Historical Dictionary of Pakistan

Editor’s ForewordSince its hasty and messy creation in 1947, Pakistan has repeatedlybeen in the world news. It has experienced more turbulent internalevents and been involved in more dramatic external ventures than mostcountries. These include partition, wars, coups, the Afghan resistance,internal dissension, and terrorism, as well as a recent deadly earthquake.Nevertheless, it has remained manageable and even made progress, includingwith its economy, which has grown faster than most. Given itssize and location, Pakistan still plays an important role in the region,and what happens there is significant for the world arena. Despite theintensive—if sporadic—media coverage, Pakistan is only superficiallyknown outside its borders.These facts enhance the value of this updated and substantially expandedthird edition of Historical Dictionary of Pakistan. Covering thepast as well as the present and looking at ordinary aspects as well as thesensational, it gives us much of the indispensable background that ismissing in the day-to-day coverage. It reaches back into history to explainhow and why Pakistan was founded; it sheds light on the politicalsystem and the economy; it provides insight into social, cultural, and religiousfactors; and it tells us about the often imposing figures who haveled the country. This is done through concise but informative entries inthe dictionary, which are placed in context by an extensive chronologyand an overarching introduction. Those who want to know more canconsult the bibliography.Shahid Javed Burki, who wrote this third edition and also the twoprevious editions, is a rather special expert on Pakistani affairs. He isnot an academic like most of our authors, but is an economist. He helda number of posts in the Pakistani administration, including chief economistfor the government of West Pakistan and economic advisor to theMinistry of Commerce. He subsequently joined the World Bank wherehe was, among other positions, vice president for the Latin America andvii