State Emblem of Pakistan

The state emblem of Pakistan, which was approved by the Central Government in 1954, symbolises Pakistan's ideological foundation, its cultural heritage, the guiding principles and the basis of its economic strength.

The four basic ingredients of the emblem are:

1. The crescent and star crest at the top is a traditional symbol of Islam.
2. The shield in the center, with four partitions, shows cotton, wheat, tea and jute. These are the main crops of Pakistan and signify the strong agriculture based economy.
3. The wearth surrounding the shield is a reproduction of the floral designs used in traditional Mughal art. Its inclusion in the design reminds the nation's cultural heritage.
4. The scroll supporting the shield carries the Urdu version of Quaid-e-Azam's famous moto - 'Faith', 'Unity' and 'Discipline'. These three words articulate the guiding principles for the nation.

Unlike other heraldic devices which are emblazoned with symbols representing mythological, historical and geographical features, Pakistan's state emblem gives due recognition to the country's sources of inspiration, strength and tradition.

Over the years certain changes were incorporated in the design. The word 'Pakistan' was inserted on the top in Bengali letters in recognition of Bengali being one of the two national languages. With the establishment of the separate state of Bangladesh, this insertion was deleted.