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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Multani
), Hazrat Madhu Lai Hussairi () (Mela Charaghan),
Hazrat Sayedin Shah
), Hazrat Sachal Sarmast () in Sindh,
Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai
annual fair of Sibbi is also very famous.
Sports:
) in Sindh are held yearly. The
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.
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.
Customs and Traditions:
Pakistan citizens behave according to specific customs and traditions on
different occasions. For example when a Muslim child is bom, the Azan (ca
to Prayer) is recited in his/her ear so that he/she realizes that due to the
blessings of Allah Almighty he/she is bom into a Muslim family. When a
gather at the deceased’s house. After Namaz-e-Janaza, the deceased is
buried. For Isaal-e-Sawaab, Quran Khwani is organized. In Pakistan al
Muslim passes away, relatives, near and dear ones and acquaintances
minorities have the right to observe the customs of marriage, death, etc
according to their religious traditions.
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). Handicrats
handicrafts are much appreciated in foreign countries. The art of painting in
have great importance in Pakistan. Men and women make handicrafts. These
Pakistan is very unique. It is considered Pakistan’s identity. In the art o
masterpieces. Works of art of painting and calligraphy belonging to Mughal
calligraphy famous calligraphists in Pakistan have created unrivalled
times and modem times are displayed in the Lahore Museum and Shahi Qila
Major Social Problems of Pakistani Society:
Pakistani society is faced with the following social problems:
Illiteracy:
educational standards are extremely low, Female literacy rate is lower than
Pakistan lags far behind the developed countries in respect of literacy. Our
the male literacy rate.
Issues of moral standards:
Majority of the Pakistanis take pride in their religion, but the high moral
religious values does not bear upon the practical life of the people. Some
people believe that their belief in providence and destiny requires them to
shun struggle and hard work. Meaningless and superficial rituals have taken
the place of higher religious and humanitarian values like truthfulness,
honesty and sense of responsibility.
Population Growth:
Few years back Pakistan was among the countries having ‘explosive
population growth rate. Our growth rate has slightly decreased but we are
still in the line of counties having high population growth rate. We are not
faced with the shortage of resource but our problem is different, we have
failed to develop our resources in proportion to our growing population and
its needs.
Poverty and Un-equitable Distribution of Wealth:
According to global standards a person earning less than two dollare a day’s
considered to be living below poverty line. Benefits of economic grow have
not reached the common man; the number of people living below povert
line is gradually increasing. Another cause of poverty is debisering
Exorbitant amounts are spent on yearly basis for paying interest of the loss
and retiring debis taken from foreign countries and International funding
Inadequate health facilities:
agencies,
We have not been able to build a healthy nation, many factors are
responsible for this plight Le, enormous population growth rate, economis
crunch and illiteracy. Our life expectancy is very low as compared to the
developing countries, Infant and mother mortality rate is very high
Terrorism and extremism:
Due to perverted religious interpretations and beliefs, we as a nation, have
lost patience and tolerance, Terrorist and extremist elements continue
disrupting peace from time to time, Foreign sponsored terrorists are also a
great threat for law and order situation in the country,