Country Facts

Biggest holidays and celebrations

Ramadan and the two Eid celebrations that follow the holy month, when the country is fasting and business is slower than usual. The dates of Ramadan and Eid holidays vary according to the lunar calendar.

Languages and foreigners

English is the language most commonly used in business, as Pakistan is a former British colony and the third-largest English-speaking country in the world.

Pakistani celebrities you should know

  • Imran Khan, former cricketer and politician
  • Shahid Afridi, cricketer
  • Malala Yousufsai, human rights activist and youngest Nobel Peace Laureate

Historical figures

  • Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of the Nation
  • Allama Iqbal, national poet
  • Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Prime Minister in the 1970s
  • Benazir Bhutto, the first female Prime Minister and first female head of state in Muslim majority nation (in late 1980s to 1990s)
  • Abdul Sattar Edhi, deceased philanthropist

Symbols of identity

National anthem and flag, national colours of white and green, the national dress shalwar kameez, the national monument Minar-e-Pakistan, truck art, Lollywood.

A highly-decorated lorry belches out fumes on a forest road
Truck Art. Photo by Imkashi94

Landmarks and places of cultural significance

  • Faisal Mosque in Islamabad
  • Badshahi Mosque, Lahore
  • Lahore Fort
  • National monument Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore
  • Tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Mazar-e-Quaid) in Karachi

Music genres

A very popular genre is the fusion of traditional music and pop, as featured in Coke Studio and Bollywood hits.

Food taboos and favourites

Pork is not eaten as per Islam. Common dishes are chicken curry, daal (lentils), (chicken) tikka, chicken biryani, bun kebab and favourite desserts are gulab jamun and kheer.