Culture of Pakistan

Literature

Main article: Pakistani literature, List of Urdu-language poets, Pakistani poetry

Pakistan has literature in Urdu, Persian, Sindhi, Punjabi, Pashto, Balochi, English, and many other languages.{{cite book

The national poet of Pakistan, Muhammad Iqbal, wrote poetry in Urdu and Persian. He was a strong proponent of the political and spiritual revival of Islamic civilisation and encouraged Muslims all over the world to bring about a successful revolution (regarding to the freedom from Colonial powers).-

• Well-known figures in contemporary Pakistani Urdu literature include Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Mirza Ghalib, Ahmed Faraz, Parveen Shakir and Saadat Hasan Manto. Sadequain and Gulgee are known for their calligraphy and paintings. The Sufi poets Shah Abdul Latif, Bulleh Shah, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, and Khawaja Farid enjoy considerable popularity in Pakistan. Mirza Kalich Beg has been termed the father of modern Sindhi prose. Historically, philosophical development in the country was dominated by Muhammad Iqbal, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Muhammad Asad, Maududi, and Mohammad Ali Johar.

Ideas from British and American philosophy greatly shaped philosophical development in Pakistan. Analysts such as M. M. Sharif and Zafar Hassan established the first major Pakistani philosophical movement in 1947. After the 1971 war, philosophers such as Jalaludin Abdur Rahim, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Gianchandani, and Malik Khalid incorporated Marxism into Pakistan's philosophical thinking. Influential work by Manzoor Ahmad, Jaun Elia, Hasan Askari Rizvi, and Abdul Khaliq brought mainstream social, political, and analytical philosophy to the fore in academia. Works by Noam Chomsky have influenced philosophical ideas in various fields of social and political philosophy.

Performing arts

Music

Main article: Music of Pakistan

Pakistani music ranges from diverse forms of provincial folk music and traditional styles such as Qawwali and Ghazal to modern musical forms that fuse traditional and western music.

Dances

Pakistan has various regional dances including:

Punjabi

Main article: Folk dances of Punjab

• Giddha - Punjabi folk dance, a popular folk dance of women
• Dahamal – Punjabi folk dance (The dance is rooted in Sufi trance dances on trance drum beats)
• Jhumar – Punjabi folk dance
• Luddi - Punjabi folk dance, mostly performed on weddings

Balochi

• Chaap – Baloch folk dance performed at weddings

Pashtun

• 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

Sindhi

Main article: Folk dances of Sindh

• Jamalo – Sindhi dance.
• Jhumir: wedding dance.
• Dhamal: performed by Sindhi Sufi devotees on Sufi shrines. The main performance is done by Sufi dervishes who wear long Jamas, special rings, necklaces and Sindhi faqeeri topi or turban.

Drama and theatre

Main article: Theatre in Pakistan

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.

Architecture

Main article: Pakistani architecture

Four periods are recognised in Pakistani architecture: pre-Islamic, Islamic, colonial, and post-colonial. With the beginning of the Indus Valley Civilization around the middle of the 3rd millennium BCE, an advanced urban culture developed for the first time in the region, with large buildings, some of which survive to this day. The rise of Buddhism and the influence of Greek civilisation led to the development of a Greco-Buddhist style, starting from the 1st century CE. The high point of this era was 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 what is today Pakistan meant the gradual end of Buddhist architecture in the area and a transition to Islamic architecture. This shift introduced intricate geometric patterns, arabesques, and calligraphy, replacing the Buddhist emphasis on human and animal depictions, which are generally avoided in Islamic art and architecture. The most important building from this era still standing is the tomb of Shah Rukn-i-Alam in Multan. During the Mughal era, design elements of Persian-Islamic architecture became fused with architectural styles native to India, leading to new architectural revival. Lahore, as the occasional residence of Mughal rulers and a once Mughal capital, contains many important buildings from the empire. Most prominent among them are the Badshahi Mosque, the fortress of Lahore with the famous Alamgiri Gate, the colourful, Mughal-style Wazir Khan Mosque, the Shalimar Gardens in Lahore, and the Shahjahan Mosque in Thatta.

In the British colonial period, predominantly functional buildings of the Indo-European style developed from a mixture of European and Mughal architectural traditions. Post-colonial national identity is expressed in modern structures such as the Faisal Mosque, the Minar-e-Pakistan, and the Mazar-e-Quaid. Several examples of architectural infrastructure demonstrating the influence of British design can be found in Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi.

Recreation and sports

Main article: Sports in Pakistan

Most sports played in Pakistan originated and were substantially developed by athletes and sports fans from the United Kingdom who introduced them during the British Raj. Field hockey is the national sport of Pakistan; it has won three gold medals in the Olympic Games held in 1960, 1968, and 1984. Pakistan has also won the Hockey World Cup a record four times, held in 1971, 1978, 1982, and 1994.

Cricket, however, is the most popular game across the country. The country has had an array of success in the sport over the years, and has the distinct achievement of having won each of the major ICC international cricket tournaments: ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC World Twenty20, and ICC Champions Trophy; as well as the ICC Test Championship. The cricket team (known as Shaheen) won the Cricket World Cup held in 1992; it was runner-up once, in 1999. Pakistan was runner-up in the inaugural World Twenty20 (2007) in South Africa and won the World Twenty20 in England in 2009. In March 2009, militants attacked the touring Sri Lankan cricket team, after which no international cricket was played in Pakistan until May 2015, when the Zimbabwean team agreed to a tour. Pakistan also won the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy by defeating arch-rivals India in the final.

Pakistan Super League is one of the largest cricket leagues of the world with a brand value of about .

Association football is the second-most played sport in Pakistan and it is organised and regulated by the Pakistan Football Federation. Football in Pakistan is as old as the country itself. Shortly after the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) was created, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah became its first Patron-in-Chief. The highest football division in Pakistan is the Pakistan Premier League. Pakistan is known as one of the best manufacturers of the official FIFA World Cup ball. The best football players to play for Pakistan are Kaleemullah, Zesh Rehman, Muhammad Essa, Haroon Yousaf, and Muhammad Adil.

Pakistan has hosted or co-hosted several international sporting events: the 1989 and 2004 South Asian Games; the 1984, 1993, 1996 and 2003 World Squash Championships; the 1987 and 1996 Cricket World Cup; co-hosted the ICC Champion Trophy 2025 and the 1990 Hockey World Cup. Pakistan is set to host the 2025 South Asian Games.

There are also some traditional games of Pakistan, such as kabaddi, which are popular.

Cuisine

Main article: Pakistani cuisine}}{{further, Sindhi cuisine, Pashtun cuisine, Punjabi cuisine

Pakistani cuisine lies at the crossroads of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, North Indian, and Iranian culinary traditions, with some practices, such as the use of nuts in garnishing, tracing back to the royal kitchens of the 16th-century Mughal emperors.

The level of spice is typically low in most traditional cuisines, such as those of Pashtun, Balochi, Gilgiti, Balti, Sindhi, and southern and northern Punjab. However, in Central and Eastern Punjab, as well as in the cuisine of the Muhajir community—Indian immigrants primarily settled in Karachi, the country's financial hub—the food is often spicy. Muhajir cuisine, in particular, incorporates generous quantities of garlic, ginger, turmeric, red chili, and garam masala.

Meals commonly include rice, often prepared with meat but also with vegetables, or bread such as naan or roti, served with broth, meat, vegetables, or lentils. Traditionally, meals are served on a dastarkhān—a special rug lined with a plastic sheet to prevent spills and surrounded by cushions or pillows for added comfort. In modern households, however, the use of dining tables has become increasingly common.

Pakistani tea culture

Black tea with milk and sugar is widely popular throughout Pakistan and is consumed daily, often accompanied by cookies or halva. The consumption of tea in Pakistan, called chai () is of central significance to Pakistani culture. It is one of the most consumed beverages in Pakistani cuisine. Pakistan produces its own limited tea in Shinkiari farms; however, it ranks as the third largest importer of tea in the world. 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.[[File:Meissen-teacup pinkrose01.jpg|thumb|right|A traditional cup of black tea]]

• The name for Three Cups of Tea, a bestselling 2007 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..."
• 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.

Popular media

Main article: Television in Pakistan, Cinema of Pakistan

The private print media, state-owned Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) for radio were the dominant media outlets until the beginning of the 21st century. Pakistan now has a large network of domestic, privately owned 24-hour news media and television channels. A 2016 report by the Reporters Without Borders ranked Pakistan 147th on the Press Freedom Index, while at the same time terming the Pakistani media "among the freest in Asia when it comes to covering the squabbling among politicians." The BBC terms the Pakistani media "among the most outspoken in South Asia". Pakistani media has also played a vital role in exposing corruption.

The Lollywood, Punjabi and Pashto film industry is based in Lahore and Peshawar. While Bollywood films were banned from public cinemas from 1965 until 2008, they have remained an important part of popular culture. In contrast to the ailing Pakistani film industry, Urdu televised dramas and theatrical performances continue to be popular, as many entertainment media outlets air them regularly. Urdu dramas dominate the television entertainment industry, which has launched critically acclaimed miniseries and featured popular actors and actresses since the 1990s. In the 1960s–1970s, pop music and disco (1970s) dominated the country's music industry. In the 1980s–1990s, British influenced rock music appeared and jolted the country's entertainment industry. In the 2000s, heavy metal music gained popular and critical acclaim.

National dress

Main article: Shalwar kameez

The national dress of Pakistan is the Persian origin shalwar kameez, a unisex garment widely-worn around South Asia, and national dress, of Pakistan. When women wear the shalwar-kameez in some regions, they usually wear a long scarf or shawl called a dupatta around the head or neck. The dupatta is also employed as a form of modesty—although it is made of delicate material, it obscures the upper body's contours by passing over the shoulders. For Muslim women, the dupatta is a less stringent alternative to the chador or burqa (see hijab and purdah). Besides the national dress, domestically tailored suits and neckties are often worn by men, and are customary in offices, schools, and social gatherings.

The fashion industry has flourished in the changing environment of the fashion world. Since Pakistan came into being, its fashion has evolved in different phases and developed a unique identity. Today, Pakistani fashion is a combination of traditional and modern dress and has become a mark of Pakistani culture. Despite modern trends, regional and traditional forms of dress have developed their own significance as a symbol of native tradition. This regional fashion continues to evolve into both more modern and purer forms. The Pakistan Fashion Design Council based in Lahore organizes PFDC Fashion Week and the Fashion Pakistan Council based in Karachi organizes Fashion Pakistan Week. Pakistan's first fashion week was held in November 2009.

References

References

1. Neelis, Jason. (2007). "On the Cusp of an Era: Art in the Pre-Kuṣāṇa World". Routledge.
2. Marshall, John. (2013). "A Guide to Taxila". Cambridge University Press.
3. "Pakistan- Language, Religion, Culture, Customs and Etiquette". Kwint Essential.
4. Anwar Alam. (2008). "Factors and Consequences of Nuclearization of Family at Hayatabad Phase-II, Peshawar". Sarhad J. Agric..
5. Husain. (17 April 2010). "The rise of Mehran man".
6. (Nov–Dec 2006). "A.T. Kearney/Foreign Policy Magazine Globalization Index 2006". A.T. Kearney.
7. "Pakistan Academy of Letters".
8. Kamran, Gilani. "Pakistani Literature3-novel".
9. Imtiaz, Huma. (2010-09-26). "Granta: The global reach of Pakistani literature".
10. Muhammad Zahid Rifat. (3 October 2011). "Paying tributes to popular Sufi poets". The Nation.
11. Chetan Karnani. (2003). "L.H. Ajwani". Sahitya Akademi.
12. Javed, Kazi. Philosophical Domain of Pakistan (Pakistan Main Phalsapiana Rojhanat) (in Urdu). Karachi: Karachi University Press, 1999.
13. Richard V. DeSemet. "Philosophical Activities in Pakistan:1947–1961".
14. (1998). "Philosophy in Pakistan". Council for Research in Values and Philosophy.
15. Mallick, Ayyaz. (7 May 2013). "Exclusive interview with Noam Chomsky on Pakistan elections". Dawn news election cells.
16. (6 September 1997). "The stilled voice". [[Frontline (magazine).
17. (22 December 2009). "The Sufis of India and Pakistan". History of Islam.
18. Dehejia. "South Asian Art and Culture".
19. "The Indus Valley And The Genesis Of South Asian Civilization".
20. Maity, Sachindra Kumar. (1983). "Cultural Heritage of Ancient India". Abhinav Publications.
21. (29 December 1979). "UNESCO Advisory Body Evaluation of Takht Bhai". International Council on Monuments and Sites.
22. Valentine, Simon Ross. (2008). "Islam and the Ahmadiyya Jama'at: History, Belief, Practice". Hurst & Company.
23. Kamil Khan Mumtaz. (1985). "Architecture in Pakistan". Concept Media Pte Ltd.
24. Bill Mallon. (2011). "Historical Dictionary of the Olympic Movement". Scarecrow.
25. V.V.K.Subburaj. (30 August 2004). "Basic Facts of General Knowledge". Sura College of Competition.
26. Khan. (15 March 2010). "The Death of Sports in Pakistan". [[The Huffington Post]].
27. (18 June 2017). "David Richardson presents ICC Test Championship mace to Misbah-ul-Haq".
28. (2009-03-04). "Pakistan cricket future in doubt". [[BBC News]].
29. (13 February 2019). "PSL's brand value stands at $230m or Rs 32.258 bn".
30. Ahsan, Ali. (2010-12-23). "A history of football in Pakistan — Part I".
31. Waraich, Omar. (11 February 2014). "Where soccer gets made". Sports Illustrated.
32. (August 12, 2010). "PFF approves two more teams in Premier League". [[The Nation (Pakistan).
33. Ahsan, Ali. (28 January 2018). ["Footballs made in Pakistan to be used in FIFA World Cup 2018"](https://tribune.com.pk/story/1620487/7-footballs-made-pakistan-used-fifa-world-cup-2018/}}- {{cite web). The Express Tribune.
34. Safi, Alam Zeb. (2022-02-13). "Imperfect preparations {{!}} Sports {{!}} thenews.com.pk".
35. "Sport in Pakistan".
36. "Port Grand – 2021 Tours & Tickets | All You Need to Know Before You Go (with Photos) – Karachi, Pakistan".
37. Goodwin, William. (2002). "Pakistan". Lucent Books.
38. (2011). "Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife". ABC-CLIO.
39. Yasmeen Niaz Mohiuddin. (2006). "Pakistan: a global studies handbook". ABC-CLIO.
40. Kathleen W. Deady. (2001). "Countries of the world :Pakistan". Capstone Press.
41. (2008). "Pakistan & the Karakoram Highway". Lonely Planet.
42. Tarla Dalal. (2007). "Punjabi Khana". Sanjay & Co.
43. (2005-07-22). "Committee on Commodity Problems: Tea Market Studies-Egypt, Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan and Turkey". Fao.org.
44. ''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.
45. (2013-03-08). "Nawaz reopens Pak Tea House in Lahore".
46. (July 2009). "Media in Pakistan". International Media Support.
47. (2016-04-20). "Pakistani media targeted on all sides, says report".
48. (2 March 2017). "Pakistan profile{{Snd}} Media". BBC News.
49. (July 2009). "{{Not a typo". International Media Support.
50. Randhava, Naseem. (11 October 2011). "Bollywood films may be banned in Pakistan". [[Yahoo! News]].
51. (21 January 2015). "The Evolving World of Pakistani Dramas Builds Stronger Relations With India". Brown Girl.
52. (25 December 2014). "Pakistani dramas contribute to the evolution of Indian television". [[Daily Times (Pakistan).
53. Paracha, Nadeem F.. (28 March 2013). "Times of the Vital Sign". [[Dawn (newspaper).
54. Reza Sayah. (12 April 2012). "Underground musicians aim to change Pakistan's image". CNN Pakistan.
55. Marsden, Magnus. (2005). "Living Islam: Muslim Religious Experience in Pakistan's North-West Frontier". Cambridge University Press.
56. Haines, Chad. (2013). "Nation, Territory, and Globalization in Pakistan: Traversing the Margins". Routledge.
57. Ozyegin, Gul. (2016). "Gender and Sexuality in Muslim Cultures". Routledge.
58. (14 April 2005). "Sikh Women In England: Religious, Social and Cultural Beliefs". Trentham Book.
59. (2010). "Unquiet Pasts: Risk Society, Lived Cultural Heritage, Re-designing Reflexivity". Ashgate Publishing, Ltd..
60. Leiby. (25 April 2012). "In Pakistan, fashion weeks thrive beyond the style capitals of the world". [[Washington Post]].