President with Yousaf Raza Gillani as Prime-minister. Recently, Yousaf Raza Gillani has been dismissed and Raja Pervez Ashraf is serving as the current Prime-minister of Pakistan.
This nation confronted a gamut of hardships shortly after independence with the death of Jinnah. There was political instability, unemployment, lack of resources and numerous other issues. There are still such big challenges to be dealt with for survival. Violent Islamism is lying above all such challenges that Pakistan is counteracting.
