Chronological history of the Sitara Group

Pakistan emerged on the map of the world as an independent sovereign state in August 1947 as a result of the division of the British Indian Empire. The land of Pakistan (Area 796,100 sq. km) including FATA and FANA has population of nearly 135.28 million (census 1998) and is rich in landscapes and cultural traditions. Half a dozen civilizations have flourished here and left their imprint. Historically, this is one of the most ancient lands known to man. Its cities flourished before Babylon was built, its people practiced the art of good living and citizenship before the celebrated ancient Greeks. Pakistan traces its history back to at least 2500 years before Christ, when a highly developed civilization flourished in the Indus Valley area. Excavations at Harappa, Moenjodaro and Kot Diji have brought to light evidence of an advanced civilization flourished in the Indus civilization existing even in most ancient times. Around about 1500 B.C. the Aryans overwhelmed this region, and by and by influenced the Hindu civilization, whose center moved to the Ganges Valley, further east. Later, Persians occupied the Northern regions in the 5^th century B.C. and again and again up to the 2^nd century A.D. The Greeks came in 327 B.C., under Alexander of Macedon and passed away like a meteor. In 712 A.D. the Arabs, led by Muhammad Bin Qasim, landed somewhere near modern Karachi, and ruled the lower half of Pakistan for 200 years. During this time Islam took roots in the soil and influenced the life, culture and traditions of the people.

In the 10^th century A.D. began the systematic conquest of the Indo-Pakistan by the muslims from Central Asia who ruled almost the whole of sub-continent up to the 18th century A.D., when the British became masters of the land and ruled for nearly 200 years - for only 100 years over what is Pakistan now. The muslims revival began towards the end of the last century when Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, renowned muslim leader and educationist, launched a movement for intellectual renaissance of the Indian muslims. In 1930, the well-known poet philosopher, Dr. Allama Mohammad Iqbal conceived the idea of a separate state for the Muslims of the sub-continent and in 1940 the All India Muslim League demanded a separate independent homeland for the Muslims of India by adopting a resolution. After 07 years of untiring struggle under the brilliant leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan emerged on the map of the world as a sovereign state on 14^th August 1947 when the British Indian Empire was partitioned into 02 independent states - India and Pakistan.