National Symbols of Pakistan
Father of the Nation -
Quaid-e-Azam or Baba-e-Quam - Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's achievement as the founder of Pakistan, dominates everything else he did in his long and crowded public life spanning some 42 years. Muhammad Ali Jinnah (December 25, 1876 – September 11, 1948) was an Indian Muslim politician and leader of the All India Muslim League who founded Pakistan and served as its first Governor-General. He is officially known in Pakistan as Quaid-e-Azam ("Great Leader") and Baba-e-Qaum ("Father of the Nation.") His birth and death anniversaries are national holidays in Pakistan.
Mother of the Nation - Madar-e-Millat - Fatima Jinnah
Fatima Jinnah (July 30, 1893 — July 8, 1967) was the sister of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan and an active political figure in movement for independence from the British Raj. She is commonly known in Pakistan as Khatoon-e-Pakistan and Madar-e-Millat ("Mother of the Nation.") She was born in Karachi, Pakistan, then a part of British India. She was admitted to the Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College in the University of Calcutta in 1919 and went on to open her dental clinic in Bombay in 1923. She was an instrumental figure in the Pakistan movement and the primary organiser of All India Muslim Women Students Federation. After the formation of Pakistan and the death of her brother, she remained a part of politics. In 1965, Miss Fatima Jinnah ran for President as a candidate of the Combined Opposition Party (COP) however she did not win. She continued to work for the welfare of the Pakistani people until she died in Karachi on July 8, 1967.
Martyr of the Nation - Shaheed-e-Millat - Liaquat Ali Khan
Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan (October 1, 1896 – October 16, 1951) was an Indian Muslim politician who became the first prime minister of Pakistan. Liaquat rose to political prominence as a member of the All India Muslim League. He played an influential role in the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan. In 1947, he became the prime minister of Pakistan, a position that he held until his assassination in October 1951. In Pakistan, he is regarded as the right-hand man of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the leader of the Muslim League and first governor-general of Pakistan. Liaquat was given the titles of Quaid-e-Millat (Leader of the Nation), and posthumously Shaheed-e-Millat (Martyr of the Nation).
National Poet - Dr. Sir Allama Muhammad Iqbal
Sir Muhammad Iqbal (November 9, 1877–April 21, 1938) was an Indian Muslim poet, philosopher, and politician, whose poetry in Persian and Urdu is regarded as among the greatest in modern times. Also famous for his work on religious and political philosophy in Islam, he is credited with first proposing the idea of an independent state for Indian Muslims, which would inspire the creation of Pakistan. He is commonly referred to as Allama Iqbal, Allama meaning Scholar. Iqbal encouraged and worked closely with Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and he is known as Muffakir-e-Pakistan ("The Thinker of Pakistan"), Shair-e-Mashriq ("The Poet of the East"), and Hakeem-ul-Ummat ("The Sage of Ummah"). He is officially recognised as the "national poet" in Pakistan. The anniversary of his birth on November 9 is a holiday in Pakistan.
National Flag - Parcham-e-Sitara-o-Hilal - Flag of Pakistan
The national flag of Pakistan was designed by Syed Amir-ud-Din Kedwai based on the 1906 flag of the All-India Muslim League. It was adopted on August 11, 1947, three days before independence of the country. The flag is commonly known as Sabz Hilali Parcham (lit. Green Flag with the Crescent) and Parcham-e-Sitara aw Hilal (lit. The Flag of the Crescent and Star). The flag comprises a dark green field (representing Muslim majority of the country) with a vertical white stripe in the hoist (left side) (representing non-Muslim minorities). In the centre, there is a white crescent symbolizing progress, and a white five-pointed star (light and knowledge).
National Anthem - Qaumi Tarana
The National Anthem of Pakistan approved by the Government in August 1954, is a harmonious rendering of a three-stanza composition with a tune based on eastern music but arranged in such a manner that it can be easily played by foreign bands. The Anthem is evocative in spirit, extolling Pakistan as the centre of faith and freedom, a land of beauty and strength drawn from the people and the country. The words touch upon the various facets of national life, with an invocation for integrity of Pakistan. The Verses of the Anthem have been composed by a renowned poet of Pakistan, Abul Asar Hafeez Jullundhri; while the tune has been composed by Ahmed G. Chagla, the well known musician and composer. The Anthem written in Urdu is a unique poetical composition, as in spite of its brevity it is a lyrical exultation for the quintessence of Pakistan its Islamic foundation, ideology, ethos, aspirations and its intrinsic strength.
Following is the Urdu Transliteration:
Pak sarzamin shad bad Kishware haseen shad bad
Tunishane azmealishan arze Pakistan
Markazeyaqin shadbad.
Pak sarzamin ka nizam quwate akhuwati awam
Qaum, mulk, Sultanat
Painda ta binda bad shad, bad man zele murad.
Parchame sitarao hilat
Rahbare tarraqio ka mal
Tarjumane mazishane hal jane istaqbal
Sayyai, khudae zul jalal.
Following is the English Wording:
Blessed be the sacred LandHappy be the bounteous realm
Symbol of high resolve
Land of Pakistan
Blessed be thou citadel of faith
The order of this sacred land
Is the might of the brotherhood of the People
May the nation, the country, and the state
Shine in glory everlasting
Blessed be the goal of our ambition
This Flag of the Crescent and Star
Leads the way to progress and perfection
Interpreter of our past, glory of our present
Inspiration of our future
Symbol of Almighty's protection
National Emblem - State Emblem of Pakistan
The State Emblem of Pakistan, which was approved by the Central Government in 1954, symbolises Pakistan's ideological foundation, its cultural heritage, the guiding principles and the basis of its economic strength. The four ingredients of the Emblem are:
The crescent and star crest at the top is a traditional symbol of Islam. The shield in the centre, with four partitions, shows cotton, wheat, tea and jute. These are the main crops of Pakistan and signify the strong agriculture based economy. The wreath surrounding the shield is a reproduction of the floral designs used in traditional Mughal art. Its inclusion in the design reminds of the nation's cultural heritage. The scroll supporting the shield carries the Urdu version of Quaid-e-Azam's famous motto --- "Faith", "Unity", Discipline. These three words articulate the guiding principles for the nation. Unlike other heraldic devices which are emblazoned with symbols representing mythological, historical and geographical features, Pakistan's state emblem gives due recognition to the country's source of inspiration, strength and tradition.
National Motto - Ittihad, Iman, Nazm - Unity, Faith, Discipline
National Days - 23-Mar (Republic Day), 14-Aug (Independence Day), 6-Sep (Defense of Pakistan Day)
National Language - Urdu
National Flower - Jasmine
The national flower of Pakistan is Jasmaine, where it is known as the "Chameli" or "Yasmine". Jasmaine is found in all corners of Pakistan and is grown not only in wild, but in the gardens of almost every household.
National Tree - Deodar
National Animal - Markhor
National Bird - Chakor (Red-legged partridge)
National Sports - Field Hockey (Official sport)
Pakistan - Field hockey is the official national sport while Cricket is the most popular. Polo is the official secondary national sport on a state-level. Pakistan also has had a long history in the game of squash.
