Pakistan

American  

[pak-uh-stan, pah-kuh-stahn] / ˈpæk əˌstæn, ˌpɑ kəˈstɑn /

noun

1. Islamic Republic of, a republic in S Asia, between India and Afghanistan: formerly part of British India; known as West Pakistan from 1947–71 to distinguish it from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). 310,403 sq. mi. (803,881 sq. km). Islamabad.

2. (before 1947) the predominantly Muslim areas of the peninsula of India as distinguished from Hindustan, the predominantly Hindu areas.

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Pakistan British  

/ ˌpɑːkɪˈstɑːn /

noun

1. a republic in S Asia, on the Arabian Sea: the Union of Pakistan, formed in 1947, comprised West and East Pakistan; East Pakistan gained independence as Bangladesh in 1971 and West Pakistan became Pakistan; a member of the Commonwealth from 1947, it withdrew from 1972 until 1989; contains the fertile plains of the Indus valley rising to mountains in the north and west Official language: Urdu. Official religion: Muslim. Currency: rupee. Capital: Islamabad. Pop: 193 238 868 (2013 est). Area: 801 508 sq km (309 463 sq miles)

2. a former republic in S Asia consisting of the provinces of West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), 1500 km (900 miles) apart: formed in 1947 from the predominantly Muslim parts of India

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Pakistan Cultural  

1. Republic in southern Asia, bordered by India to the east, the Arabian Sea (an arm of the Indian Ocean) to the south, Iran to the southwest, and Afghanistan to the west and north.

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Discover More

Pakistan became part of British India in 1857. When India gained its independence in 1947, Muslim leaders demanded a separate Muslim state, and the nation of Pakistan was established. Originally, Pakistan consisted of two regions, West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

In 2001, Pakistan's president allowed the United States to use his country as a base to attack Afghanistan for harboring Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda members.

In 1998, Pakistan successfully conducted tests of nuclear weapons.

Example Sentences

In a written response included in the report, Pakistan insisted "no hospital, drug rehabilitation centre, or civilian facility was targeted".

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

In a statement to the BBC, Pakistan's military said: "Pakistan, the region, and the wider world continue to face the grave threat of terrorism emanating from territory under the control of the Afghan Taliban regime."

From BBC • May 12, 2026

Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban government of sheltering militants behind a surge in attacks -- particularly the Pakistan Taliban, who have waged a violent campaign for years.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

Vice President JD Vance had flown to Pakistan for nothing.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

She’s wearing a green-and-white silky shalwar kameez—the colors of the Pakistan flag—and a matching white hijab that makes her almost radiant.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan