Sami Shah is an award-winning comedian and best-selling author, and one of Pakistan's most successful comedians. Yes, Pakistan has comedians.

Sami's travelled to Birmingham - or, to give it its full name, the Islamic Republic of Birmingham - to give a quick guide to the country which has directly and/or indirectly provided the UK with 1.8% of its population: Pakistan.

In this first episode, he looks at the country's political history, from its foundations in British-ruled India right up to the present day.

It's a litany of coups and assassinations, in the middle of which Sami grew up, moved away and came home - to a very different Pakistan from the one he left. Which isn't to say that there weren't more coups and/or assassinations.

Written and performed by Sami Shah.

The Voice of the Guide: Anita Anand

Producer: Ed Morrish

A BBC Radio Comedy production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2015. Show less