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Pak Studies Book English Medium CH

The document discusses population trends in Pakistan based on census data and economic surveys. It notes that Pakistan has a rapidly growing population that is currently around 188 million, making it the 6th most populous country. The population is unevenly distributed, with higher densities in Punjab province and lower densities in Balochistan. Around 72% of Pakistanis live in rural areas, though urban populations are growing as more migrate to cities for opportunities.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
1K views28 pages

Pak Studies Book English Medium CH

The document discusses population trends in Pakistan based on census data and economic surveys. It notes that Pakistan has a rapidly growing population that is currently around 188 million, making it the 6th most populous country. The population is unevenly distributed, with higher densities in Punjab province and lower densities in Balochistan. Around 72% of Pakistanis live in rural areas, though urban populations are growing as more migrate to cities for opportunities.

Uploaded by

Rans Gulbaz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Chapter 9

Population, Society and Culture


of Pakistan
Students’ Learning Outcomes
After studying this chapter, the students will be able to:
1. Discuss the growth and distribution of population in Pakistan.
2. Analyse the rural-urban composition of Population and the geographical
distribution.
3. Discuss the gender composition of population in Pakistan.
4. Explain the basic features of Pakistani society and the major social problems
faced by it.
5. Discuss the educational and health conditions in Pakistan.
6. Identify the major features of Pakistan’s culture and commonality in regional
cultures leading to National Integration and cohesion.
7. Trace the origin and evolution of national and regional languages.
8. Trace the role of minorities in Pakistan with specific reference to the
Quaid-e-Azam’s speech of 11 August 1947, defining their status.

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(A) Growth and Distribution of
Population in Pakistan
Pakistan is a densely populated country. Density of population means the average
number of people living in a square kilometre. Pakistan is the 6th largest country in
the world with respect to population. The first five countries in order of population are
China, India, America, Indonesia and Brazil. According to the Economic Survey of
Pakistan 2013-14, the population of Pakistan is 188.02 millions. It is increasing at the
rate of 1.95% per annum.
The rapid growth in population can be seen from the facts that according to the census
of 1998, Pakistan’s population was 13 crore, 23 lakh, and 52 thousand. This increased
to more than 18 crore 8 lakh in 2014. Two important points are kept in view in reference
to population: first, its distribution and secondly its rate of growth. The census of 1998
shows that the density of population in Pakistan was 164 persons per square kilometre.
The latest statistics show that it is in excess of 236 persons per square kilometre.
That means that the area is the same but population is increasing rapidly. That is why
Pakistan is included in the list of densely populated countries. In 1950, with respect to
population, Pakistan was the 13th largest country in the world. If the rate of growth in
population remains the same, by 2050 Pakistan will become the 5th largest country of
the world.
According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2013-14, important information about
Pakistan’s population is given below:

Population of Pakistan 188.02 million


Urban population 72.50 million
Rural population 115.52 million
average age of females 66.9 years
average age of males 64.9 years

1. Density of population in relation to provinces


The Punjab is the largest province of Pakistan in population. About 54% of Pakistan’s
population lives in the Punjab. On average, 499 persons live in a square kilometre in the
Punjab. In Balochistan there are on average 28 persons per square kilometre. In Sindh
the average number of persons per square kilometer is 318 and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
it is 339.

2. Census
To develop a meaningful and successful plan for any country, the essential facts about
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different aspects of population should be available, such as total population and its
regional distribution, ratio of rural and urban population, growth rate, population per
kilometre, education and educational ability and significant professions of the people
etc are on top. The process of obtaining these facts and figures is called a census. A
census is held after every 10 years. The first census in the Indo- Pak subcontinent was
held in 1881. After the creation of Pakistan, census has been held 5 times. The details
are given below:
Year of census Population (approximately)
1951 3.37 crore
1961 4.28 crore
1972 6.53 crore
1981 8.42 crore
1998 13 crore 23 lakh

(B) The Factors Affecting the Distribution


and Density of Population
No country has uniform distribution and density of population. Some areas are heavily
populated, some lightly populated and some have an average population. Many factors
affect the distribution and density of population. Some are natural factors and some are
human factors. Their details are given below:

1. Geographical factors
An area which has level, soft and fertile land is easy to populate. Here resources and
means of living can be easily obtained by farming and gardening. In such areas, living,
building houses and obtaining the necessities of life is relatively easy. That is why
these areas are overpopulated. On the other hand, rugged terrain, mountains, forests,
or barren and wasteland areas are not suitable for living. That is why such areas have
a very small population. The plain areas of Pakistan where the soil is very fertile
and cultivable have a dense population, such as the River Indus Plain, the valleys of
Peshawar and Mardan, etc.

2. Climate
The health of people living in a favourable climate is good. Timely rainfall leads to
high agricultural production and abundant availability of food. That is why such areas
usually are heavily populated. Large ancient cities existed near river banks. Temperate
and semi hot climates where there is a lot of rainfall become densely populated. The

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climate of our northern mountain ranges is very cold. The climate of Balochistan plateau
and desert areas is extremely hot. That is why these areas are sparsely populated. The
northern areas of the Punjab and Karachi have a temperate climate so they are densely
populated.

3. Mineral resources
In the areas which have valuable mineral reserves e.g. coal, iron, oil, gas or precious
stones etc, many people there gather to earn a livelihood. In such areas, there are means
of transportation as well. Near such areas, mills and factories are also established. Large
industrial cities come into being and population increases, like the Potowar Plateau in
Pakistan.

4. Water reserves
Most of the population of the world is settled around water reserves. For example, the
largest and most densely populated city of Pakistan, Karachi is located along the coast
of the Arabian Sea. In Punjab and Sindh, cities with more population are settled near
rivers, whereas shortage of water in areas distant from water sources leads to small
population there.

5. Trade and industrial areas


The areas which are located on or near trade highways have an increase in population.
Besides land routes, sea and air routes hold great importance as well. Therefore, those
cities and areas which have large seaports and airports along with trade markets, grow
in population as well. Those areas where industries are located provide sources of
income and so have more population. Faisalabad has become the 3rd largest city of
Pakistan due to industrial development. Industries are also one of the reasons for the
dense population of Karachi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, etc.

6. Political and social conditions


The areas which have peaceful political conditions and where people have social
freedom and economic facilities are heavily populated. Sometimes for religious,
political or social reasons people are forced to move from one area to another. Such
was the migration of millions of Muslims from India to Pakistan at the time of partition.
They settled in different areas of Pakistan.

(C) The Rural and Urban Distribution


of Population
According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2013-14, 72.50 million population
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of Pakistan lives in cities, while the rest lives in villages. Facilities like electricity,
gas, telephone, road, education, etc. are not only more but also better in cities than in
villages.
In the present times the population of cities is increasing fast. People not only move to
cities for better facilities of education, medical and livelihood but also for raising the
standard of living.
The population of Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Nawabshah,
Rawalpindi and Gujranwala etc, has increased quickly in the past few years. Two-thirds
of the population of Pakistan lives in villages, and depends on agriculture for their
livelihood. There is a scarcity of modern facilities of life like water, electricity, schools,
colleges, hospitals, and trade centres in villages. As there is less availability of social
activities and means of earning livelihood in villages, people are moving towards cities.
Due to this trend of migration, the load of overpopulation is increasing continuously to
an alarming level in cities. This is leading to problems arising in housing, employment,
education, entertainment, transport and many other necessities of life. According to
the census of 1998, composition and geographical distribution of urban and rural
population is given below:

Administrative Population in Rural Urban Average


Unit 1998 population population percentage
(In thousands) of population
Pakistan 132352 89316 43036 100.0
Punjab 73621 50602 23019 55.6
Sindh 30440 15600 14840 23.0
Khyber 17744 14750 2994 13.4
Pakhtunkhwa
Balochistan 6566 4997 1569 5.0
Islamabad 805 276 529 0.6
FATA 3176 3091 850 2.4

(D) Gender-wise Distribution of Population


Gender-wise distribution of population means division of population on the basis of
being male or female. According to the facts and figures of 2013-14, males constitute
about 51.35% of the total population of Pakistan, while females constitute about
48.65% of it. People move to urban areas from rural areas in search of work. Most of
these people are males. That is why urban areas have a larger number of males while
rural areas have a low number of males. Facts and figures show that the rate of birth of
males in Pakistan is more than that of females. These facts can be declared to be very
97
suitable for economic development and activities. In the labour force males are 86.5%
while females are 13.5%. It is possible to increase economic development in Pakistan
by making individuals skilled.

(E) Literacy rate in Pakistan


According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2013-14, the literacy rate in Pakistan was
60%. In urban population this rate was 76% and in rural population it is 51%. According
to the education policy of 2009, it was the government of Pakistan’s determination to
raise the literacy rate to 86% by 2015. For this purpose the government decided to take
many measures such as:
i. Allocating a higher budget to education in the yearly development budget.
ii. Raising the status of Middle schools to High and High Schools to Higher
Secondary.
iii. Paying attention to arts and technical education along with the regular courses.
iv. Paying special attention to improve water, sanitary and recreational facilities in
educational institutions. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2013-
14, the literacy rate in the four provinces is as follows:
Province Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of
literacy rate literacy in urban literacy in rural
population population
Punjab 62 77 55
Sindh 60 77 42
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 52 66 49
Balochistan 44 65 37

(F) Educational Condition in Pakistan


The government of Pakistan considers education to be the basic right of every citizen
and is striving for the development of the education sector. The experiences of the
developed countries show that the development of the education sector depends on
collective educational income. To progress economically and socially it is important
to invest in the education sector. Education and economic and social development are
mutually interdependent. Despite the fact that for a long period of time, attention was
not paid to this sector, but now better planning is being done for the promotion of
education. According to the census of 1951, the literacy rate in Pakistan was 16%, in
1998, it was 45%, and facts and figures of 2013-14 show that it was 60%. This increase
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is still small compared to that of some other developing countries. For the growth in
economic development, it is necessary that the literacy rate should be high.

(G) Educational structure of Pakistan


The educational structure of Pakistan is divided into the following stages.

1. Prep and Primary education


The education before Class One is called Prep. This usually includes children aged
between 3 and 4 years. From Class I to Class 5 is called primary education which is
imparted in primary schools and masjid schools. The federal and provincial governments
are trying to establish primary schools in every village so that all citizens are given
similar educational opportunities.

2. Middle, Secondary and Higher Secondary Education


In Pakistan, middle education is from class 6 to class 8. Secondary education is from
class 9 to class 10. Higher secondary education comprises Class 11 and Class 12.
Higher secondary education has a course duration of 2 years in which the courses
taught are Arts, Science and Commerce. The Class 5 and Class 8 exams are held under
the supervision of Ministry of Education. The exams of Class 9 to Class 12 are held
under the supervision of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education.

3. University Education
After Higher Secondary the University education commences. Many universities in
the country have been established for education of this level. There are many types of
university education. This education includes the degrees of B.A, B.Sc, M.A. and M.Sc.
M.Phil, Ph.D. Many colleges provide higher education as well. For professional studies
students have to get admission to professional colleges. For subjects like Commerce,
Agriculture and other arts related branches of knowledge, there are colleges and
universities established for this purpose.

(H) Educational problems of Pakistan


The important educational problems of Pakistan are given below:
i. Pakistan is facing the problem of overpopulation. Due to this the number of
educational institutions is falling short. Students are not getting adequate
opportunities to study. The majority of students in Pakistan belong to poor and
middle class families. Poor parents are unable to send their children to school
due to bad economic conditions. This leads to a low literacy rate.

99
ii. Healthy extracurricular activities, sports, debates, poetry recitation, speeches,
seminars and study tours help in the moral upbringing and personality
development of students. The facilities for these activities in our educational
institutions are limited.
iii. The majority of parents in Pakistan want to make their children either engineers or
doctors. The student’s aptitude and mental capacity are not considered. Students
are forced to study science subjects which place a psychological pressure on
them.
iv. The budget allocated for education in Pakistan is insufficient. There is a scarcity
of teachers as well.
v. There are some faults in our examination system. This includes rote learning
done by students, trend towards cheating, question papers being leaked prior to
the exams, the attitude of the examination staff, shortage of time and the method
of assessing papers. To increase the intellectual capacity and performance of
students, the system of exams should be made transparent and effective.
vi. Political interventions also create problems in the education system of Pakistan.
Students become directly involved in politics which affects their educational
future.
vii. Different courses are taught in Pakistan in government and private educational
institutes. This dual system of education also takes the form of an educational
problem. This lack of a uniform system of education is harmful for Pakistan’s
unity and solidarity.
viii. Most of the educational institutions of Pakistan face the problems, of lack of
basic facilities such as clean water problem, electricity shortage, faulty system
of sanitation, hostels and transport problems. Many students are deprived of
education due to these problems.

Suggestions for the solution of educational problems


Some important suggestions for the solution of educational problems are given below:
i. Keeping in view the requirements of the increasing population, new educational
institutions should be set up. The budget allocation for education should be
increased.
ii. A uniform system of education should be implemented in the whole country.
iii. The examination system should be set right. Cheating and other unfair means
should be checked.
iv. Students should keep a distance from political activities. They should concentrate

100
only on their education.
v. Teachers should be encouraged.
vi. All government educational institutions must be provided with sports fields,
clean drinking water and other facilities.
vii. Art and technical subjects should be included in the curriculum.
viii. In madrassa schools science and other conventional subjects should also be
taught.
ix. Educational institutions should be provided with facilities for healthy
extracurricular activities and social hobbies.
x. Subjects should be taught according to the aptitude and mental capacity of
students.
xi. Improvements should be brought about in the education sector to dispel the
worries of students.

Governmental Measures
i. To hasten the pace of educational development, the following are the measures
taken by the government:
ii. Provision of free education and free textbooks from Prep to Secondary level.
iii. Provision of scholarships for students for their elementary education.
iv. Restructuring of the curriculum keeping in view the future needs, and on
scientific basis.
v. Cooperation with government and private sector and their wholehearted
encouragement for the promotion of technical, vocational and scientific education.
vi. Improving the standard of higher education for socio-economic development.
vii. Establishment of more and more universities for higher education, at governmental
and private levels.
viii. Establishment of ‘’Education Foundation’’ for the solution of educational
problems at national and provincial levels.
ix. Revolutionary efforts in the field of information technology.

Health Condition in Pakistan


In Pakistan the health department is under the control of provincial government. Its
head is the Health Minister. The Health Minister, together with the provincial cabinet,
decides upon policies for the whole province. At village level Lady Health Visitors
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(LHV) fulfill their duties. At primary level Basic Health Units and Rural Health Centres
are established. District Governments control Tehsil Headquarter Hospitals and District
Headquarter Hospitals at secondary level. Besides these, teaching hospitals, mental
health institutes, cardiology institutes and children’s hospitals are directly under the
control of the provincial government.

Establishment of medical colleges and various medical institutions


Presently there are many medical colleges and medical universities in the country which
fulfill medical needs. Institute of Public Health and University of Health Sciences are
established in Lahore. Pakistan Nursing Council and Medical and Dental Council were
established in Islamabad. Hospitals for heart diseases, burn units, and mother and child
care units are built in the large cities of Pakistan. They provide timely medical care to
patients and are involved in the effort to save their lives.

Eradication of diseases
There are efforts underway in Pakistan (with the cooperation of the United Nations
and other countries) for the eradication of polio, chicken pox, malaria, tuberculosis,
cholera, cancer, leprosy, AIDS, dengue and other fatal diseases. For the eradication of
polio, a drive was started in 1985 which is still in progress. According to the facts and
figures of 2013-14, a table of the medical facilities in Pakistan is given below.
Total government hospitals in Pakistan 1096
Basic Health Units 5527
Dispensaries 5310
Rural Health Centers 650
Registered doctors 167759
Registered dentists 13716
Registered nurses 86183
One bed in a hospital 1647 persons against one bed
Only one doctor available for 1099 people
Only one dentist available for 13441 people

Problems faced by the Health Sector


i. There is an abundance of diseases and the facilities for treatment are limited and
below standard.
ii. Another important reason for medical problems in Pakistan is overpopulation
which is much more when compared to that in developed countries. This

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overpopulation has paralysed the medical structure of the country and we are
faced with countless medical problems.
iii. In Pakistan, due to different contagious and fatal diseases countless people die
each year. Besides malaria, cholera and tuberculosis, illnesses like heart diseases,
cancer and blood pressure are also becoming common.
iv. Nutritional imbalance and poor health are creating lack of immunity.
v. One important cause for diseases in Pakistan is the adulteration of food items.
This leads to lower health standards in people.
vi. Due to illiteracy people are not familiar with the rules of health safety. There are
countless heaps of dirt and garbage everywhere. Houses are not airy and well lit.

Solutions to problems faced by the Health Sector


i. A larger budget should be allocated for the health sector by the government.
ii. Hospitals should be provided with medical facilities. The problems of shortage
of doctors and other staff should be overcome. Overpopulation should be
controlled.
iii. People should be made familiar with health safety rules and the importance of a
balanced diet. Rate of population growth should be controlled effectively. Steps
should be taken to check the adulteration of food and drink items.
iv. Non-qualified doctors (popularly called ‘quacks’) should be discouraged. The
people should be made aware of the problems that such non-qualified doctors
can create for patients.

Major Features of Pakistani Society and Culture


Meanings 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
103
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. Foods
Different areas of Pakistan have different food 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). Half a 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 uniformity
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, kameez and turban. Women like
to wear dupatta, shalwar and kurta. In urban areas shalwar kameez, 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

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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 Shakr Ganj, Hazrat Shah Rukn Aalim Multani, Hazrat Baha-ud-
Din Zikriya Multani, Hazrat Madhu Lal Hussain (Mela Charaghan), Hazrat Sayedin

Shah, Hazrat Sarmast 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.

105
8. Religious festivals
The majority of the population of Pakistan are 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.

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), Alfalah Building, Badshahi Mosque, Shahi
Qila, Wapda House (all in Lahore), Faisal Mosque (Islamabad), Mosque Mohabat Khan
and Qila of Bala-Hisar (Peshawar), Quaid-e-Azam Residency building (Ziarat) and
Qila of Qallat (Qallat). 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.

106
Commonality in Regional Cultures Leading to
National Integration and Cohesion
The effects of Islamic values
There are effects of Islamic values thriving in South Asian cultures on regional cultures
of Pakistan. The Muslims coming to South Asia gave the people a new lifestyle whose
central values include, brotherhood, equality, social justice and honesty. These new
values appealed to the local people who were in the grip of a caste system. In a short
span of time Islam spread to all corners of South Asia. Today these regional cultural
similarities are a source of integration and cohesion.

Provincial cultures
All four provinces of Pakistan have their provincial cultures. There are differences in
civilization to some extent, present in their customs and traditions and lifestyles. In
spite of regional and linguistic differences, with the passage of time regional cultural
similarities are thriving. Despite living in different regions, people have the feeling of
being close to each other and have a sense of being linked to each other. This gives
birth to integration and cohesion. National identity is strengthened which is quite
encouraging.

Era of Muslim rulers


In the Indo-Pak subcontinent, during the era of Muslim rulers, there was great
development in knowledge and literature, music, painting, construction, calligraphy
and languages. In these areas, the prominent works of Muslim artists are our cultural
heritage, and are a means of our recognition. In spite of different regional affiliations
(Punjabi, Sindhi, Pathan, Baloch) Pakistani people have feelings of brotherhood.
Common religious beliefs foster unity.

Education System
Our education system, the subjects and topics taught are also a source of focusing
attention on cultural similarities. This increases joint cultural values. For the growth of
culture, the minds of children are trained on national lines. Common cultural values are
inculcated in them.

Regional Mystical (Sufiana) poetry and literature


Our regional mystical poetry and literature is also a source of expression of our common
cultural heritage. This is present equally in the literature of all areas. There are lessons
of mysticism, humanity, peace and justice, love and cooperation in the works of all

107
authors and poets of national and regional languages. The poets include Hazrat Sultan
Bahu, Baba Bulley Shah and Waris Shah from the Punjab, Hazrat Sachal Sarmast and
Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai from Sindh, Rahman Baba from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and
Gul Khan Naseer from Balochistan. These all religious personalities gave the same
teachings of love, attachment and brotherhood.

Local means of information


Our means of information are also a source of expression of similar and varied cultural
elements. Cultural similarities prosper due to this and national integrity, cohesion and
harmony are promoted.

Urdu language as cohesion


Urdu has a vital role in producing cohesion in Pakistan. This language is not associated
with a specific region or racial group of Pakistan. It is spoken and understood all over
Pakistan. It is Pakistan’s national language as well as the language of communication.
People of Pakistan have a special relation with it and a liking for it. After the creation
of Pakistan, Urdu was given the status of the national language. For its development
and propagation Urdu has been made the source of education. The establishment of
the Federal Urdu University holds a prominent place in the progress of Urdu. Urdu has
developed greatly but further development is required so that it plays an effective role
as a language for education, courses and for official use.

Major Social Problems of Pakistan


Some big social problems of Pakistan are given below:

1. Inflation
The fast growing population of Pakistan is showing negative effects on its per capita
income. Opportunities for savings are getting fewer and the standard of living is falling.

2. Disorderly state of health and cleanliness


Many precious lives are lost each year due to the disorderly state of health and
cleanliness. Despite scientific development, people lack awareness of the rules of good
health.

3. Illiteracy and ignorance


Illiteracy and ignorance are major problems faced by Pakistan. People cannot
differentiate between right and wrong due to illiteracy, and cannot play an important
role in the economic development of the country.

108
4. Weak economy
A lot of people are unemployed because of the country’s weak economy. This leads to
turmoil in the country.

5. Poverty
There is a lack of appropriate employment opportunities and due to poverty the
standard of living of people is low. For the eradication of poverty it is important that
new employment opportunities should be created and resources should be improved.

6. Unequal distribution of wealth


Unequal distribution of wealth leads to the rich getting richer and the poor becoming
poorer. This is creating many problems.

National and Regional Languages

Urdu
Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and also holds the status of a symbol of
national identity. It is a language of communication. During the Muslim role in South
Asia people from different areas were recruited in the army (lashkar) of those days.
These people were Punjabi, Sindhi, Pathan, Bengali, Baloch, Arab, Irani, Turkish,
Hindustani, etc. These people spoke different languages. While in the army, their
mixing up with each other created a new language, Urdu (lashkar). Urdu is a Turkish
word which means ‘army’.

Gradual development of Urdu


●● In the beginning it was called Hindwi, Hindi and Hindustani. Later it was called
Reekhta. In this way Urdu acquired and changed different names in different
ages.
●● During different stages as it changed names, it changed its nature as well e.g.
Amir Khusro is considered to be an ancient poet of Hindi.
●● When it was called Reekhta, Mushafee was famous. At the time of its being
called Urdu-e-Muala, Mirza Ghalib and Zauq were its famous poets.
●● In 1647 Shah Jahan made Delhi as his capital instead of Agra. This led to people
speaking Lashkari and Delhi languages living in the same market (place). The
emperor suggested that this market be called Urdu-e-Muala. Therefore the
language being spoken there was called Urdu-e-Muala or Dehlavi language.
●● When this language reached Deccan and Gujarat, it was also called Deccani
and Gujrati. Seeing its popularity, the rich people made special efforts for its
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development. In this way it rose from being a language of daily communication
to the level of being a language in which literature was written.
Beginning of Urdu Poetry
●● According to modern research Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the ruler of
Golkanda, compiled the first Deewan (collection of poetry).
●● The Deccan poet, Wali Decni, is included in the early poets of Urdu.
●● The poets of Dehli School who widened the scope of Urdu literature include
Mirza Muhammad Rafi Sauda, Mir Taqi Mir and Khawaja Mir Dard.
●● Besides Delhi and Deccan, the popularity of Urdu spread to the states of Oudh
and Lukhnow. Along with Ghazal (collection of couplets) the art of Marsiya
telling (elegy) thrived as well. Urdu was blessed with poets like Anees and
Dabir.
●● In the early decades of the 19th century, there was great development in Nazm
(thematic poem) writing. During this time, esteemed poets like Zauq, Mirza
Ghalib and Bahadur Shah Zafar were born. Along with his Ghazal, Mirza
Ghalib’s prose is an important treasure of Urdu literature. In this age Maulana
Haali wrote the Musaddas (a poem of 6 line units) and shook the whole nation
to make them realize their great heritage.
●● After this the sun of the philosophy and poetry of Allama Iqbal (poet of the
east) rose. Through his poetry he tried to convince the Muslims of South Asia
that they were the inheritors of an esteemed cultural, civil and ideological
inheritance. Allama Iqbal wrote his poetry in Urdu and Persian both. His poetry
was so popular amongst the people that some persons had even memorized his
lengthy poems. After Allama Iqbal, under the influence of modern literature, a
progressive movement started in Urdu literature.

The role of prose writers in the development of Urdu


●● After the 1857 War of Independence there was a prominent change in the
political and social conditions. This led to a new direction being taken by the
creative Urdu literature.
●● Owing to the Aligarh Movement started by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, along with
Muslims social development, the prose of Urdu literature developed prominently
as well.
●● Sir Syed and his contemporaries experimented with Urdu Nazm and prose
and introduced Urdu in new forms. In this age the nation’s pain and feelings
were presented collectively. At the same time Maulana Shibli presented Islamic
history in a new manner.

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●● During the struggle for independence and after the creation of Pakistan, there
was an atmosphere of freedom and confidence in the development of Urdu
literature. Different authors wrote prominent works in their forms of literature.
The forms worth mentioning include research and criticism, poetry, novel
writing, drama writing and story writing.

Regional Languages
A study of the beginning and development of a few famous regional languages of
Pakistan is given below:

1. Punjabi
Punjabi is an ancient language of the Punjab. Its link is with the ancient Darawari or
Harpai language. Due to historical and geographical changes, it has six major accents
and dialects. These are called by different names. Shah Puri, Majhi, Chachi, Saraiki,
Dhani and Pothwari are some of these. The best is considered to be the Majhi accent
which is in use in Lahore and the areas surrounding it.
The knowledge and literature of Punjabi can be traced to Mahmood Ghaznavi’s times.
The topics of poetry of that time were mysticism, love and romance, and patriotism.
This brings to mind the name of Hazrat Baba Farid Ganj Shakar. Guru Nanak was also
a great poet of Punjabi. Then comes the age of Sultan Bahu, Baba Bulley Shah and
Khawaja Farid. Along with mysticism, the colour and effects of the social and political
situation of their age were dominant in their works. The expression of these can be seen
in special and commonly understood symbols. This is the reason for their verse being
so popular amongst people.
Folk tale has a special position in Punjabi poetry. The famous poets who gave folk
tale a poetic touch are Waris Shah (Qissa Heer Ranjha), Hashim Shah (Qissa Sassi
Punnu), Hafiz Barkhurdar (Qissa Mirza Sahiban), Fazal Shah (Qissa Sohni Mahiwal)
etc. These tales not only have excellent poetry but also contain forceful reflections of
the history of the Punjab of those times – its social, religious and economic life.
Among the works of famous Punjabi novel writers, the novels of Dabir Singh, Meeran
Singh and Sayedan Buksh Minhas are very famous. There is no counterpart of Punjabi
literature as it presents a forceful, effective and blunt picture. It has the ability to express
the tiniest feelings of life in its forms of narration. These include waar, dhot, mahiya,
dohay, ghori, sithniyaan, tappay, simmi, boliyaan, etc.
After the 20th century, different people did invaluable work in novel writing, drama
writing, narrative writing, research and criticism and other forms of prose. Television
and radio have served to develop modern drama writing. In the department of Punjabi
of the University of the Punjab, the courses of MA Punjabi and Ph.D. are taught.

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2. Sindhi
Sindhi is an ancient language which is spoken in the province of Sindh. As it is related to
Ariyai Family it is spoken in the Indus River Valley and the areas near it. This language
has the effects of the following languages: Greek, Turkish, Irani, Darawari, Sanskrit,
Arabic, Persian and other ancient languages. It is written in the Arabic script. After the
advent of the British, English words were also included in Sindhi, which increased the
literature and vocabulary reserves of Sindhi. Sindhi is stronger than the other regional
languages of Pakistan due to its old cultural heritage.

There are many accents of Sindhi. In lower Sindh and its Rajasthani area, Kichi,
Kathiawari and Aqdi dialects are spoken. In its other areas the dialects in use
are Kohistani, Saraiki and Vicholi. The high standard of its accent is foremost in
knowledgeable literary and journalistic writings.
In the whole of the Muslim world’s local languages, Sindhi is the first language to have
a translation of the Holy Quran. Sindhi was a developed language, it was a common
practice to read and write in it, even before the coming of Islam. After the arrival of
Islam, Sindhi too had importance along with Arabic.
From 1050 to 1350 special contribution was made to create literary and religious works.
This is accepted as the early age of literature in the Sindhi language. During this time
the topics written on were patriotism, determination, self respect and spiritual beliefs.
This period’s Dastaan, Qissa and Gunaan are worth mentioning. Gunaan is a unique
style of poetry. Sufi saints of this time (belonging to different schools of thought) spread
the teachings of Islam through poetry.
The Sufi poets like Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and Sachal Sarmast had enriched Sindhi
literature through their exemplary poetry. This age is called the golden age of Sindhi
literature. Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai made prominent the dignity of the common life
and poor labour class. He adopted a style of using similes in poetry. He took his basic
subject matter from Sindhi folk tales. That is why the echo of his poetry can be heard in
every corner of Sindh. His collection of poetry is called Shah Jo Rasalo.
The highly esteemed poet Sachal Sarmast wrote poetry in Sindhi, Urdu, Saraiki, Punjabi
and Persian. He was a man with Sufi qualities. In mysticism his special topic was Unity
of Existence (Wahdat ul Wajood).
Along with poetry, in prose also a wealth of literature was gathered due to the collective
efforts of teachers, scholars and preachers. The efforts of Abul Hassan Sindhi in this
respect are prominent. He used the Arabic script for writing Sindhi to create a new
script.

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Another name in this context is of Makhdoom Muhammad Hashim. He was a great
religious scholar. He wrote about 150 books in Persian and Sindhi. The topic of these
books is the elaboration and correction of religious beliefs. Some of these books still
have the role of course books in Madrassas and in Jamia Al Azhar (Egypt). During this
period Akhwand Aziz Ullah wrote a prose translation of the Holy Quran.
During British rule Sindhi developed a lot. The name of Mirza Qaleech Beg is very
important for this age. He wrote nearly 400 books on poetry and on other topics. During
the British reign, the political and social life in the subcontinent underwent many
important changes. People’s awareness grew stronger.
During this age Sindhi journalism flourished. In 1970 Maulvi Malaah wrote the
translation of the Holy Quran in verse. Bait, Wai, Kaafi and Molood are special forms
of Sindhi literature. Modern literary trends affected Sindhi as well.
After Pakistan came into being, much work has been done in the modern prose, play
literature etc. Modern writers of sindhi language have harmonized the modern trend
with the classical one. They have revived all forms of prose. In this regard, Sindhi
language development institution plays a prominent role. Development in research and
criticism has also been made.
3. Pushto
Pushto or Pakhto is spoken in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It traces its origin
to Bakhat or Bakht, an area in Afghanistan about five thousand years ago. In this
connection the speakers of this language are called Pashtun or Pakhtun, later replaced
by Pakhto or Pushto.
Like other languages, literature in this language began in poetry.The first book of prose
was written in the last decade of the 18th century. The name of this book is Patah
Khazana. By the end of the 13th century, Pushto literature had absorbed the external
influences. The use of Arabic and Persian words can be seen in it.
There are three accents in the Pushto language. One accent is of the northeast region,
the second of the southwest region and the third is of the Zai tribe. Basically, the only
difference between the three is of the pronunciation.
Ameer Krore is thought to be the first poet of nazm (poem) in the Pushto language. In
the reigns of Ghias-ud-din Balban and Sher Shah Suri qaseeda and madh forms were
not part of Pushto literature. Researchers found an old, writing, ‘Tazkara-tul-Aulia’
comprising 1200 pages, from which it can be deduced that the Pushto poets of this era
also tried their hands at the hamd-o-naat forms.
In Mahmud Ghaznavi’s era, a person named Saifullah actually prepared Pushto
alphabet which is still in use. The topics worth mentioning which feature prominently

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in Pushto poetry are liberty, honour, war, etc. Mysticism is mentioned too. Mulla Mast
is acknowledged the leader in this form. Khushal Khan Khattak is a great Pushto poet.
In addition to being a master of the pen, he was a master of the sword too. He expressed
this in these words “Those moments are worth seeing for Khushal, when the sword and
the suit of armor clink”. In his poetry, Khushal Khan has written about different fields
of life. The prominent topics in them are love of the Creator, love of a fellow human
being, mysticism, behavior, liberty and bravery.
The second greatest poet of Pushto literature is Rahman Baba. This humble poet was
always immersed in moods of romance and mysticism and the same are the topics of
his poetry. According to him, romance is the reason for the creation of the universe.
Rahman Baba holds a high position in the Pushtun society. The style of Khushal Khan
Khattak and Rahman Baba is like a milestone in Pushto literature and its impression
can be found in the poets that came later.
In Pushto literature folk songs are an unparalleled asset. Pushto literature has many
facets but chaarbeeta, tappa, laimkai, etc. are its very famous forms. Some poets
have made the different forms of folk songs, the topic of their poetry. These poets
include Noor Din, Mulla Maqsood, etc. Pushto prose started developing in the 20th
century. After Pakistan came into being, under the influence of modern education, the
writers, who possessed new ideas and thoughts did prominent work in writing a Pushto
dictionary, grammar writing, biography, short story writing, novel and drama.

4. Balochi
The Balochi language is spoken in the province of Balochistan in Pakistan. it is related
to Aryan languages. No matter how many viewpoints there are about how old the
Balochi language is or about its families. It is still a fact that the Balochi literature’s age
of development was after the creation of Pakistan. There are two main accents of the
Balochi language, one Sulemani and the other Makrani. Although the Balochi script
was already invented but the ancient Balochi literature came very late in written form.
In totality, Balochi poetry can be divided into three parts. In Balochi poetry, the more
important and first part is of epic poetry. The topics included in it are courage, grandeur,
honour and bravery.
The second part is of romantic poetry. In it, beauty and romance, youth and other topics
are found. The third part covers folk stories. In it, the forms of lori and motak have been
presenting the reflection of social life from the olden times.
In 1840, the work of introducing the ancient Balochi poetry began. In Balochi literature,
in old and classical prose, the tales of Mir Chakar Khan, Hassan Zandu, Pir Nag Wagran
Nazsha, Mureed Wahani, etc are famous and popular.
The first book in the history of the Balochi language and literature was written by Sher

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Kamsir Marri. In the Balochi poetry of the British era the topics of mysticism, morals
and hatred against the Britishers are found. In this era, the poet of high calibre was Mast
Tawakli.
After the creation of Pakistan, by adding and removing the letters of the Urdu alphabet,
a quality script was developed for Balochi. Balochi magazines and journals marked the
speedy development of Balochi literature.
In 1960, with the publication of the first Balochi magazine, journalism and literature
found a new direction in the Balochi language. The Balochistan University started the
Ph.D. degree in the Balochi language.

5. Kashmiri
According to modern research, the Kashmiri language is linked to the language of the
Indus Valley. It has several famous dialects from which Musalmanki, Hindki, Gandoro
and Gami are more popular. Gandoro is considered to be a more literary dialect.
Kashmiri literature is divided into the following five different eras:
In the first era, folk songs were promoted. In this kind of poetry, the expression of
the collective thinking and feeling of the Kashmiri society is found. In the Kashmiri
dialect, it is called Rauf Yalol.
In the second era, topics of Ilahyat were written about. The famous poet of this era
was Shati Kanth. In the third era, the practice of giving a poetic touch to the stories of
romance began. Hiba Khatoon was the major poetess of this era. In the poetic stories of
this era in along with Persian and Arabic, stories were also presented in the Kashmiri
language. In this connection, the names of Armani Laal Mulla Faqir etc are prominent
in the Kashmiri language and literature. The man behind this was Mahmud Gami. The
fifth era prospered under the shadow of modern literature. This retains new thoughts
and trends. Ghulam Ahmed Mahjor holds a special position in this era. In addition to
local creations in the Kashmiri literature, translations from other languages were done
also. Iranian literature, especially after translations of ghazal and masnavi, was also
adopted in Kashmiri poetry as a creative form. Kashmiriat is taught as a subject at the
Azad Kashmir University.

6. Saraiki
The Saraiki language is spoken on both sides of the River Indus in the central
regions of Pakistan. Its main districts in the province of the Punjab are Mianwali,
Bhakkar, Layyah,Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Raajanpur, Multan, Khanewal,
Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur etc. Other than Punjab, it is used in the districts of the
other three provinces too. For example in Sindh-Kashmore, Jacobabad and Sukkur,

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in Balochistan- Barkhan, Naseerabad and Jhal Magsi, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Dera
Ismail Khan and Tank, a large number of people are Saraiki speaking. The major poets
of Saraiki literature include Hazrat Sachal Sarmast (RA) and Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam
Fareed (RA). Articles, short stories and dramas are being written in this language. This
language too is developing rapidly.

7. Brahvi
In Pakistan, the majority of the people speaking the Brahvi language are living in the Kalat
regions and its surrounding areas in the province of Balochistan. Brahvi is commonly
written in the Persian and Arabic script. Folk literature is present in this language of
which the story of Laila Mor is more famous. In the eighteenth century, Malik Dada
wrote ‘Tohfa tul Ajaib’ which is considered to be the first precious standard literature in
the Brahvi language. After this, Maulana Nabu Khan and Maulana Muhammad Dinpuri
prominently added to the great literary treasures of this language.
In the Brahvi language, side by side with the translations of the Holy Quran, the writings
on different religious topics are also present. Furthermore, newspaper and magazines
have been published in it too. The great Brahvi writers include Doctor Abdur Rahman
Brahvi, Nadir Qambrani Piral Muhammad Zubairani etc. For education and research
in this language, the department of Brahvi is established in the Balochistan University.
The Brahvi Academy set up in Quetta is playing an important role in promoting the
Brahvi language and literature.

8. Hindko
The Hindko language is spoken in the districts of Rawalpindi and Attock in the Punjab,
and in the districts of Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Peshawar and Kohat in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa. To promote this language, ‘Idara- Farogh-e-Hindko’, Peshawar, ‘Bazm-
e-ilm-o-fun’ Abbottabad and ‘Halqa Yaaraan’ Shinkiari are playing a major role. To
develop this language further, a monthly magazine ‘Farogh’ is published under the
supervision of Aurangzeb Ghaznavi. To develop the Hindko language, personalities like
Professor Sufi Abdul Rasheed, Colonel Fazal Akbar, Asif Saqib, Sharif Hussain Shah,
Professor Muhammad Fareed, Professor Yahya Khalid, Nazir Kasalvi and Muhammad
Hanif have worked hard. Ph.D. degrees are being awarded in this language too.

Role of minorities in Pakistan


The rights of the minorities have been fully protected in the 1973 constitution of
Pakistan. According to the constitution, they have full rights. They have complete

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liberty to worship according to their religions, perform customs, transmit and publish
their religious principles and set up their own religious organizations. They have been
given separate representation in Pakistan’s constitution. The government abolished the
separate system of elections and put into practice the mixed system of elections. In
this way, the long–awaited demand of the minorities was fullfilled. In the National
Assembly, ten seats have been reserved for the minorities; in the Punjab Assembly 8,
Sindh Assembly 9, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly 11 and Balochistan Assembly 3
seats have been reserved. In our federal and provincial cabinets, mostly a non-Muslim
minister is included. In the economic field too, citizens are given equal opportunities so
that they can improve their financial conditions.
To obtain government employment, the minorities have the same rights as the Muslims.
The constitution of Pakistan provides equal political, economic and social rights to
all citizens because of which good citizenship is promoted. The minorities living in
Pakistan should be aware of their rights and responsibilities. It is their responsibility
to be faithful to their country. Rising above all kinds of prejudices, they must elect a
people’s representative who should work for the country’s stability.

Status of the minorities in the light of the Quaid-e-Azam’s


(RA) speech on 11th August, 1947
On 11th August, 1947 the Quaid-e-Azam (RA) while making a speech regarding the
place of minorities said:
“ After the partition of India, for minorities to be in one state or the other was inevitable.
Every one of you whether the first, second or last citizen of this state has equal rights,
privileges and obligations. No matter what relation someone had with you in the past,
no matter what his colour, caste or creed is, no matter to what community he belongs.
there will be no end to the progress you make. In this state of Pakistan you are free.
Go to your temples, mosques or other places of worship. The running of the state has
nothing to do with the religion, caste, creed or faith you belong to.
As you must know with regard to history, some time ago, the conditions in England were
worse than what exists in today’s India. Roman Catholics and Protestants committed
atrocities against one another. Even today, there are countries where a specific sect
faces discrimination and restrictions are imposed on its members. By the grace of Allah
Almighty, we are starting our journey in such conditions and in an age where such
discrimination is not encouraged. No distinction is made between different castes and
faiths. We are taking a start with this basic principle that we are equal citizens of our
state.
A journalist asked the Quaid-e-Azam (RA), “Can you give a brief statement, as the
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Governor General, about the problem of the minorities?”
The Quaid-e-Azam (RA) replied: Presently, I am a nominated Governor General. Let
us assume for a moment that on 15th August, 1947, I shall actually be the Governor
General of Pakistan. After this assumption, let me tell you that the minorities will
be protected. No matter which faith they belong to. Their religion and faith will be
safe in their freedom to worship, There will be no interference in their freedom to
worship. Their religions, faiths, their life and their culture will be secure. Without any
discrimination of caste and creed and faith, in all respects, they shall be citizens of
Pakistan. They will be provided with rights and privileges. Minorities will play their
role in the affairs of the state as long as they are faithful and well-wishers of the state in
the true sense. As long as I have power, they should not have any doubts. I expect that
the Muslims in India will receive the same kind of fair treatment that we intend to give
the non-Muslim minorities.
The minorities have always tried to perform prominently in all the fields. In the field of
law, the name of Justice AR Cornelius does not need any introduction. He has rendered
invaluable services. He had expertise in Shariah and Fiqh. He was the chief Justice of
the Supreme Court. He played a major role in compiling the 1973 constitution. Justice
Badi-uz-Zaman Kakaos had great knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah. He remained
the judge of the Supreme Court for eight years. Justice (Retd) Rana Bhagwan Das was
a judge in the Supreme Court too. Doctor Abdus Salam rendered important services in
physics.
Group Captain Eric Gardenhall, Wing Commander Nazeer Latif, Wing Commander
Marvin Middlecoat, Squadron Leader Peter Christie and Flight Lieutenant William, D.
HarrowLeigh received high civil and military awards for their excellent performances.
Harcharan Singh was the first Sikh officer to be included in the Pakistan Army.
In the field of health, Doctor Ruth Pfau worked for the leprosy patients till her death.
Doctor Drago of Mirpurkhas was especially famous for treating poor patients. He
received the Presidential Award too.
In the field of sports, Anil Dalpat and Anthony D’Souza in cricket, Michael Masih in
football, and in yachting, Behram D. Avari, are famous names.

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Exercise

(Part-1)

1 Four options are given for each question. Tick ( ) the correct option.

i. According to the census of 1998, Pakistan’s population was:


(a) 152.350 million (b) 165.200 million
(c) 132.350 million (d) 142.310 million
ii. Higher secondary education has course duration of:
(a) 5 year (b) 4 year
(c) 3 year (d) 2 year
iii. According to the fects and figures of 2013-14 literacy rate in Pakistan is:
(a) 43% (b) 45%
(c) 55% (d) 60%
iv. Reserved seats in National Assembly for minorities are:
(a) 8 (b) 10
(c) 12 (d) 14
v. The first diwan of Urdu ghazal was compiled by:
(a) Mirza Muhammad Rafi Sauda (b) Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutab Shah
(c) Mir Taqi Mir (d) Khawaja Mir Dard
vi. In Pakistan the first census was conducted in:
(a) 1950 (b) 1951
(c) 1952 (d) 1953
vii. In Qalat, Balochistan and its surrounding areas, which local language is spoken?
(a) Balochi (b) Barahvi
(c) Saraiki (d) Hindko
2 Give brief answers.
i. Write the names of three major folk tales in the Punjabi language.
ii. What is meant by university education?
iii. What is meant by rural and urban distribution of population?
iv. Which problems arise because of overpopulation?

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v. What is the role of Rehman Baba in the development of the Pushto language?
vi. Who was Hiba Khatoon?
vii. Which are the major games of Pakistan?
viii. Describe any five measures taken at the government level to resolve educational
problems.

(Part-2)
3 Give answers in detail.
i. State the basic features of Pakistani society and culture.
ii. Elaborate on the educational structure in Pakistan.
iii. Why is Urdu called the national language of communication in Pakistan?
iv. Explain the various stages of development of the Urdu, Punjabi and Sindhi
languages.
v. Elaborate on the major social problems of Pakistan.
vi. Explain the role of the minorities in Pakistan.
vii. Explain ‘Regional cultural similarities are means of integration and cohesion’.
viii. Describe the work of the following different poets and prose writers with
reference to languages:
(a) Balochi (b) Pushto (c) Kashmiri

Activity 1. Arrange a debate on census.


2. Arrange a speech competition on the growing
population in Pakistan and its harmful effects.

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