Pakistan is a pretty big and important country. It’s regularly in the news and plays an important role in global affairs. There are also Pakistani people all around the globe so it’s a somewhat familiar place to most. However, there is still a lot you probably don’t realise about Pakistan and here are eight facts about Pakistan we’re guessing you didn’t know.
1. Pakistan is a name made up of the various ethnic groups inside the country
Many of us will know that the suffix “-stan” means “land of”, or, “country”. Kazakhstan means “land of the Kazakhs” for example. So that means that Pakistan means land of the Paks, but who are the Paks? Well Pakistan is actually an acronym which stands for the main ethnic groups of modern Pakistan. These are the P unjabs, A fghanis, K ashmiris, S indh and finally Balauchis TAN .
2. Pakistan had the first female Prime Minister of any Muslim majority country
In 1988 Benazir Bhutto was elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, which she served as until 1990. She was Prime Minister again from 1993 to 1996. Hailing from a political family, her father was also President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, as well as her husband being the current President. Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in 2007.
3. 70% of all footballs (soccer balls) are made in one Pakistani city
The city of Siakot is famous for one thing and one thing only – footballs. In this Punjabi city of 1.6 million people there are more than 1000 factories producing the world’s favourite ball.
The city is home to Pakistan’s only privately owned public airport. The city exports more than $2.5 billion USD per year meaning it accounts for more than 10% of the Pakistani economy. The city even has its own private commercial airline, the only one of its type of Pakistan – Airsial.
The balls for the 2014, 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups were produced in Siakot.
4. The computer virus was invented in Pakistan
The world’s first computer virus was produced by two Pakistani brothers in Pakistan and first discovered in 1986. The virus was produced by the two brothers Basit Farooq Alvi and Amjad Farooq Alvi and was called the “Brain” virus. The virus targeted IBM computers.
5. Pakistan has the world’s highest ATM, on the world’s highest paved road, at the world’s highest border crossing
In 2016, the National Bank of Pakistan built an ATM at the Khunjerab border crossing between Pakistan and China. The ATM is located at a staggering 4693m above sea level and therefore is the highest ATM in the world.
As if that record isn’t enough, the Khunjerab bordering crossing between Pakistan and China already held the record for the world’s highest border crossing. AND… the road that joins the two countries, the Karakoram Highway, boasts the record for the highest paved road in the world!
6. Pakistan is home to the highest polo ground in the world
Located at 3700m above sea level, the Shandur Pass is home to the highest polo ground in the world. The journey to the heart of the Himalayas and the “roof of the world” is part of the excitement of coming here.
Each year between the 7 th and 9 th of July, since 1936, the annual Shandur Polo festival is held, which in turn would make it the highest polo festival in the world.
7. Pakistan is one of the few countries where football isn’t the most popular sport
You probably think you know the answer to this one. That cricket is the national sport of Pakistan. This is actually incorrect. The national sport of Pakistan is hockey, known by countries with snow as field hockey, since they also have ice hockey. Cricket is, of course, extremely popular in Pakistan and takes on almost religious undertones, however, the national sport of Pakistan is hockey. An ironic fact given fact number 3 in this list!
8. A Pakistani family holds the record for most birthdays on the same day
When a couple get together and they happen to share the same birthday, it’s a funny coincidence, but when their first born shares the same birthday, things are starting to look a little strange. Imagine then your next six children also all share the same birthday.
This is what happened to a Pakistani family, with nine members who all happen to share the same birthday. In a freak chance of coincidence, a mother, father and seven children all have the exact same birthday. The entire family were born on the 1 st of August.
If this has whet your interest of some of the unusual and unique qualities that Pakistan has and would like to explore this fascinating country, why not join one of our Pakistan tours !
