THE
CULTURE OF PAKISTAN
The Culture Of Pakistan is Based on those cultures and civilizations spanning
many a millennium. Pakistan's Culture is a very modest one. Here you see
Families don't have food together till all their family is present. There is
huge quantities of respect for elders to be found. Pakistan's cultural products
include handicrafts made on wood, steel, gold, bronze, copper and silver.
Pakistani culture respects women. Women are cared of more than one's own life.
![](new-3b.jpg)
Culture has a lasting effect on the development of a country. Pakistani culture
is enough to lead Pakistan but unfortunately, Pakistan has always been
poorly managed. PAKISTAN IS NOT A POOR COUNTRY, RATHER
IT IS A POORLY MANAGED COUNTRY!!
See our picture gallery To see cultural Pictures and other scenic views of
Pakistan.
LAND AND PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN:
The Land
Pakistan is a land of many splendours. The scenery changes northward from
coastal beaches, lagoons and mangrove swamps in the south to sandy deserts,
desolate plateaus, fertile plains, dissected upland in the middle and high
mountains with beautiful valleys, snow-covered peaks and eternal glaciers in the
north.
The variety of landscape divides Pakistan into six major regions:
the North High Mountainous Region,
the Western Low Mountainous Region,
the Balochistan Plateau,
the Potohar Uplands,
the Punjab and
the Sindh Plains.
High Mountain Region: Stretching in the North, from east to west, are a series
of high mountain ranges which separate Pakistan from China, Russia and
Afghanistan. They include the Himalayas, the Karakoram and the Hindukush. The
Himalayas spread in the north-east and the Karakoram rises on the north-west of
the Himalayas and extends eastward up to Gilgit. The Hindu Kush mountains lie to
the north-west of the Karakoram, but extend eastward into Afghanistan. With the
assemblage of 35 giant peaks over 24,000 ft. high (7,315m), the region is the
climbers' paradise. Many summits are even higher than 26,000 ft.(7,925 m) and
the highest K-2(Mt.Godwin Austin) is exceeded only by Mt.Everest. Inhospitable
and technically more difficult to climb than even Everest, they have taken the
biggest toll of human lives in the annals of mountaineering.
The passes are rarely lower than the summit of Mt. Blanc and several are over
18,000 ft. (5,485 m). The Karakoram Highway, that passes through the mountains,
is the highest trade route in the world. Besides, the region abounds in vast
glaciers, large lakes and green valleys which have combined at places to produce
holiday resorts such as Gilgit, Hunza and Yasin in the west and the valleys of
Chitral, Dir, Kaghan and Swat drained by rivers Chitral, Pankkora, Kunhar and
Swat respectively in the east. Dotted profusely with scenic spots having
numerous streams and rivulets, thick forests of pine and junipers and a vast
variety of fauna and flora, the Chitral, Kaghan and Swat valleys have
particularly earned the reputation of being the most enchanting tourist resorts
of Pakistan.
South of the high mountains, the ranges lose their height gradually and settle
down finally in the Margalla hills (2,000-3,000 ft.) in the vicinity of
Islamabad, the Capital of Pakistan, and Swat and Chitral hills, north of river
Kabul. Although the climate of the region is extremely diverse, according to
aspect and elevation, yet as a whole it remains under the grip of severe cold
from November to April. May, June and July are pleasant months. The southeren
slopes receive heavy rainfall and consequently are covered with forest of
deodar, pine, poplar and willow trees. The more northerly ranges and
north-facing slopes receive practically no rains and are, therefore, without
trees.
There is a considerable trans-humane from the mountains to the plains in winter
and from plains to the mountains in summer. The permanent settlers grow corn,
maize, barely, wheat and rice on the terraced fields and also raise orchards of
apples, apricots, peaches and grapes. Peaks and Glaciers Eric Shipton, a great
mountainer who perished in Pakistan's Northern Areas, wrote in his account. To
describe this region is to indulge in superlatives, for everywhere you look are
the highest, the longest and the largest mountains, glaciers and rivers in the
world.
Making some allowance for Shipton's tendency towards slight exaggeration, born
out of awe and fascination, the fact remains that Pakistan boasts of the largest
share of the highest mountain peaks in the world. Its own highest peak, the
famed and dreaded K-2, is the second highest in the world, being just some
`ropes' short of the Everest in Nepal. With due respect to the Everest, K-2 is
regarded as far more firmidable to climb than its relatively facile superior.
Three of the mightiest mountain systems- the Hindukush, the Karakorams and the
Himalayas- adorn the forehead of Pakistan. The second highest peak of Himalayas,
as also of Pakistan, is the Nanga Parbat which literally means the "Naked
Mountain".
Pakistan has seven of the 16 tallest peaks in Asia. The statistics are simply
baffling: 40 of the world's 50 highest mountains are in Pakistan; in Baltistan
over 45 peaks touch or cross the 20,000 foot mark; in Gilgit within a radius of
65 miles, there are over two dizens peaks ranging in height between 18,000 to
26,000 feet.
The awe-inspiring beauty provided inspiration to a Pakistani writer to observe
lyrically, "in Pakistan's lofty mountain regions, reaching for the sky doesn't
seem too ambitious". Pakistan's Eight Thousanders: There are a total of 14 main
peaks soaring above 8000 metres in the world. Out of these, 8 are located in
Nepal, 5 in Pakistan and 1 in China. It has become prestigious to make these
peaks as targets by mountaineers every year. In fact, successful climb over
these peaks is considered an enviable measure of their attainment. By far, the
largest number of mountaineering expeditions visiting Pakistan has been coming
from Japan.
K-2 (8611m) It is the second highest mountain the world. It was first attempted
by Martin Conway's expedition in 1902 which was composed of British, Austrian
and Swiss climbers. Ashraf Aman was the first Pakistani climber to climb on top
of K-2 with five other climbers of the Jap-Pak expedition in 1977, with Ichire
Yoshizawa as its leader and Isao Shinkai as the technical leader.
Nanga Parbat (8125m) It is also known as the killer mountain. It claimed the
life of AF Mummery, leader of an expedition and two porters in 1895. Since then
Nanga Parbat has cost scores of lives, though quite a few have successfully
scaled it. Harmann Buhl was the first to set foot on this formidable peak in
1953. In spite of its bloody past record, Nanga Parbat is still the most sought
after target. Its dangerous challenge seems to add spurs to the determination of
climbers.
Hidden Peak (8068m) This peak was first attempted in 1892 by Martin Conway's
expedition who gave it this name because it was hidden by the neighbouring peaks
of Baltoro glacier. The peak was first conquered in 1958 by an American
expedition. Nick clinch was the leader. The climbing leaders Peter Schoening and
Kanfuran were the two summiters.
Broad Peak (8047m) This peak was also named by Martin Conway and was first
attempted by a German expedition headed by Karl Herligk offer in 1954. The peak
was climbed in 1957 when the entire team of four climbers with Marcus Schmuck
scaled it.
In the far-north of Pakistan are valleys which are closed within the silent,
brooding forts of these mountains and are almsot as high as the mountains
themselves. Here dwell, from times immemorial, various tribes differing in race
and culture. If one tribe has Mongol features, its neighbour is obviously Aryan.
Separated by insurmountable obstacles, these tribes very often live a totally
land-locked existence blissfully unaware of the world beyond. But, a traveller
is simply wonderstruck by one common element - Islam.
Every-where you hear the familiar Assalam-o-Alaikum, the universal Muslim
greeting and welcome. and no matter how small or poor the inhibtation, the same
muezzin's call to prayer "Allah-u-Akbar rings in the thin mountain air, issuing
from the minarets of mosques hidden in the inaccessible fold of these ranges
pulsates an infinite variety of life; animals reptiles, birds, insects and
plants. There is, of course, the yak which is an enormous but docile beast, at
once the beast of burden and food. It is notable in the wildlife of these
regions, but, its hunting is strictly restricted and in many areas totally
forbidden by law.
Glaciers
Pakistan has more glaciers than any other land outside the North and South
Poles. Pakistan's glacial area covers some 13,680 sq.km which represents an
average of 13 per cent of mountain regions of the upper Indus Basin. Pakistan's
glaciers can rightly claim to possess the greatest mass and collection of
glaciated space on the face of earth. In fact, in the lap of the Karakoram of
Pakistan alone there are glaciers whose total length would add up to abvoe 6,160
sq. km. To put it more precisely, as high as 37 per cent of the Karakoram area
is under its glaciers against Himalayas' 17 per cent and European Alps' 22 per
cent. The Karakorams have one more claim to proclaim; its souther flank (east
and west of the enormous Biafo glacier) has a concentration of glaciers which
works out to 59 per cent of its area.
There is a historical reason for the fact that we, and the world outside, are
better acquainted with glaciers in the Nanga Parbat region. It is through this
region, hazardous though it is, that man has trudged to and fro since the
beginning of his civilized history of movement and migration. The Siachin
glacier is 75 kms. The Hispar (53 kms) joins the Biafo at the Hispar La (5154.16
metres (16,910 ft) to form an ice corridor 116.87 kms (72 miles) long. The
Batura, too is 58 kms in length. But, the most outstanding of these rivers of
ice is the 62 kms Baltoro. This mighty glacier fed by some 30 tributaries
constitues a surface of 1291.39 sq. kms. Western Low Mountains Region.
These western low mountains spread from the Swat and Chitral hills in a
north-south direction (along which alexander the Great led his army in 327 B.C)
and cover a large portion of the North-West Frontier Province. North of the
river Kabul their altitude ranges from 5,000 to 6,000 ft. in Mohamand and
Malakand hills. The aspect of these hills is exceedingly dreary and the eye is
everywhere met by the dry rivers between long rows of rocky hills and crags,
scantily covered with coarse grass, scrub wood and dwarf palm. South of the
river Kabul spreads the Koh-e-Sofed Range with a general height of 10,000 ft.
Its highest peak, Skaram, being 15,620 ft. South of Koh-e-Sofed are the Kohat
and Waziristan hills (5,000 ft) which are traversed by the Kurram and Tochi
rivers, and are bounded on south by Gomal River.
The whole area is a tangle of arid hills composed of limestone and sandstone.
South of the Gomal River, the Sulaiman Mountains run for a distance of about 483
kilomaters in a north-south direction, Takht-e-Sulaiman (11,295 ft.) being its
highest peak. At the southern end lie the low Marri and Bugti hills. The area
shows an extraordinary landscape of innumerable scarps, small plateaus and steep
craggy out-crops with terraced slopes and patches of alluvial basins which
afford little cultivation.
Kirthar Range South of the Sulaiman Mountains is the Kirthar Range which forms a
boundary between the Sindh plain and the Balochistan plateau. It consists of a
series of ascending ridges running generally north to south with broad flat
valleys in-between. The highgest peak named Kutte ji Kabar (dog's grace is 6,878
ft. above sea level. Bleak, rugged and barren as these hills are, they afford
some pasturage for flocks of sheep and goats. The valleys are green with grass
and admit cultivation up to a highest of 4,000 ft. Historical Passes The western
mountains have a number of passes, which are of special geographical and
historical interest. For centuries, they have been watching numerous kings,
generals and preachers passing through them and the events that followed brought
about momentous changes in the annals of mankind.
Climate
Although the country is in the monsoon region, it is arid, except for the
southern slopes of the Himalayas and the sub-Mountainous tract which have a
rainfall from 76 to 127 cm. Balochistan is the driest part of the country with
an average rainfall of 21 cm. On the southern ranges of the Himalayas, 127 cm.
of precipitation takes place, while under the lee of these mountains (Gilgit and
Baltistan) rainfall is hardly 16 cm. Rainfall also occurs from western cyclonic
distrubances originating in the Mediterranean.
It is appreciable in the western mountains and the immediate forelying area; hre
the rainfall average ranges from 27 to 76 cm. The contribution of these western
distrurbances to rainfall over the plains is about 4 cm. A large part of the
precipitation in the northern mountain system is in the form of snow which feeds
the rivers. The all-pervasive aridity over most of Pakistan, the predominant
influence on the life and habitat of the people, coupled with the climatic
rhythm, characteristic of a monsoon climate, are conducive to homogeneity of the
land.
Seasons The four well-marked seasons in Pakistan are:-
(i) Cold season (December to March).
(ii) Hot season (April to June).
(iii) Monsoon season (July to September).
(iv) Post-Monsoon season (October and November).
The cold season sets in by the middle of December. This period is characterised
by fine weather, bracing air-low humidity and large diurnal range of
temperature. Winter distrubances in this season accordingly cause fairly
widespread rain. Average mimimum and maximum temperatures are 4 oC and 18 oC,
though on occasions the mercury falls well below freezing point. The winter sun
is glorious. The hot season is usually dry. Relative humidity in May and June
varies from 50 per cent in the morning to 25 per cent or less in the afternoon.
The temperature soars to 40 oC and beyond. The highest recorded temperature at
Jaccobabad in June is 53 oC. While the interior is blazing hot, the temperature
along the sea coast ranges between 25 oC to 35 oC, but the humidity persists
around 70 to 80 per cent.
The south-west monsoon reaches Pakistan towards the beginning of July and
establishes itself by the middle of the month. The strength of the monsoon
current increases form June to July; it then remains steady, and starts
retreating towards the end of August, though occasionally, it continues to be
active even in September when some of the highest floods of the Indus Basin have
been recorded. From the middle of September to the middle of November is the
transitory period which may be called the post-monsoon season.
In October, the maximum temperature is of the order of 34 oC to 37 oC all over
Pakistan, while the nights are fairly cool with the minimum temperature around
16 oC. In the month of November, both the maximum and the mimimum temperatures
fall by about 6 oC and the weather becomes pleasant. October and November are by
far the driest months all over the plains of Pakistan.
People and Population
The population of the country as on 1st January, 1994, is estimated at about
124.45 million with its male/female ratio of 52.50:47.50 per cent. The current
growth rate of 3.0 per cent is the highest among nine most populous countries of
the world. The population is expected to reach 150 million by the year 2000.
Density per square kilometre is 156 persons. Literacy rate is estimated to be
36.8 per cent. Of the four provinces, with 25.8 per cent of land area of the
country, Punjab has 56.5 per cent of the total population; Sindh, with 17.7 per
cent of land area, has 22.6 per cent: NWFP, (including FATA) with 12.8 per cent
of land area, has 15.7 per cent; Balochistan, with 43.6 per cent of land area,
has 5.1 per cent. Thus, Punjab is the most densely (240 persons per sq km)
populated province, follwed by Sindh and NWFP. Balochistan is the least
populated province, with 19 persons per square kilomatre. The overall population
density of the country is 156 persons per square kilometre as estimated in 1994.
Sindh is the urbainised province with 43 per cent of the people living in urban
areas including Karachi City. The urban population of Punjab is 28 per cent
followed by NWFP, 21 per cent, and Balochistan 16 per cent. About 67 per cent of
the total urban population of the country lives in 28 cities with population of
100,000 and above, while 57 per cent of the total urban population lives in 12
cities with population lives in 12 cities with population of 200,000 and above.
Age Composition According to the Labour Force Survey, 1990-91, 46.93 of the
population is under 15 years of age; 49.66 per cent is between the age groups of
15 and 64 years, while 3.41 per cent comprises persons 65 years old and above.
Television Schedule |
Suggestions | Essay Contest |
Open Forum | Add Site
| Calendar |
Mobiles | Donate for ApnaPakistani