Culture of Pakistan

Culture of Pakistan (Urdu: ‫ثقافِت پاکستان‬‎S̱aqāfat-e-Pākistān) is intertwined with the culture of

South Asia and Central Asia. Comprises numerous ethnic groups: the Punjabis, Saraikis,
Pothwaris, Kashmiris, Sindhis, Muhajirs, Makrani in the south; Baloch, Hazaras and Pashtuns in
the west; Dards, Wakhi, Baltis, Shinaki and Burusho communities in the north. The culture of
these Pakistani ethnic groups have been greatly influenced by many of its neighbours, such as
the other South Asian, Iranic, Turkic as well as the peoples of Central Asia and West Asia.

The region has formed a distinct unit within the main geographical complex of South Asia, the
Middle East and Central Asia from the earliest times, and is analogous to the intermediary
position of Afghanistan.[1] There are differences among the ethnic groups in cultural aspects
such as dress, food, and religion, especially where pre-Islamic customs differ from Islamic
practices. Their cultural origins also reveal influences from far afield and indigenous, including
Ancient India and Central Asia. Pakistan was the first region of the Indian subcontinent to be
fully impacted by Islam and has thus developed a distinct Islamic identity, historically different
from areas further east.[1]

Literature
Muhammad Iqbal was the ideological father of Pakistan

Pakistani literature originates from when Pakistan gained its independence as a sovereign state
in 1947. The common and shared tradition of Urdu literature and English literature of Greater
India was inherited by the new state. Over a period of time, a body of literature unique to
Pakistan emerged, written in the major languages, including Urdu, English, Punjabi, Pashto,
Seraiki, Balochi, and Sindhi.

Poetry

Poetry is a highly respected art and profession in Pakistan. The pre-eminent form of poetry in
Pakistan almost always originates in Persian, due in part to the long-standing affiliation and
heavy admiration the region's rulers once had for certain aspects of Persian culture. The
enthusiasm for poetry exists at a regional level as well, with nearly all of Pakistan's provincial
languages continuing the legacy. Since the independence of the country in 1947 and
establishment of Urdu as the national language, poetry is written in that language as well. The
Urdu language has a rich tradition of poetry and includes the famous poets Muhammad Iqbal
(national poet), Mir Taqi Mir, Ghalib, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Ahmad Faraz, Habib Jalib, Jazib Qureshi,
and Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi. Apart from Urdu poetry, Pakistani poetry also has blends of other
regional languages. Balochi, Sindhi, Punjabi, Seraiki, and Pashto poetry have all incorporated and
influenced Pakistani poetry. Prominent ethnic poets of Pakistan include Khushal Khan Khattak,
Rahman Baba. Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sachal Sarmast, Baba Fareed, Bulleh Shah, Waris Shah,
Shah Muhammad, Khwaja Farid, and Sultan Baho amongst numerous other poets.[2]
Performing arts

Music

A sitar workshop in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The variety of Pakistani music ranges from diverse provincial folk music and traditional styles
such as Qawwali which is played by men clapping, singing and playing drums and Ghazal Gayaki
to modern forms fusing traditional and Western music.

Pakistan is home to many famous folk singers such as the late Alam Lohar, who is also well
known in Indian Punjab. The arrival of Afghan refugees in the western provinces has rekindled
Dari music and established Peshawar as a hub for Afghan musicians and a distribution center
for such music abroad.

Dances
Punjab
Bhangra - Punjab

Luddi - Punjab

Sammi - Punjab

Jhumar - Saraiki, and Balochi folk dance

Balochistan

Lewa - Baluch folk dance from Makran region

 Chap - Baluch folk dance performed at weddings

Jhumar - Saraiki, and Balochi folk dance

Attan - Pashtun traditional dance from northern regions of Balochistan.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Attan - Folk dance of Pashtuns tribes of Pakistan including the unique styles of Quetta and
Waziristan

Khattak Dance - sword dance of Khattak tribe in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Jhumar and Gatka - Popular dance of hazara division Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Chitrali Dance - Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Kumbar - folk dance of Hazara

Sindh

Dhammal - Performed at Sufi shrines/ dargahs in Punjab and Sindh

Ho Jamalo - Sindhi dance

Jhumro

Drama and theatre

These are very similar to stage plays in theatres. They are performed by well-known actors and
actresses in the Lollywood industry. The dramas and plays often deal with themes from
everyday life, often with a humorous touch.

Visual arts

Painting
Anarkali, by Abdur Rahman Chughtai

During the 16th to 18th centuries, Mughal painting developed, heavily influenced by Persian
miniatures. Abdul Rehman Chughtai, Sughra Rababi, Ustad Allah Baksh, Aboo B. Rana, Ajaz
Anwar, Ismail Gulgee, Jamil Naqsh, Ahmed Pervez, and Sadequain are prominent and
outstanding creative painters of Pakistan. Pakistani vehicle art is a popular folk art.

Architecture
The Lahore Fort, a landmark built during the Mughal era, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The architecture of the areas now constituting Pakistan can be traced to four distinct periods:
pre-Islamic, Islamic, colonial, and post-colonial. With the beginning of the Indus civilization
around the middle of the 3rd millennium[3] B.C., an advanced urban culture developed for the first
time in the region, with large structural facilities, some of which survive to this day.[4] Mohenjo
Daro, Harappa and Kot Diji belong to the pre-Islamic era settlements. The rise of Buddhism,
Guptas, Mouryas, and the Persian and Greek influence led to the development of the Greco-
Buddhist style, starting from the 1st century CE. The high point of this era was reached with the
culmination of the Gandhara style. An example of Buddhist architecture is the ruins of the
Buddhist monastery Takht-i-Bahi in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The arrival of Islam in today's Pakistan introduced the classical Islamic construction techniques
into Pakistan's architectural landscape.[5] However, a smooth transition to predominantly picture-
less Islamic architecture occurred. The town of Uch Sharif contains the tombs of Bibi Jawindi,
Baha'is-Halim, and Jalaluddin Bukhari, which are considered some of the earliest examples of
Islamic architecture in Pakistan and are on the UNESCO Tentative World Heritage Site list since
2004.[6] One of the most important of the few examples of the Persian style of architecture is the
tomb of the Shah Rukn-i-Alam in Multan. During the Mughal era, design elements of Islamic-
Persian architecture were fused with, and often produced playful forms of, local art, resulting in
the establishment of Mughal Architecture. Lahore, occasional residence of Mughal rulers,
exhibits a multiplicity of important buildings from the empire, among them the Badshahi
mosque, the fortress of Lahore with the famous Alamgiri Gate, the colourful, still strongly
Mughal-influenced Wazir Khan Mosque as well as numerous other mosques and mausoleums.
The Shahjahan Mosque of Thatta in Sindh also originates from the epoch of the Mughals, as
does the Mohabbat Khan Mosque in Peshawar.

In the British colonial age, the buildings developed were predominantly of European styles such
as gothic, baroque and neoclassical. The Indo-Saracenic style, with a mixture of European and
Indian-Islamic components, also developed during this period. Post-colonial national identity is
expressed in modern structures like the Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument, the Minar-e-
Pakistan and the Mazar-e-Quaid.

Recreation and sports

The official national sport of Pakistan is field hockey, but cricket and football are the most
popular sports. The Pakistan national field hockey team has won the Hockey World Cup a record
four times, 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994.

The Pakistan national cricket team won the Cricket World Cup in 1992, were runners-up in 1999,
and co-hosted the games in 1987 and 1996. They also won the ICC World Twenty20 in 2009 and
were runners-up in 2007. The team also won the Austral-Asia Cup in 1986, 1990, and 1994. In
2017, Pakistan won the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy against their rival India. The women's team
is yet to win a world cup.

At the international level, Pakistan has competed many times at the Summer Olympics in field
hockey, boxing, athletics, swimming, and shooting. Hockey is the sport in which Pakistan has
been most successful at the Olympics, winning three gold medals (1960, 1968, and 1984). [7]
Pakistan has hosted several international competitions, including the South Asian Federation
Games in 1989 and 2004.

A1 Grand Prix racing is also becoming popular with the entry of a Pakistani team in the 2005
season. The Tour de Pakistan, modeled on the Tour de France, is an annual cycling competition
that covers the length and breadth of Pakistan. Recently, football has grown in popularity across
the country, where traditionally it had been played almost exclusively in the western province of
Balochistan. FIFA has recently teamed up with the government to bring football closer to the
northern areas.

Cuisine
Seekh kebab - one of the famous Pakistani food specialities

Culinary art in Pakistan is mainly a mix of Indian cuisines with Middle Eastern, Central Asian and
Afghan influence. There are variations of cooking practices across the country, mostly from
spicy in Punjab and Sindh to steamed and boiled in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Urban
centers of the country offer an amalgamation of recipes from all parts of the country, while food
with specific local ingredients and tastes is available in rural areas and villages. Different
specialties exist throughout the country mostly different type of rice like Biryani, Pulao or Boiled
rice with vegetables and meat are used with Korma and desserts. There are also local forms of
grilled meat or kebabs, Kheer desserts, and a variety of hot and cold drinks.

Tea culture

A traditional cup of black tea

An example of Pakistani masala chai.

The consumption of tea in Pakistan, where it is called chai (‫)چائے‬, its name in Urdu, is of central
significance to Pakistani culture. It is one of the most consumed beverages in Pakistani cuisine.
Pakistan does produce its own limited tea in Shinkiari (KP) farms, however it ranks as the third
largest importer of tea in the world.[8] In 2003, as much as 109,000 tonnes of tea were
consumed in Pakistan, ranking it at seven on the list of tea-consuming countries in the world.[8]

While green tea has been an ancient tradition in Pakistan for thousands of years, black tea was
originally introduced and popularized during the colonial British era in South Asia. Cities such as
Lahore had one of the most vibrant tea cultures, as the drink quickly absorbed into local culture.
The shield on the State emblem of Pakistan notably features a tea crop in one of its quarters.
Tea is usually consumed at breakfast, during lunch breaks at the workplace, and in the evening
at home. Evening tea may be consumed with typically something sweet such as biscuits or cake
but can also be served with a savory snack such as samosas, depending on the amount of time
one has. Guests are typically offered a choice between tea and soft drinks. It is common
practice for homeowners to offer tea breaks to hired labour, and sometimes even provide them
with tea during the breaks. Tea offered to labour is typically strong and has more sugar in it.

High teas are common at hotels and restaurants, and are usually buffet-style meals with light
snacks.

Tea making techniques vary from home to home, and person to person, but tea is typically made
from loose tea leaves and steeped for a couple of minutes before serving. A teapot and tea cosy
may be used, if time permits, or tea may be steeped directly in the kettle off the heat. After
steeping, the tea is poured into cups through a strainer. Milk may be added before or after the
tea, but sugar is typically offered separately so that each individual may add sugar according to
his or her own taste. Teabags are usually reserved for when time constraints do not enable one
to prepare tea from loose tea leaves.

Tea served is typically black, with milk, although green tea is becoming increasingly popular.
While black tea is very rarely consumed without milk, green tea is never served with milk.

Most of the tea consumed in Pakistan is imported from Kenya. After 1995, the Pakistani
government began to implement a tea plantation project, which established green tea estates in
Pakistan and achieved good performance.

Varieties

Different regions throughout the country have their own different flavors and varieties, giving
Pakistani tea culture a diverse blend. In Karachi, the Black tea and Masala chai (Spiced tea) are
popular while the thick and milky Doodh Pati Chai is more preferred in Punjab. Biscuits and paan
are common delicacies and staples enjoyed with tea. In the northern and western parts of the
country, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and much of Kashmir, the popular green tea
called "kahwah" is predominant.

In Kashmir, Kashmiri chai or "Noon Chai", a pink, milky tea with pistachios and cardamom, is
consumed primarily at special occasions, weddings, and during the winter months when it is
sold in many kiosks. In the further north Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan regions, Central Asian
variants such as salty buttered Tibetan style tea are consumed.

In popular culture

Pakistani tea was praised by Abhinandan Varthaman, an Indian Airforce Pilot who was shot
down by Pakistan Air Force and captured by Pakistan Army for violating Line of Control during
2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes. In a video released by ISPR, Wing Commander
Abhinandan is seen conversing with Pakistan military officials in a congenial environment and
acknowledging that he has been treated well while enjoying Pakistani Tea. Upon being asked
about the tea, Abhinandan replied "The tea is fantastic".[9] This became a catchphrase in
Pakistan as customers began using it to order tea.

The name for Three Cups of Tea, a bestselling book by American mountaineer and educator
Greg Mortenson, is taken from the Balti proverb in northern Pakistan: "The first time you share
tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest.
The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family..."[10]

The British documentary film Tracing Tea briefly covers tea culture in Pakistan.
 Pak Tea House – a tea cafe in Lahore famously known for being visited by prominent
academic intellectuals and literary personalities from all walks of life.

Festivals and observances

Ramadan

Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of fasting from dawn to sunset.
It is widely observed by Pakistan's Muslim majority. Muslims during this month will fast, attend
mosques with increased frequency, and offer "Namaz-traveeh" every day with Isha prayer and
recite Qur'an. Special foods are cooked in greater quantities, parties are held, and special
accommodation is made by workplaces and educational institutes.

Chand Raat

Chand Raat is the Moon night when crescent moon is sighted on last day of Islamic month of
Ramadan and next day is Eid ul-Fitr. In the night known as Chand Raat, people celebrate by
various means, such as girls putting henna on their hands. People buy gifts and sweets that will
be given to friends and families who come over to celebrate the end of Ramadan. The streets,
major buildings, and landmarks, even outside of malls and plazas, put on displays of elaborate
decorations and colorful light shows. There are large crowds in the city center to celebrate the
beginning of Eid, and it is usually a boom time for business.

Eid celebrations

The 17th-century Badshahi Mosque built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Lahore

The two Eids, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha, commemorate the passing of the month of fasting,
Ramadan, and the willingness of Ibrahim(Abraham)to sacrifice his son Ismael(Ishmael) for
Allah. On these days, there are national holidays and many festival events that take place to
celebrate Eid. As Pakistan is a Muslim majority state, there are three days off for all businesses
and government offices.

On the night before Eid, people search for the new moon to mark the end of Ramadan and arrival
of Eid ul-Fitr. The day starts with morning prayers, then returning home for a large breakfast with
family members. The day is spent visiting relatives and friends and sharing gifts and sweets
with everyone. During the evening, Pakistanis often party, visit restaurants or relax in city parks.

On Eid ul-Fitr, money is given for charity and as gifts to young children.

On Eid ul-Adha, people may also distribute meat to relatives and neighbors and donate food to
charity.

Milaad un Nabi

Milaad un Nabi is a known religious festival which is celebrated in all over Pakistan. The Milaad
is the celebration of the birthday of the last Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Muharram (Ashura)

Muharram is a month of remembrance and modern Shia meditation that is often considered
synonymous with Ashura. Ashura, which literally means the "Tenth" in Arabic, refers to the tenth
day of Muharram. It is well-known because of historical significance and mourning for the
martyrdom of Hussein Ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad[11]

Shias begin mourning from the first night of Muharram and continue for ten nights, climaxing on
the 10th of Muharram, known as the Day of Ashura. The last few days up until and including the
Day of Ashura are the most important because these were the days in which Imam Hussein and
his family and followers (including women, children, and elderly people) were deprived of water
from the 7th onward and on the 10th, Imam Hussain and 72 of his followers were martyred by
the army of Yazid I at the Battle of Karbala on Yazid's orders. The surviving members of Imam
Hussein's family and those of his followers were taken captive, marched to Damascus, and
imprisoned there.
With the sighting of the new moon, the Islamic New Year is ushered in. The first month,
Muharram is one of the four sacred months that [Allah] has mentioned in the Quran.

Jashan-e-Baharan

Jashn-e-Baharan sometimes referred to as Basant, is a pre-Islamic Punjabi festival that marks

the coming of spring. Celebrations in Pakistan are centered in Lahore, and people from all over
the country and abroad come to the city for the annual festivities. Kite flying competitions took
place all over the city's rooftops during Basant but are now prohibited. The fertile province of
Punjab was intimately tied via its agriculture to the different seasons of the year. The arrival of
spring was an important event for all farmers and was welcomed with a celebration, hence the
name Jashn (celebration) Baharan (spring).

Independence Day

On 14 August, the people of Pakistan celebrate the day when Pakistan gained its independence
from British India and became an independent state for Muslims of South Asia. The day begins
with gatherings and prayers in mosques all across Pakistan in which people pray for the
betterment and success of their country. Early in the morning, a 21 cannon salute is given to all
those who contributed and lost their lives for attaining Independence. Flag hoisting ceremonies
are held in the capital Islamabad and all capital cities of other provinces. Mega-events are
organized all across the country, in which the people of Pakistan sing their national anthem and
famous classical and pop singers sing various patriotic songs. Famous governmental and
private buildings are decorated with lights and the day is concluded by a spectacular firework in
Major cities of Pakistan.

Defense Day Parade

September 6 is another patriotic day when the Army of Pakistan displays Pakistani weaponry to
the general public. All government officials attend the ceremony and recognitions are awarded to
special people for their work. In March 2007, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) displayed the new
jointly manufactured Chinese-Pakistani aircraft called the JF-17 Thunder.

Popular media

Television
Traditionally, the government-owned Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) has been the
dominant media player in Pakistan. The PTV channels are controlled by the government and
opposition views are not given much time. The past decade has seen the emergence of several
private TV channels showing news and entertainment, such as GEO TV, AAJ TV, ARY Digital,
HUM, MTV Pakistan, and others. Traditionally the bulk of TV shows have been plays or soap
operas, some of them critically acclaimed. Various American, European, Asian TV channels, and
movies are available to a majority of the population via Cable TV. Television accounted for
almost half of the advertising expenditure in Pakistan in 2002.[12]

Radio

The Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) was formed on 14 August 1947, the day of
Pakistani independence. It was a direct descendant of the Indian Broadcasting Company, which
later became All India Radio. At independence, Pakistan had radio stations in Dhaka, Lahore, and
Peshawar. A major programme of expansion saw new stations open at Karachi and Rawalpindi
in 1948, and a new broadcasting house at Karachi in 1950. This was followed by new radio
stations at Hyderabad (1951), Quetta (1956), the second station at Rawalpindi (1960), and a
receiving center at Peshawar (1960). During the 1980s and 1990s, the corporation expanded its
network to many cities and towns of Pakistan to provide greater service to the local people.
Today, there are over a hundred radio stations due to more liberal media regulations.

Cinema

Pakistan's movie industry is known as Lollywood, named after the city of Lahore. Film
production centers also exist in Karachi and Peshawar. The Pakistani film industry produces
over forty feature-length films a year. Bollywood films are also popular in Pakistan but with
recent bad relations with India, they tend to be on the cinema screen much lesser than they used
to do.

National dress
Muslim girl wearing Shalwar kameez, c. 1870

The national dress is shalwar kameez for both men and women. It consists of a long, loose
fitting tunic with trousers baggy enough to not to see the shape of their legs Shalwar kameez; is
a traditional dress worn by both women and men in South Asia and specially Pakistan and India.
Shalwar or salwar are loose pajama-like trousers. The legs are wide at the top, and narrow at the
ankle. The kameez is a long shirt or tunic.[13]

See also

History of Pakistan

Punjabis

Pashtuns

Sindhis

Baloch people

Kashmiris

Balti people

References

1. Basham, A.L. (1968), Pacific Affairs, University of British Columbia, 641-643

 2. Malik, Iftikhar Haider (2006). Culture and Customs of Pakistan (https://books.google.com/books?id=GQT
ABKAGaVgC&q=Khushal+Khan+Khattak+Pakistan&pg=PA62) . Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-
0-313-33126-8.

3. Dehejia, Vidja South Asian Art and Culture (http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/sasa/hd_sasa.htm) .

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved on 10 February 2008

4. The Indus Valley And The Genesis Of South Asian Civilization [1] (http://history-world.org/indus_valley.
htm) Archived (https://www.webcitation.org/68HwtFCFs?url=http://history-world.org/indus_valley.ht
m) 9 June 2012 at WebCite Retrieved on 6 February 2008

5. Architecture in Pakistan: A Historical Overview (http://pakistaniat.com/2006/10/10/pakistan-architecture

-history/comment-page-2/) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20090116062612/http://pakistania
t.com/2006/10/10/pakistan-architecture-history/comment-page-2/) 16 January 2009 at the Wayback
Machine. All Things Pakistan. Retrieved on 10 February 2008

6. UNESCO World Heritage State Parties Pakistan (https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/PK)

Retrieved 9 July 2010.

7. World Hockey (http://www.worldhockey.org/vsite/vcontent/page/custom/0,8510,1181-179831-197049-3

9917-264845-custom-item,00.html) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20070403051711/http://w
ww.worldhockey.org/vsite/vcontent/page/custom/0%2C8510%2C1181-179831-197049-39917-264845-c
ustom-item%2C00.html) 3 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine, International Hockey Federation

8. "Committee on Commodity Problems: Tea Market Studies-Egypt, Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan and
Turkey" (http://www.fao.org/docrep/meeting/009/j5604e.htm) . Fao.org. 22 July 2005. Retrieved 7 June
2018.

9. "Wing Commaneder Abhinandan says Pakistani Army treated him with respect" (https://www.dawn.com/
news/1466413) . Dawn News. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.

10. Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson and
David Oliver Relin, Penguin Books, NY, 2006, p. 150.

11. "Muharram" (https://web.archive.org/web/20121230175607/http://www.theismaili.org/cms/1125/Muh

arram) . 8 December 2010. Archived from the original (http://www.theismaili.org/cms/1125/Muharra
m) on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2010.

12. http://www.warc.com/LandingPages/Data/NewspaperTrends/PDF/Pakistan.pdf Archived (https://web.

archive.org/web/20071006112718/http://www.warc.com/LandingPages/Data/NewspaperTrends/PDF/P
akistan.pdf) 6 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine

13. Koerner, Stephanie; Russell, Ian (2010). Unquiet Pasts: Risk Society, Lived Cultural Heritage, Re-designing
Reflexivity (https://books.google.com/books?id=7li2jpQgYvAC&pg=PA382) . Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
ISBN 978-0-7546-7548-8.

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