Ans: Major Features of Pakistani Society and Culture:
. Meaning of Culture:
The identity of a country is due to its culture. When the people of a nation
live together for a long period of time, then they have the following similar
points: mutual values, tradition and customs, local laws, entertainments,
sports, arts and rules of community life. These special aspects make a
nation different and distinct from other nations.
. Edward Tyler has given this definition of culture:
“Culture is related to all types of knowledge and arts, laws and beliefs.
traditions and customs. It is also related to the thoughts and actions of
humans.
Culture is a whole and it thrives due to the intentional or unintentional actions
of people living in an area. In this way their beliefs, customs and traditions,
knowledge and arts, laws and social behaviours are included in it. The
notable characteristics of Pakistani culture and society are given below:
1 Social Values:
In all the provinces and areas of Pakistan, excellent and distinctive social
values are found. Respect for elders, love for the young and showing respect
for women are our values. People share each other’s grief and joy. In rural
areas, panchayats (comprised of elders of the village) solve many disputes
at the local level.
2. Diets:
Different areas of Pakistan have different diet preferences. In the Punjab and
Sindh vegetables, pulses, meat and rice are favourites. In Balochistan and
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa people eat meat, dry and fresh fruits, wheat, barley
and rice. For drinking, people prefer milk and laban (lassi) in the Punjab. In
Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, people prefer green tea (kehwa).
Haifa century back Sajji and Karahi Gosht were dishes limited to Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa and the Northern Punjab. Now these dishes are appreciated
from Peshawar to Karachi and Quetta. Pakistani people enjoy eating meat.
3 Religious Harmony:
When Saints spread Islam in the subcontinent, many people embraced
Islam. At the present time there is religious uniformity in Pakistan. Pakistan’s
most important recognition is Islam even while there are regional, provincial,
lingual, racial and other bases. They give comparatively little importance to
caste and creed, colour and race and regional classes. The constitution of
Pakistan gives complete protection to the minorities. Along with religious
uniformity in Pakistan there is religious toleration as well.
4 Mixed Culture:
In the past people who settled in areas which now comprise Pakistan came
from different areas. Whichever group came, it brought with it its customs,
traditions, festivals, dress, food and style of living. These groups had an
influence on each other and a mixed culture emerged.
5 Dress:
Pakistani dresses are made keeping in mind climatic and religious needs. In the
rural areas of Punjab, men wear dhoti, kurta, shalwar, kamees and turban.
Women like to wear dupatta, shalwar and kurta. In urban areas shalwar kamees,
pants and coat, sherwani and waistcoat are preferred. A baggy shalwar with
many folds is preferred in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. Women
like to wear embroidered clothes. On the occasion of a wedding, the bridal
dresses are very beautiful.
6 Fairs and Urses:
Countless fairs and urses are organized each year in Pakistan. These fairs
and urses reflect our culture. The urses of the great saints, Hazrat Data Ganj
Bakhsh Ali Hajvery (), Hazrat Farid-ud-Din Ganj Shakr )
Hazrat Shah Rukn Aalim Multani ), Hazrat Baha-ud-Din Zikriya
Mela Charaghan) (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ Hazrat Madhu Lai Hussaini (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) Multani
in Sindh,
Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai () in Sindh are held yearly. The
annual fair of Sibbi is also very famous.
7 Sports:
The Pakistani teams of cricket, hockey, and squash etc are world famous.
The tournaments of different sports are held at district, divisional, provincial
and the national level. Polo is extremely popular in Gilgit and the Northern
Areas.
8 Religious Festivals:
The majority of the population of Pakistan is Muslims. They celebrate their
different religions and social festivals with fervour. These festivals include
Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Eid-Milad-un-Nabi (), Shab-e-Meraj and Shab-e-
Baraat. These festivals are an important part of our centuries old culture.
Youm-e-Ashura is observed with religious respect and dignity. In Pakistan,
minorities are also free to celebrate their festivals.
9 Customs and Traditions:
Pakistan citizens behave according to specific customs and traditions on
different occasions. For example when a Muslim child is born, the Azan (call
to Prayer) is recited in his/her ear so that he/she realizes that due to the
blessings of Allah Almighty he/she is born into a Muslim family. When a
Muslim passes away, relatives, near and dear ones and acquaintances
gather at the deceased’s house. After Namaz-e-Janaza, the deceased is
buried. For Isaal-e-Sawaab, Quran Khwani is organized. In Pakistan all
minorities have the right to observe the customs of marriage, death, etc.
according to their religious traditions.
10 Different Arts:
Some important buildings of Pakistan, which are an attraction for tourists,
such as Mausoleum of the Quaid-e-Azam () (Karachi), Badshahi
Masjid, Shahi Qila, Wapda House (all in Lahore), Faisal Masjid (Islamabad),
Masjid Mohabat Khan and Qila of Bala-Hisar (Peshawar), Quaid-e-Azam
Residency building (Ziarat) and Qila of Kalat (Kalat). Handicrafts
have great importance in Pakistan. Men and women make handicrafts.
These handicrafts are much appreciated in foreign countries. The art of painting
in Pakistan is very unique. It is considered Pakistan’s identity. In the art of
calligraphy famous calligraphists in Pakistan have created unrivalled
masterpieces. Works of art of painting and calligraphy belonging to Mughal
times and modern times are displayed in the Lahore Museum and Shahi Qila.