ABSTRACT
Pakistan covers an area of 887,700 square kilometres, which is approxi mately a third of the size of India and almost four times as big as the UK. It has a population of approximately 140 million. Bounded by Iran to the south-west, Afghanistan to the west and north, China to the north-east, In dia to the east and the Arabian Sea to the south, (see Figure 25.1), Pakistan has existed as a political unit since the partition of British India in 1947 when it was created as a ‘homeland’ for India’s Muslims. Since its creation it has had a difficult time, development being hampered by a medieval ag ricultural system, widespread illiteracy, a weak economy and a civil service afflicted with corruption and lethargy. The foreign policy of Pakistan is dominated by a fear of India and this paranoia has resulted in the creation of a military class heavily involved in politics. Pakistan has spent most of its short life under martial law.
