Since its creation in 1947, Pakistan has repeatedly been in the news due to its frequent and turbulent internal upheavals which include military coups, internal dissension, and economic successes and setbacks. Pakistan has also been involved in its share of dramatic external events; the country’s partition, its wars with India, the Afghan resistance, to name a few. Given its size and location, Pakistan plays an important role both in South Asia and in the Islamic world. Thus, events in Pakistan can have a very significant impact in the region and sometimes farther afield.

These facts undergrid the value of the Historical Dictionary of Pakistan. The book reaches back into history to explain how and why Pakistan was founded; it sheds light on the country’s economy and political system; it provides insight into its social and cultural conditions; it profiles the sometimes towering figures who have led the country. And it does so through concise and informative entries organised in an easy-to-refer A-to-Z format. The information packed in the dictionary is placed in context by a chronology and the author’s over-arching introduction. A rich bibliography offers guidance to those seeking more detailed information on different aspects of Pakistan.

Written by a Pakistani economist and scholar with an intimate knowledge of the country, Historical Dictionary of Pakistan is a terrific ready-reference resource for scholars and students, political scientists and political commentators, journalists, diplomats and regional analysts, general public of South Asia and the travellers to the region, offering them solid background to better understand contemporary Pakistan.