Pakistan: A Country Profile

Capital: Islamabad (Islamabad Capital Territory).
Major Cities: Pakistan has seven cities with a population
of 1 million or more: Karachi (9,339,023), Lahore (5,143,495),
Faisalabad (2,008,861), Rawalpindi (1,409,768), Multan
(1,197,384), Hyderabad (1,166,894), and Gujranwala (1,132,509).
Independence: Proclaimed August 14, 1947, from Britain.
Public Holidays: Eid-ul-Azha (Feast of the Sacrifice of Abraham, movable date); Muharram
(Islamic New Year, movable date); Kashmir Day (February 5); Ashura (movable date); Pakistan
Day (signing of first constitution and proclamation of the republic, March 23); Labour Day (May
1); Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, movable date); Independence Day
(August 14); Ramadan commencement (movable date); Iqbal Day (Birthday of Muhammad
Iqbal, November 9); Eid-ul-Fitr (end of Ramadan, movable date); Birthday of Quaid-i-Azam
Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Christmas (December 25).