a country in southern Asia, west of India. During the time of the British Empire it was part of India. When India became independent in 1947, Pakistan became a separate state consisting of the two areas where most of India’s Muslims lived: West Pakistan to the west, and East Pakistan to the east. In 1971 there was a civil war between the two parts of the country and East Pakistan became the independent country of Bangladesh . West Pakistan became Pakistan and left the Commonwealth in protest against Bangladesh becoming a member. Pakistan joined the Commonwealth again in 1989. Its capital city is Islamabad and its official language is Urdu. Many Pakistanis now live in Britain.
► Pakistani adj , n .