Pakistan
"Pak sarzamin shad bad" (Blessed Be The Sacred Land)

Words by: Abu-Al-Asar Hafeez Jullandhuri
Music by: Ahmed Ghulamali Chagla
Adopted: 1954

A committee to select a national anthem for Pakistan was formed in December 1948 (a year after independence). A member of the committee, Ahmed Ghulamali Chagla, was asked to produce a composition. Mr. Chagla's background in music involves study in both western and eastern music, and characteristics of eastern music can be found in the anthem.

After some "test runs" which included performances for the Prime Minister, for a visiting head of state, for the Prime Minister's visit to the United States, and finally for the committee itself. It was then approved by the anthem committee in August 1950 and gained official recognition in December 1953. The words were composed by another member of the committee and officially approved in August 1954.