Conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Conventional short form: Pakistan
Former: West Pakistan

Digraph: PK

Type: Republic (1956, proclamation of republic)

Independence: 14 August 1947 (from British empire)

Capital: Islamabad

Administrative divisions: 4 provinces (Baluchistan, North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Punjab, Sind). There are also seven political agencies Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) within which the laws of Pakistan do not apply. These areas govern themselves.

Executive branch:

Chief of State: President  (elected by Parliament and the four provincial assemblies)
Head of Government: Prime Minister

Legislative branch: Bicameral Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora)

Senate: Upper house of Parliament (elected mainly by provincial assemblies)
National Assembly: Lower house of Parliament (directly elected from provinces with 10 representatives from the religious minorities)

Judicial:

Supreme Court: The superior court and has three fold jurisdiction, namely, original, appellate and advisory
Federal Islamic (Shariat) Court: Decides whether any law is wholly or partially un-islamic