Culture of Pakistan: Complete Study Notes for CSS & PMS Exams
Searching for “culture of Pakistan PDF”? These are the complete exam-ready notes — every heading CSS and PMS examiners expect, organised for quick revision: definition, features, regional cultures, languages, dress, festivals, customs and the role of media. Bookmark this page as your revision sheet.
Quick answer: Pakistani culture = Islamic values + regional diversity. Key exam points: Urdu (national) + English (official); shalwar kameez (national dress); 4 provincial cultures + northern; festivals religious (Eids), cultural (Basant, Lok Mela, Shandur) and national (14 Aug, 23 Mar); customs of hospitality, elders, weddings (mehndi/baraat/walima).
In these notes
1. Definition & Features
- Culture = the way of life of a people: values, customs, language, arts, dress, food.
- Pakistani culture is an amalgam — Islamic framework + regional (Punjabi, Pashtun, Sindhi, Baloch, northern) traditions + 5,000 years of Indus heritage.
- Salient features: religious uniformity (Islam), linguistic diversity, strong family system, hospitality, modesty in dress, rich oral and written literature.
2. Languages
- National language: Urdu — binding force of the federation; born of Persian, Arabic, Turkish and local dialects; poets: Amir Khusro, Ghalib, Iqbal.
- Official language: English — administration, higher judiciary, international communication.
- Regional: Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki, Balochi, Hindko, Shina, Balti — 70+ languages total.
- Urdu became Pakistan’s national language in 1947.
3. Dress
- National dress: shalwar kameez (men and women).
- Regional: Sindhi Ajrak + topi; Punjabi phulkari; KP waistcoat + pakol + Peshawari chappal; Balochi embroidery.
- Formal: sherwani; Karakul/Jinnah cap.
4. Festivals
- Religious: Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Shab-e-Barat, Eid Milad-un-Nabi, Ashura.
- Cultural: Basant, Lok Mela, Shandur Polo Festival, Sibi Mela, Urs of saints.
- National: Pakistan Day (23 March), Independence Day (14 August), Defence Day (6 September).
5. Customs
- Greeting: Assalamualaikum; respect for elders; hospitality (mehmaan nawazi).
- Weddings: mehndi → baraat (nikkah) → walima.
- Mourning: quick burial, janaza prayer, soyem/chehlum remembrance.
- Dining: right hand, communal dishes, guests first.
6. Arts & Sports
- Arts: truck art, Multani blue pottery, Ajrak printing, Ralli quilts; music — qawwali, ghazal, folk, Coke Studio.
- National sport: field hockey (multiple Olympic medals); cricket most followed; kabaddi, polo, neza bazi traditional.
7. Role of Media in Culture
- Radio, TV, dramas and social media democratised culture — folk reaches cities, urban trends reach villages.
- Positive: national cohesion, preservation of folk arts, critique of government.
- Challenge: foreign (Hollywood/Bollywood) influence on dress, language and lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national language of Pakistan?
Urdu is the national language; English is the official language alongside it.
What is the national dress of Pakistan?
The shalwar kameez, worn by both men and women nationwide.
What is the national sport of Pakistan?
Field hockey — though cricket is the most popular sport.
