General Ling/Sweden; Ling & Literature/Pakistan

LINGUIST is pleased to announce the launch of an exciting new feature: Easy Abstracts! Easy Abs is a free abstract submission and review facility designed to help conference organizers and reviewers accept and process abstracts online. Just go to: http://www.linguistlist.org/confcustom, and begin your conference customization process today! With Easy Abstracts, submission and review will be as easy as 1-2-3!

Directory 1. Anna Vogel, Swedish Association for Language and Cognition 2. Anjum Saleemi, Reshaping the Mould: Literature and Language Studies Message 1: Swedish Association for Language and Cognition

Date: 21-Oct-2008 From: Anna Vogel nordiska.su.se> Subject: Swedish Association for Language and Cognition Full Title: Swedish Association for Language and Cognition Short Title: SALC conference 2009 Date: 10-Jun-2009 - 12-Jun-2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Contact Person: Anna Vogel Meeting Email: SALC2009english.su.se Linguistic Field(s): General Linguistics Call Deadline: 15-Dec-2008 Meeting Description: In the second SALC conference, SALC-2009, we hope to bring together folks from within all areas of language and cognition studies in Sweden and internationally. Call for Papers Second Conference of the Swedish Association for Language and Cognition SALC June 10-12, 2009 Arranged by the Departments of English, Scandinavian Languages, and General Linguistics Stockholm University Second Circular We are pleased to announce the second SALC conference, SALC-2009, where we hope to bring together researchers from within all areas of language and cognition studies in Sweden and internationally. We welcome discussions on a wide variety of issues within the general area of language and cognition, and with particular focus on the areas of cognitive linguistic approaches to language acquisition and the contributions of psycholinguistics to linguistic theory. We are very pleased to announce our plenary speakers for the conference: -- Elizabeth C. Traugott, Professor Emeritus of Linguistics and English at Stanford University -- Maria Koptjevskaja-Tamm, Professor of Comparative Linguistics at Stockholm University. -- Niclas Abrahamsson, Associate Professor at the Centre for Research on Bilingualism at Stockholm University. -- Daniel Casasanto, Postdoctoral Researcher, Senior Scientific Staff at Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen. Call for papers We invite the submission of abstracts for oral or poster presentations for the "Second Conference of the Swedish Association for Language and Cognition (SALC) / Svenska Sällskapet för Språk och Kognition (SSSK)" to be held at Stockholm University between June 10th and 12th, 2009. Presentations should involve research based on structures and processes of general cognition (e.g. perception, memory and reasoning) and social cognition (e.g. joint attention and imitation), and as affecting such structures and processes. The conference, as SALC in general, is intended to be a forum for the exchange of ideas between disciplines, fields of study and theoretical frameworks. Topics include, but are not limited to: -psycholinguistic approaches to language and cognition -language acquisition/use and cognition -language structure and cognition -language and cognitive development and evolution -language change and cognition -language and gesture -language and consciousness -linguistic typology and cognition -linguistic relativity The deadline for abstract submission is December 15, 2008. Please send two copies of an abstract of about 400 words (excluding references) to SALC2009english.su.se , with your name and affiliation written under the title in one copy; one copy must remain anonymous. Presentations should last 20 minutes with 5 minutes for questions. After the process of peer-revision, e-mail notifications will be sent out by March 1, 2009. Conference Fees: -50 Euros for faculty SALC members, -70 Euros for faculty non-members -40 Euros for student SALC members -50 Euros for student non-members The annual SALC membership is 15 Euros for faculty and 10 Euros for students. There will be a conference dinner for a cost of 40 Euros. Registration and payments can be made on-line at http://www.salc-sssk.org/salc09/ Theme sessions. As part of SALC-2009 there will be four theme sessions described in Themes (at the bottom of this message). If you are interested in submitting a paper to one of the theme sessions, please mark your abstract clearly with your intended theme session. The deadline for abstract submission is December 15, 2008. Please send two copies of an abstract of about 400 words (excluding references) to SALC2009english.su.se , with your name and affiliation written under the title in one copy; one copy must remain anonymous. All submissions, both general and for theme sessions, will be peer-reviewed, after which e-mail notifications will be sent out by March 1, 2009. Plenary speakers Elizabeth C. Traugott - Professor Emeritus of Linguistics and English at Stanford University. She has done research in historical syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, lexicalization, socio-historical linguistics, and linguistics and literature. Her current research focuses on ways to bring the theories of grammaticalization and Construction Grammar to bear on accounts of micro-changes. Daniel Casasanto - Postdoctoral Researcher, Senior Scientific Staff at Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen. His research integrates methods from cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, linguistics, and cognitive neuroscience to explore connections between talking, thinking, perceiving, and acting. Maria Koptjevskaja Tamm - Professor in General Linguistics at Department of Linguistics, Stockholm University. Her interests include: typology, lexical typology, nominal juxtaposition, the origin, meaning(s) and grammatical properties of kin and temperature terms. Maria's current research focuses on areal phenomena in the languages spoken around the Baltic Sea and also recurrent semantic shifts and form/meaning correlations in the core vocabulary of human languages. Niclas Abrahamsson - Associate Professor at the Centre for Research on Bilingualism Stockholm University. His research interests include first and second language acquisition, cognitive, psycholinguistic and neurolinguistic aspects of language acquisition and language use and maturational constraints and the critical period, language aptitude, first language attrition and also second language phonology and phonetics. Theme Sessions at the Second International Conference of the Swedish Association for Language and Cognition (SALC), Stockholm June 10-12 2009. 1. Interfaces of Language and Vision. Coordinator: Pirita Pyykkönen, Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland. 2. Cognition and second Language Use. Coordinator: Alan Mcmillion, English Language department, Stockholm University, Sweden. 3. Language, Consciousness and Semiosis. Coordinators: Jordan Zlatev, Centre for Languages and Literature and Göran Sonesson, Department of Semiotics, Lund University, Sweden. 4. When a Word Makes a World. Coordinator: Tetyana Lunyova, English Philology Department, Poltava State Pedagogical University, Ukraine. Interfaces of Language and Vision People use language to communicate with other people daily in natural environments. Recent psycholinguistic studies have done important work to explain how attention to visual environment is linked to language in such situations. Especially, studies with the visual world eye-tracking method have empirically shown that allocation of attention to visual entities in the world has a tight temporal coupling with cognitive processes underlying spoken language comprehension and production. By studying a variety of different linguistic structures these studies have tested and developed psycholinguistic theories and models of language comprehension and production. The current theme session on Interfaces of Language and Vision is dedicated to studies investigating how visual environment interacts with language comprehension and production processes. The topics are as follows (but not restricted to): -Visual environment and language comprehension -Visual environment and language production -Relationship between salience in language and salience in visual scenes -Visual environment and anticipation in language comprehension -Role of memory in the coordination of language and vision -Joint attention between speaker and listener in human-human interaction and human-robot interaction -Language comprehension/production with and without visual world -Interfaces of language and vision in language acquisition and their implications for acquisition theories -Modeling interfaces of language and vision Cognition and Second Language Use In recent decades a vast amount of research has been done both within the broad area of cognitive linguistics and cognitive studies generally, as well as within the broad area of second language acquisition and use. The overlap between these two areas, however, has remained relatively small. The aim of this theme session is to bring together researchers who are working within a cognitive paradigm on questions of L2 acquisition and use. The most general issue in cognitive approaches to L2 use is perhaps the question of cognitive and processing differences between L1 and L2 use. There are very many more specific questions, such as the following: -cognitive barriers to native-like proficiency in L2 users -various cognitive stages in L2 attainment -processing efficiency among L1 and L2 users -L2 reading/writing/speaking/listening proficiencies -the critical period hypothesis transfer -L2 influences on L1 processes (reverse transfer) -cognitive aspects of language aptitude -didactic/pedagogical approaches - what can cognitive linguistics offer to L2-education? We would welcome all papers that address these and related questions within the area of cognition and L2 use. Language, consciousness and semiosis By definition, language is the major object of study of linguistics, and semiosis ("meaning making") of semiotics. No one has a similar monopoly on consciousness, but until recently it was mostly philosophy that dared to deal with this "dangerous topic", and, arguably with most insight, the tradition of phenomenology, emanating from Husserl. However, in the past, few scholars have ventured to trespass the borders of these three subjects, and thus to investigate the relations between language, consciousness and semiosis in a truly interdisciplinary fashion. But the times they are a'changing. Journals such as Cognitive Semiotics, Journal of Consciousness Studies, and Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences have recently published issues precisely encouraging such "trespassing". Established semioticians such as Fredrik Stjernfeldt, Søren Brier and Göran Sonesson have written extensively on language, consciousness and semiosis, combining insights from the three disciplines. Linguists such as Len Talmy, Per-Åge Brandt, Esa Itkonen and Jordan Zlatev have done likewise. Members of the interdisciplinary "Distributed Language Group" (DLG) have done so too, though being more influenced by Wittgenstein, Vygotsky and Maturana than phenomenology. Phenomenologists "proper" nowadays seem less concerned with language per se, but Shaun Gallagher, Søren Overgaard and Maxine Sheets-Johnstone have made valuable contributions, especially with respect to the elucidation of a notion that is crucial for cognitive linguistics: "embodiment". In this theme session, we invite contributions (from these and related fields) that explicitly deal with the relationships between language, consciousness and semiosis. A key question is that of priority, in ontological, methodological and empirical (e.g. in ontogeny and phylogeny) terms between language, consciousness and semiosis (and particularly: signs). For example, Peircians often give priority to signs with respect to both consciousness and language. Sonesson, on the other hand, privileges consciousness within a framework of "phenomenological semiotics". Zlatev argues similarly for "the dependence of language on consciousness". Finally, DLG members like Cowley and Kravchenko argue for a decisive role of "languaging", understood in broadly biosemiotic terms, for consciousness. We look forward to open discussions on these issues, on the basis of presentations using either stringent conceptual/semantic analysis, or empirical investigations, and in the best case both. When a Word Makes a World The session will be devoted to examination of linguistic relativity as (re)created in fiction. When inventing peculiar worlds in their books, many writers, among them such different authors as J.R.R. Tolkien, Anthony Burges, Will Self, created specific languages for the inhabitants of these worlds to speak and think. The discussion at the session is expected to touch on various aspects of fictitious linguistic relativity analyzed within the framework of cognitive science, including the following questions: -- What cognitive need prompts authors to invented languages for fictitious worlds or, alternatively, create fictitious worlds where invented languages can be spoken? -- What categorizations do these invented languages represent? How do these categorizations contribute to ensuring the uniqueness and authenticity of the fictitious worlds? -- What are the relationships between an invented language and a real language/ real languages? -- What cognitive difficulties may/ do readers encounter when interpreting messages in invented languages? -- What cognitive structures and mechanisms are employed by readers to understand invented languages? -- How are the conceptual and semantic gaps between invented languages and real languages bridged? -- What is the correlation between real linguistic relativity and fictitious linguistic relativity? Message 2: Reshaping the Mould: Literature and Language Studies

Date: 20-Oct-2008 From: Anjum Saleemi ncnu.edu.tw> Subject: Reshaping the Mould: Literature and Language Studie Full Title: Reshaping the Mould: Literature and Language Studies Short Title: RMLLS Date: 19-Jan-2009 - 21-Jan-2009 Location: Lahore, Pakistan Contact Person: Anjum Saleemi Meeting Email: confellgcuhotmail.com & confellgcugcu.edu.pk Web Site: http://www.gcu.edu.pk Linguistic Field(s): Ling & Literature Call Deadline: 29-Oct-2008 Meeting Description: The overarching theme of the conference is the triple nexus between the study of English literature, the English language, and the scientific study of language known as linguistics. Call for Papers Reminder and Extension of Deadline: 29-Oct-2008 This is a call for abstracts for an international conference on literature and language studies that the GC University, Lahore, Pakistan (www.gcu.edu.pk), is planning to organize (pending approval of funding) in January 2009 in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. The conference proceedings will span three days, namely, 19-21 January. The overarching theme of the conference is the triple nexus between the study of English literature, of the English language, and the scientific study of language known as linguistics, a nexus that exists as it does today in many parts of the world in large measure due to historical convenience. The situation in general seems to be riddled with a number of paradoxes: for instance, often the distinctions between (i) English literature and the literature of non-English origins, i.e., literature in English and literature accessed through translation into English, (ii) the study of English for the purposes of attaining functional proficiency in the language, and (iii) the scientific investigation of language as a universal human cognitive system, get blurred in pursuit of what has been administratively the parent discipline in a large number of postcolonial contexts, i.e., English literature or, more generally speaking, English studies. Not infrequently the ambiguity of this situation makes people consider these other more or less related disciplines as mere extensions of the study of English language and literature within which the disciplines in question are perceived to coexist as a result of an unwritten uneasy truce between them. This conference aims to bring together researchers and writers who are keen to discuss this state of affairs, not necessarily in a confrontational manner. In addition, those who do not intend to directly challenge the status quo, or present alternatives to it, will also have an opportunity to present their research on a substantial aspect of any of these three areas of investigation, as one of the major aims of the conference is to enhance an understanding of some significant academic issues regardless of the boundary disputes implied earlier, thus accepting their overlapping coexistence as an unavoidable practical reality which should not prevent people from moving on within the peculiar situation they find themselves in respectively, a strategy which might result in some of the demarcational faculty disputes simply being left behind, or in their disappearance from the academic scene altogether without any definitive resolution. Thus, the conference is likely to envisage, indeed encourage, a revisionist agenda, but not at the expense of the inherent value of the research accomplished within the prevalent framework (such as it is!). We invite abstracts (from literary scholars, linguists, language teachers, area study specialists, etc., including graduate students) on the specific theme(s) described above, but also on many other relevant themes, some of which are listed below. It goes without saying that the abstracts submitted need not to be confined to the following list, which is not intended to be exhaustive. The conference presentations are likely to consist of sessions organized around specific themes, and will in addition be interspersed with discussion sessions. Each individual presentation will be expected to last 20 minutes (leaving aside the keynote speakers), to be followed by a question-answer session of 10-minutes' duration. 1. Fundamental research and criticism; literary theory in general. 2. The humanizing role of literature in education. 3. The English language and its postcolonial discontents. 4. Literature and linguistics. 5. The significance of linguistics as a discipline. 6. The English language in South Asia. 7. The South Asian literature in English. 8. Educational implications of literature and linguistics. 9. Linguistics and language teaching. 10. Literature and language teaching. Keynote Speakers: The following have accepted the invitation to be the keynote speakers: Graeme Cane, Aga Khan University Vivian Cook, University of Newcastle Muhammed Hanif (author of A Case of Exploding Mangoes) Jason Harding, University of Durham Alamgir Hashmi, PIDE Tariq Rahman, Quaid-e-Azam University Rajendra Singh, University of Montreal Shaista Sonnu Sirajuddin, Punjab University Abstract Submission: Two copies of each abstract should be sent: one anonymous, and the other with the name and the affiliation of the author(s). These should preferably be submitted through e-mail to the address specified below. Not exceeding 500 words (excluding any references, data, tables, etc.), the abstracts must be in the Word/A4 format, single-spaced, justified on both sides with a 1½ inch margin on and the left and the right of the text and also at the top and the bottom of a page. They should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman, with the title in bold 14-point of the same type of font. Authors may submit at most two abstracts, individually or as a joint author. Likewise, no more than two abstracts may be submitted by the same set of joint authors. Further, there is a possibility that a selection of the papers presented will be submitted to a reputable publisher as a volume to be published. General Information: The delegates (with the exception of the keynote speakers) will be expected to pay and arrange for their accommodation themselves. However, the organizers will do their best to help them locate appropriate places. Further detailed information regarding travel, accommodation and other hospitality arrangements will be posted on the conference website in due course. It might as well be mentioned that the neo-Gothic GCU campus, the venue of the conference, was built around 150 years ago, and is located near the heart of the historic city of Lahore (that is, just outside the walled inner city). Registration: The participants whose abstracts have been accepted must pre-register for the conference at least four weeks in advance. Other delegates may register on-site. The registration fee is US$ 20.00 for international participants, and PakRs 300.00 for Pakistani participants. This may be transmitted to conference account by means of mode(s) of transfer that will soon be specified on the conference website. Important Dates and Addresses: E-mail address for submission of abstracts and inquiries: confellgcugcu.edu.pk and confellgcuhotmail.com. Note: Please send your abstracts to both the e-mail addresses specified above. Organizing Committee: Convener: Nosheen Khan Chief Organizer: Anjum P. Saleemi (saleemigcu.edu.pk, anjum_saleemihotmail.com) Organizer: Shahzeb Khan (shahzebkhangcu.edu.pk, shahzeb25msn.com) Members: Siddique Awan, Saira Fatima Dogar, Arooj Ehsan, Rida Iqtidar, Saima Jabeen, Mahrukh Nishaat, Shafaat Yar Khan, Asma Zulfiqar

PAKISTANI ENGLISH

PAKISTANI ENGLISH Short forms PakE, PE. The English language as used in Pakistan, a variety of SOUTH ASIAN ENGLISH close to that of northern India. English has had co-official status with URDU since independence in 1947, but the constitution of 1959 and the amendments of 1968, 1972, and 1985 recognize URDU as pre-eminent and restrict the use of English, the aim being its eventual replacement. Both are minority languages. In 1981, the president appointed a study whose report recommended that ‘Urdu should continue to be the only medium of instruction at the school level, with no exception’ (1982), but that English and ARABIC be introduced as additional languages from class six (sixth grade: age 11); a federal agency should ensure that the policy is implemented. English is an important medium in a number of leading educational institutions. It is the main language of technology, international business, and communication among a national élite, and a major element in the media. The constitution and the laws of the land are codified in English, and the Pakistan Academy of Letters recognizes works in English for its literature award. It also has a considerable influence on the vernacular languages; S. Hands notes that in personal interaction, ‘the use of an English word is believed to add a note of refinement and elegance to conversation in the “lower” languages’ (Pakistan: A Country Study, 4th edition, The American University, Washington, DC, 1983).

Pronunciation and grammar

(1) PakE is RHOTIC, tends to be syllable-timed, and shares many features with northern INDIAN ENGLISH. (2) Some pronunciation features are typical of speakers of regional languages: for example, speakers of Punjabi have difficulty with such initial consonant clusters as /sk, sp/ (saying ‘səport’ and ‘səkool’ for sport and school); Urdu speakers also have difficulty with initial consonant clusters (saying ‘isport’ and ‘iskool’ for sport and school); Pashto speakers have no such difficulty, but use /p/ for /f/ (‘pood’ for food). (3) Distinctive grammatical features relate to uses of the verb, article, relative clause, preposition, and adjective and verb complementation, all shared with IndE. Features of the indigenous languages influence use of English and CODE-MIXING AND CODE-SWITCHING are common, including among the highly educated.

Vocabulary

(1) BORROWINGS from Urdu and the regional languages: atta flour, tehsil district, ziarat religious place. (2) LOAN TRANSLATIONS from these languages: cousin-brother. (3) Terms shared with Indian English: crore ten million, lakh one hundred thousand, -wallah a word element denoting ‘one who does something as an occupation’, as with policewallah. (4) Hybrids of English and local languages: biradarism favouring one's clan or family, gheraoed surrounded by protesters in an office or similar place and unable to leave, goondaism hooliganism, thuggish behaviour. (5) English words, especially compounds, adapted for local use: age-barred over the age for (particular work), load-shedding intermittently shutting off a supply of electricity.

Media and literature

Pakistan has a strong English-language press. Most major cities have daily and weekly newspapers; in all, there are 20 dailies, 35 weeklies, 33 fortnightlies, 152 monthlies, and 111 quarterlies. They include The Muslim, Daily News, Dawn, Morning News, Star, Pakistan Times, and Khyber Mail. Pakistani literature in English is developing in various genres and several writers have acquired national and international recognition, such as Ahmad Ali, Bapsi Sidhwa, Zulfikar Ghose, A. Hashmi, and Hanif Kureishi. The educated variety used by Pakistan radio and television serves as the model for teaching and learning English throughout the country.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

• MLA
• Chicago
• APA

TOM McARTHUR. "PAKISTANI ENGLISH." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2010 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

TOM McARTHUR. "PAKISTANI ENGLISH." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2010). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O29-PAKISTANIENGLISH.html

TOM McARTHUR. "PAKISTANI ENGLISH." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Retrieved February 12, 2010 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O29-PAKISTANIENGLISH.html

Learn more about citation styles

Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research

(Including press releases, facts, information, and biographies)

<div> <table id="'Table1'" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0" class="malt"> <tbody> {#foreach $T.Malts as record} <tr class="'maltrow'"> <td class="maltimg" name="PubLogo"> <img class="pubLogo" src="{$T.record.PubLogoUrl}" alt="{$T.record.Publication}" title="{$T.record.Publication}" style="border-width: 0px;" /> </td> <td> <a href="{$T.record.TitleLinkUrl}" class="maltlink" onclick="OmnitureClick('ReferenceDocument2008.ArticleeMALT');" rel="nofollow">{$T.record.Title}</a> <br /> <strong style="display: inline;"><span name="ByLine" class="'maltbyline'">{$T.record.PublictionSource} {$T.record.Author} {$T.record.PublicationDate} {$T.record.WordCount}</span> </strong> <span class="maltarticlewrap">{$T.record.Teaser}</span> </td> </tr> {#/for} </tbody> </table> </div>

Searching…

No Results

	Major news items in leading Pakistani English newspaper News Wire article from: Xinhua News Agency June 29, 2003 700+ words Major news items in leading Pakistani English newspaper ISLAMABAD, June 29 (Xinhua...are the major news items in leading Pakistani English newspaper on Sunday. Dawn: -- The Pakistani National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir...
	Major News Items in Leading Pakistani English Newspapers News Wire article from: Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2000 700+ words ...are major news items in leading Pakistani English newspapers on Friday. The Nation...people. The News: Indian and Pakistani border officials have agreed...Indian Border Security Force and Pakistani Rangers. China on Thursday criticized...
	Major News Items in Leading Pakistani English Newspapers (repeat with... News Wire article from: Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2000 700+ words ...are major news items in leading Pakistani English newspapers on Friday. The Nation...people. The News: Indian and Pakistani border officials have agreed...Indian Border Security Force and Pakistani Rangers. China on Thursday criticized...
	Major News Items in Pakistani English Newspapers News Wire article from: Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2000 700+ words Following are major news items in Pakistani English newspapers on Saturday. The Frontier Post: The Pakistani Supreme Court on Friday validated the...military take-over. The News: The Pakistani rupee in the inter-bank market on...
	Major News Items in Leading Pakistani English Newspaper article from: Xinhua English Newswire September 4, 1998 700+ words ...following are major news items in leading Pakistani English newspapers Friday. The Nation...parliamentary party. The Frontier Post: Pakistani rupee plunged to new lows against...afghan town of Kandahar in a special Pakistani plane.
	News Items in Leading Pakistani English Newspapers News Wire article from: Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2000 700+ words ...are major news items in leading Pakistani English newspapers on Monday. The News...Islamabad on Monday for talks with Pakistani officials on convening his country...Afghan conflict. The Nation: The Pakistani rupee kept fluctuating within...
	Major News Items in Pakistani English Newspapers ISLAMABAD, April 28 News Wire article from: Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2000 700+ words Following are major news items in Pakistani English newspapers on Friday. The News: Chief Executive General...conditions for resumption of dialogue. The Frontier Post: The Pakistani government in principle has decided to launch crack down...
	Major News Items In Pakistani English Newspapers News Wire article from: Xinhua News Agency May 7, 2000 700+ words Following are major news items in Pakistani English newspapers on Sunday: Pakistan Observer While the drought...The Frontier Post Director General of Afghanistan in the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, Ayaz Wazir on Saturday left for Saudi...
	Major News Items In Pakistani English Newspapers ISLAMABAD, March 16 Newspaper article from: Xinhua English Newswire March 16, 2000 700+ words following are major news items in Pakistani English newspapers on Thursday: Pakistan Observer A Pakistani foreign office spokesman said on Wednesday that Pakistan has always believed that there is only "one China and thegovernment of the People...
	Major News Items In Pakistani English Newspapers ISLAMABAD, March 10 Newspaper article from: Xinhua English Newswire March 10, 2000 700+ words following are major news items in Pakistani English newspapers on Friday. The News: Chief Executive General...to Pakistan because the United States is a friendof the Pakistani nation while the Musharraf government is a de facto regime...

For more facts and information, see all related premium articles

Related entries from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses

<div> <table id="'Table1'" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0" class="malt"> <tbody> {#foreach $T.Malts as record} <tr class="'maltrow'"> <td class="maltimg" name="PubLogo"> <img class="pubLogo" src="{$T.record.PubLogoUrl}" alt="{$T.record.Publication}" title="{$T.record.Publication}" style="border-width: 0px;" /> </td> <td> <a href="{$T.record.TitleLinkUrl}" class="maltlink" onclick="OmnitureClick('ReferenceDocument2008.ArticleeMALT');" rel="nofollow">{$T.record.Title}</a> <br /> <strong style="display: inline;"><span name="ByLine" class="'maltbyline'">{$T.record.PublictionSource}</span> </strong> <span class="maltarticlewrap">{$T.record.Teaser}</span> </td> </tr> {#/for} </tbody> </table> </div>

Searching…

	PAKISTANI ENGLISH Book article from: Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language PAKISTANI ENGLISH Short forms PakE , PE . The English...literature Pakistan has a strong English-language press. Most major cities...Pakistan Times , and Khyber Mail . Pakistani literature in English is developing in various genres...
	English Americans Encyclopedia entry from: Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America ...two million Asian Indians, Pakistani, West Indians, and other...Seventy-eight percent of the English population belong to the Church...union jack," has a broad red English cross (of St. George) with...of royal blue. HISTORY The English descend from the Celtic tribes...
	Pakistan Encyclopedia entry from: World Press Encyclopedia ...and 8 percent speak English, which is considered the lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government...broader reach than the English-language papers...of distribution, the English-language papers seem...42.7 percent of the Pakistani population (age 15...
	Khan, A. Q. Encyclopedia entry from: Encyclopedia of World Biography ...predicted, according to a Pakistani biography of Khan quoted by...in 1960 he got a job as a Pakistani government inspector, but...other. He was also fluent in English, Urdu, and Hindi, and spoke...Volunteered Services to Pakistani Government In 1971 eastern...
	BANGLADESH Book article from: Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language ...Bengali (official), English for higher education, indigenous...languages. Local links with English date from the 17c; from...independent. During the Pakistani period, Urdu was the national language, and English was the official second...

The Little Oxford English-Urdu Dictionary

Dictionary

Shanul Haq Haqee

$25.00

Paperback, Jun 2005

ISBN13: 9780195978995ISBN10: 0195978994

A handy pocket edition of the authoritative dictionary of English-Urdu

More

Add to Cart

Four Walls and a Black Veil

Fahmida Riaz

$19.95

Hardback, Dec 2004

ISBN13: 9780195977110ISBN10: 0195977114

A sparkling new translation of Fahmida Riaz's poetry

More

The Penitence of Nasooh and The Story of Nazir Ahmad in His Words and Mine

Nazir Ahmad

$24.00

Paperback, May 2008

ISBN13: 9780195473872ISBN10: 0195473876

The first book is a translation of Taubatun Nassoh and the second book is a biographical account of Nazir Ahmad

More

Literature/English > World Literature > Pakistan

The Light

The History of the Movement for Progressive Literature in the Indo-Pakistan Sub Continent

Sajjad Zaheer

$40.00

Hardback, May 2006

ISBN13: 9780195471557ISBN10: 0195471555

An insider's history of a literary movement that transformed a national literature

More

Literature/English > World Literature > Pakistan

Add to Cart

The Distance of a Shout

Expanded Edition

Kishwar Naheed

$12.95

Hardback, May 2005

ISBN13: 9780195979770ISBN10: 019597977X

A bilingual collection of work from a major Urdu poet

More

Pakistan's Islamists Target English Literature Classics

Some of the great works of English literature could be scrapped from the syllabus of one of Pakistan's leading universities because of what professors fear is a rising tide of Muslim fundamentalism. A review of books studied in the English courses at Punjab University in Lahore singled...

Some of the great works of English literature could be scrapped from the syllabus of one of Pakistan's leading universities because of what professors fear is a rising tide of Muslim fundamentalism.

A review of books studied in the English courses at Punjab University in Lahore singled out several texts, including Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock, Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, and Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels as containing offensive sexual connotations which were deemed "vulgar".

Academics from the English department have fiercely resisted the proposed culling of the syllabus and warn of other moves to curtail liberal and critical opinion in favour of Islamist thinking. "Ordinary, professional liberals feel that there is no space for us in our own town now," said a senior academic. "I feel increasingly that Lahore is polarised and the threshold of tolerance is falling."

The review appears to have been triggered by complaints made about the syllabus by the wife of a retired army general. She criticised the inclusion of two poems, including one by WH Auden, which she said promoted Jews, and a poem by Vikram Seth, who she said was too pro-Indian. She also said the poems of Adrienne Rich were unsuitable for study because she is a lesbian. "We have been tolerant for too long," the general's wife said in a meeting with academics from the department.

President's wife

She reportedly passed her criticisms on to the wife of General Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's president, who asked the retired army officers who run the university to take up the case.

The review of books on the English literature undergraduate and masters syllabus was conducted by Shahbaz Arif, a lecturer in English, who in an interview staunchly defended his proposal to rule out dozens of texts studied around the world. He said the books he had singled out used "vulgar words" and left students who came from conservative backgrounds and had poor spoken English "shy" and "embarrassed".

"Limitations should be there, it is required," said Dr Arif, adding that he himself was westernised, citing his PhD in linguistics from Essex University. "The majority of students come from a background where literature is not available. Sex is a taboo. It is very difficult to teach these things in the classroom. We have to be very careful in the selection of texts."

But an internal memo drawn up by Dr Arif and seen by the Guardian reveals the startling nature of his criticisms. He begins a section about books on the masters syllabus by saying: "Almost every second text in the syllabus contains direct/indirect references of vulgarity and sexuality." He highlights Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises: "All characters sexually astray: men homosexuals; females lesbians/promiscuous; Brett Ashley nymphomaniac and so on." The list includes Pope's The Rape of the Lock, about which Dr Arif says: "The title of the book itself shows vulgarity."

He then highlights a book of John Donne's poetry, saying: "Almost every poem has the connotation of sex where the poet wants to take every lady to bed for sexual pleasure." Other books are criticised for scenes involving alcohol.

Perhaps the most bizarre criticism is of a Sean O'Casey play, The End of the Beginning. Dr Arif makes no specific comment on the text but quotes several passages in which the apparently objectionable phrases are underlined. They include the phrase: "When the song ended, Darry cocks his ear and listens." Dr Arif has underlined the word "cocks".

Dr Arif said his proposals would go before the next meeting of the university's board of studies, which has the final say on the syllabus. Many on the board say his suggestions will be shot down immediately. Professors in the English department, who have now been ordered not to speak to the press, have been incensed by the proposals.

"This is something that has been working gradually and slowly over time. This is cashing in on the fundamentalists," one academic said. "You are not going to stop talking just because the human anatomy is being discussed," said another professor. "We have to teach our students that there is a whole world out there."

Lahore, Pakistan's pulsing cultural heart, is the city where the country's largest and most ideologically rigorous Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, has its headquarters.

In the wake of a surprisingly strong performance at elections last October, Pakistan's religious right has become increasingly assertive. In Peshawar, religious parties control the provincial parliament and have voted to impose sharia law. In Lahore, advertising billboards depicting women have been painted over and western soft drinks have been banned from sale in the university.

Professors have spent hours in fierce arguments beating off an attempt, endorsed by the religious parties, to drop English as a compulsory subject at undergraduate level.

Masood ul-Haq, a retired army colonel and the university's registrar, said no books on the syllabus would change. The row was simply a "tussle" between Dr Arif and others in the English department, and Dr Arif had been moved to another department. "We are proud to be Muslim but we are broad-minded Muslims," Col ul-Haq said. "There is nothing known as fundamentalism in this university and nothing known as fundamentalism in Islam."

The offending texts

Extracts of texts with "references of vulgarity and sexuality" include:

Paul Scott, The Jewel in the Crown

"He tore at my underclothes and pressed down on me with all his strength. But this was not me and Hari. Entering me he made me cry out. And then it was us."

Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises

"What if Brett did sleep with you? She's slept with lots of better people than you."

(Lecturer Shahbaz Arif writes: "All characters sexually astray: men homosexuals; females lesbians/promiscuous; Brett Ashley nymphomaniac and so on.")

Tomas (sic) Hardy, Tess of the D'Urber Villes (sic)

"To Tess's horror the dark queen began stripping off the bodice of her gown - which for the added reason of its ridiculed condition she was only too glad to be free of - till she had bared her plump neck, shoulders, and arms to the moonshine, under which they looked as luminous and beautiful as some Praxitelean creation, in their possession of the faultless rotundities of a lusty country girl."

Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels

"I must confess no Object ever disgusted me so much as the sight of her monstrous Breast, which I cannot tell what to compare with, so as to give the curious Reader an idea of its Bulk, Shape and Colour. It stood prominent six Foot, and could not be less than sixteen in Circumference. The Nipple was about half the Bigness of my Head, and the Hew both of that and the Dug so varified with Spots, Pimples and Freckles, that nothing could appear more nauseous."

Alexander Pope, The Rape of the Lock

(Dr Arif writes: "The title of the book itself shows vulgarity.")

John Donne, Love Poems and Divine Poems in Metaphysical Poetry

"Enter these armes, for since thou thoughtst it best,

Not to dreame all my dreame, let's act the rest."

(Dr Arif writes: "Almost every poem has the connotation of sex where the poet wants to take every lady to bed for sexual pleasure.")

Sean O'Casey, The End of the Beginning

"I've seen you, when you thought I slumbered 'n slept with nothing at all on you, doing your physical jerks in front of the looking-glass."

"When the song ended, Darry cocks his ear and listens."

Edmond See, An Old Friend

"They gave me five or six cherry brandies during each performance. It took the place of a meal because alcohol is nourishing and it warms you."

Women, English Literature and Identity Construction in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Department of English Language and Literature, Baha-ud-Din Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.

The present study attempts to understand young Pakistani women's identities in relation to their aspirations for higher degrees in English literature. The research reported here is part of a larger ongoing study aimed at exploring linkages between young women's literacy practices in various languages and their concepts of self and identity. The feminist techniques of unstructured in-depth interviews backed up with a self-participatory approach and participant observation were used to capture the richness and fluidity of women's public and private identities. The analysis and findings suggest that despite resistance shown by women to Western culture and ideologies, they do take on new subjectivities and positionalities as they tend to imbibe the norms and values associated with English. The wider exposure to English at an institution of higher education opens up windows to the world, to Western ideologies and world-view, coupled with access to the Internet, cable channels, literary texts, books and magazines. Often in expressing personal aspirations that are contrary to their more traditional roles there is also a certain resistance to this cultural invasion; the women seem to project distinct hybrid identities that are dichotomous and conflictual.

References

• Ali, Shaheen S. 1993. ‘Misogynistic Trends in Islamic Jurisprudence’, in K. Naheed (ed.), Women: Myth and Realities, pp. 142–58. Lahore: Hawwa Associates .
• Anderson, Pauline and Jenny Williams (eds). 2001. Identity and Difference in Higher Education. Aldershot, Burlington: Ashgate .
• Bakhtin, M. 1981. ‘Discourse in the Novel’, in M. Holquist (ed.), The Dialogic Imagination: Four Essays by M.M. Bakhtin, pp. 259–422. Austin, TX: University of Texas .
• Baumgardner, Robert (ed.). 1993. The English Language in Pakistan. Karachi: Oxford University Press .
• Canagarajah, Suresh. 1999. Resisting Linguistic Imperialism in English Teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press .
• Fingeret, Hanna Arlene and Cassandra Drennon. 1997. Literacy for Life: Adult Learners New Practices. New York and London: Teacher's College Press, Columbia University .
• Frith, Gill. 1981. ‘Little Women, Good Wives: Is English Good for Girls?’ in A. McRobbie and T. McCabe (eds), Feminism For Girls: An Adventure Story. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul .
• Haeri, Shahla. 2002. No Shame for the Sun: Lives of Professional Pakistani Women. New York: Syracuse University Press .
• Hall, G.M. 2006. ‘Literature as Social Practice’, in S. Goodman and K. O'Halloran (eds), The Art of English Literary Creativity, pp. 457–58. London: Palgrave Macmillan .
• Haque, A.R. 1993. ‘The Position and Status of English in Pakistan’, in R. Buamgardner (ed.), The English Language in Pakistan, pp. 13–18. Karachi: Oxford University Press .
• Holland, D., W. Lachiocotte, and D. Skinner. 1998. Identity and Agency in Cultural Worlds. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press .
• Housee, Shirin. 2001. ‘Insiders and/or Outsiders: Black Female Voices From The Academy’, in P. Anderson and J. Williams (eds), Identity and Difference in Higher Education, pp. 799–815. Aldershot, Burlington: Ashgate .
• Khan, Nighat, Rubina Saigol and Afiya Zia (eds). 1994. Locating the Self: Perspectives on Women And Multiple Identities. Lahore: ASR .
• Lerner, G. 1987. The Creation of Patriarchy. New York: Oxford University Press .
• Long, E. 2003. Book Clubs: Women and the Uses of Reading in Everyday Life. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press .
• Malik, Farida. 1994. The Teaching of English in Pakistan. Lahore: Vangaurd .
• Mansoor, Sabiha. 2003. Punjabi, Urdu, English in Pakistan: A Sociolinguistic Study. Lahore: Vangaurd .
• Mernissi, Fatima. 1993. ‘The Fundamentalist Obsession with Women’, in K. Naheed (ed.), Women: Myth and Realities, pp. 112–32. Lahore: Hawwa Associates .
• Millet, Kate. 1970. Sexual Politics. London: Virago .
• Moi, T. 1985. Sexual/Textual Politics. London: Methuen .
• Nafisi, A. 2004. Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books. London: Harper Collins .
• Parr, Janet. 2000. Identity and Education: The Links for Mature Women Students. Burlington, Singapore and Sydney: Ashgate .
• Pennycook, Alastair. 1998. English and the Discourses of Colonialism. London and New York: Routledge .
• Pennycook, Alastair. 2001. Critical Applied Linguistics. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum .
• Punjab Social Services Board. 1984. NGO's Literacy Movement. Punjab Social Services Board .
• Rahman, Tariq. 2002. Language Ideology and Power. Karachi: Oxford University Press .
• Shamim, Fauzia. 1996. ‘Learner Resistance to Innovation in Classroom Methodology’, in Hywel Coleman (ed.), Society and the Language Classroom, pp. 105–21. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press .
• Sidhwa, Bapsi. 1993. ‘New English Creative Writing: A Pakistani Writer's Perspective’, in R. Buamgardner (ed.), The English Language in Pakistan, pp. 212–20. Karachi: Oxford University Press .
• Street, B. 1993. Cross-cultural Approaches to Literacy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press .
• Stromquist, Nelly P. 1997. Literacy for Citizenship: Gender and Grassroots Dynamics in Brazil. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press .
• Thomas, Kim. 1990. Gender and Subject in Higher Education. Buckingham and Bristol: Open University Press and the Society for Research into Higher Education .
• Walby, S. 1990. Theorizing Patriarchy. Oxford: Blackwell .
• Weedon, Chris. 1987. Feminism and Poststructuralist Theory. Oxford: Blackwell .
• Woolf, Virginia. 1998. ‘Women and Fiction’, in D. Cameron (ed.), The Feminist Critique of Language, pp. 33–40. London: Routledge .
• Yagelski, Robert. 2000. Literacy Matters: Writing and Reading the Social Self. London and New York: Teacher's College Press .
• Zubair, Shirin. 1990. ‘The Role and Status of English in Pakistan in Relation to the English Curriculum’. Unpublished MA thesis, Cardiff University, Wales.
• Zubair, Shirin. 1999. ‘Women's Literacies in a Rural Pakistani Community: An Ethnographic Study’. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Cardiff University, Wales.
• Zubair, Shirin. 2001. ‘Literacies, Gender and Power in Rural Pakistan’, in B.V. Street (ed.), Literacy and Development: Ethnographic Perspectives, pp. 118–204. London: Routledge .
• Zubair, Shirin. 2003. ‘ Women's Critical Literacies in a Pakistani Classroom ’, Changing English, 10(2): 163–73 .[CrossRef]
• Zubair, Shirin. 2004. ‘Qualitative Methods in Researching Women's Literacy: A Case Study’, in A. Robinson-Pant (ed.), Women Literacy and Development: Alternative Perspectives, pp. 85–99. London: Routledge .
• Zubair, Shirin. 2005. ‘ Just a Time-pass: Acknowledgement/Denial of Sexual Harassment in Young Women's Discourse ’, Hawwa Journal of Women of the Middle East and the Islamic World, 3(2): 197–215

Culture of Pakistan

his article has multiple issues. Please help improve the article or discuss these issues on the talk page.

• It needs additional references or sources for verification. Tagged since July 2009.
• It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. Tagged since September 2007.
• It may need copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. Tagged since February 2008.
• It may require general cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Tagged since January 2009.

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

The society and culture of Pakistan (Urdu: پاکستانی ثقافت) comprises numerous diverse cultures and ethnic groups from the Punjabis and Sindhis in the east to the tribal cultures of the Baloch and Pashtun in the west and the ancient Dardic in the north. These Pakistani cultures have been greatly influenced by many of the surrounding countries' cultures, such as those of Turkish, Persian, Afghan, and Indians of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East.

In ancient times, Pakistan was a major cultural hub and the home of ancient civilizations, such as the Indus Valley Civilization - one of the first 'settled' peoples. Many cultural practices and great monuments have been inherited from the time of the ancient rulers of the region. One of the greatest cultural influences is that of the Persian Empire. Other key influences include the Afghan Empire and later the short lived but influential Mughal Empire.

Pakistan has a rich cultural and ethnic background going back to the Indus Valley Civilization, 2800 BC – 1800 BC. A civilization remarkable for its ordered cities, advanced-planned sanitation, straight roads and uniquely structured society. Present day Pakistan has been invaded many times in the past. it has been occupied and settled by many different peoples each of whom have left their imprint on the current inhabitants of the country. Some of the largest groups were the 'Aryans', Greeks, Scythians, Persians, White Huns, Arabs, Turks, Mongols and other Eurasian groups right up until the British who left in the late 1940s.

The region has formed a distinct cultural unit within the main cultural complex of South Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia from the earliest times.^[1] There are differences in culture among the different ethnic groups in matters such as dress, food, and religion, especially where pre-Islamic customs differ from Islamic practices. Their cultural origins also show influences from far afield; including from: Tibet, Nepal, India and eastern Afghanistan. All groups show varying degrees of significant influence from Persia, Turkestan and Hellenistic Greece. Pakistan was the first region of South Asia to receive the full impact of Islam and has developed a distinct Islamic identity, historically different from areas further west.^[1]

Diwan-e-Khas: The hall of special audience with the emperor

Bahauddin Zakariya

Ancient sites in Pakistan include: Zorastrian, Buddhist, Hindu and Pagan temples and shrines, gardens, tombs, palaces, monuments, pleasure grounds and Mughal and Indo-Saracenic buildings. Sculpture is dominated by Greco-Buddhist friezes, and crafts by ceramics, jewellery, silk goods and engraved woodwork and metalwork.

Pakistani society is largely multilingual, multi-ethnic and multicultural. Though cultures within the country differ to some extent, more similarities than differences can be found as most Pakistanis are of mainly 'Aryan' heritage and/or have lived side by side along the Indus River for the past several thousand years and coexisted. However, over 60 years of integration, a distinctive "Pakistani" culture has sprung up especially in the urban areas. Education is highly regarded by members of every socio-economic stratum. Traditional family values are highly respected and considered sacred, although urban families increasingly form nuclear families, owing to socio-economic constraints imposed by the traditional culture of the extended family.

The past few decades have seen emergence of a middle class in cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Quetta, Faisalabad, Sukkur, Peshawar, Sialkot, Abbottabad and Multan. Rural areas of Pakistan are regarded as more conservative and are dominated by regional tribal customs dating back hundreds of years.

Contents [hide] 1 Literature 1.1 History 1.2 Poetry 2 Performing arts 2.1 Music 2.2 Dance 2.3 Drama and theatre 3 Visual arts 3.1 Painting 3.2 Architecture 4 Recreation and sports 5 Cuisine 6 Festivals 6.1 Ramadan 6.2 Chand Raat 6.3 Eid celebrations 6.4 Milaad un Nabi 6.5 Muharram (Ashura) 6.6 Jashn-e-Baharan 6.7 Nowruz 6.8 Independence Day 6.9 Defense Day Parade 7 Popular media 7.1 Television 7.2 Radio 7.3 Cinema 8 National Dress 9 Globalization 10 Mercantile culture 11 Social Culture 12 Cultural traditions 12.1 Race/genetics 13 Holidays 14 References 15 External links

[edit] Literature

Iqbal in deep thought; The picture earned him the Famous title of "The Thinker"

Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan is considered to be the most influential poet of the Urdu language

[edit] History

Main articles: Pakistani literature, Urdu, and Books and publishing in Pakistan

Pakistani literature, that is, the literature of Pakistan, as a distinct lite gained its nationhood as a sovereign state in 1947. The common and shared tradition of Urdu literature and English literature of South Asia was inherited by the new state. Over a period of time, a body of literature unique to Pakistan has emerged in nearly all major Pakistani languages, including Urdu, English, Punjabi, Pushto, Seraiki Baluchi, and Sindhi. In the 1946 elections for the Constituent Assembly of India, the Congress won most of the elected seats, while the League won a large majority of Muslim electorate seats. The 1946 British Cabinet Mission to India released a plan on May 16, calling for a united Indian state comprising considerably autonomous provinces, and called for "groups" of provinces formed on the basis of religion. A second plan released on June 16, called for the separation of South Asia along religious lines, with princely states to choose between accession to the dominion of their choice or independence. The Congress, fearing India's fragmentation, criticised the May 16 proposal and rejected the June 16 plan. Jinnah gave the League's assent to both plans, knowing that power would go only to the party that had supported a plan. After much debate and against Gandhi's advice that both plans were divisive, the Congress accepted the May 16 plan while condemning the grouping principle.[citation needed] Jinnah decried this acceptance as "dishonesty", accused the British negotiators of "treachery",[34] and withdrew the League's approval of both plans. The League boycotted the assembly, leaving the Congress in charge of the government but denying it legitimacy in the eyes of many Muslims. Jinnah gave a precise definition of the term 'Pakistan' in 1941 at Lahore in which he stated: Some confusion prevails in the minds of some individuals in regard to the use of the word 'Pakistan'. This word has become synonymous with the Lahore resolution owing to the fact that it is a convenient and compendious method of describing [it].... For this reason the British and Indian newspapers generally have adopted the word 'Pakistan' to describe the Moslem demand as embodied in the Lahore resolution.[35] Jinnah issued a call for all Muslims to launch "Direct Action" on August 16 to "achieve Pakistan".[36] Strikes and protests were planned, but violence broke out all over South Asia, especially in Calcutta and the district of Noakhali in Bengal, and more than 7,000 people were killed in Bihar. Although viceroy Lord Wavell asserted that there was "no satisfactory evidence to that effect",[37] League politicians were blamed by the Congress and the media for orchestrating the violence.[38] Interim Government portfolios were announced on October 25, 1946.[39] Muslim Leaguers were sworn in on October 26, 1946.[40] The League entered the interim government, but Jinnah refrained from accepting office for himself. This was credited as a major victory for Jinnah, as the League entered government having rejected both plans, and was allowed to appoint an equal number of ministers despite being the minority party. The coalition was unable to work, resulting in a rising feeling within the Congress that independence of Pakistan was the only way of avoiding political chaos and possible civil war. The Congress agreed to the division of Punjab and Bengal along religious lines in late 1946. The new viceroy Lord Mountbatten of Burma and Indian civil servant V. P. Menon proposed a plan that would create a Muslim dominion in West Punjab, East Bengal, and Sindh. After heated and emotional debate, the Congress approved the plan.[41] The North-West Frontier Province voted to join Pakistan in a referendum in July 1947. Jinnah asserted in a speech in Lahore on October 30, 1947 that the League had accepted independence of Pakistan because "the consequences of any other alternative would have been too disastrous to imagine."[42] The independent state of Pakistan, created on August 14, 1947, represented the outcome of a campaign on the part of the Indian Muslim community for a Muslim homeland which had been triggered by the British decision to consider transferring power to the people of India.[43] [edit]Views on statehood

[edit] Poetry

Main articles: Pakistani poetry and List of Urdu Poets

The Urdu language has a rich tradition of poetry and includes the famous poets Mirza Ghalib, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Ahmad Faraz and Ahmad Nadeem Qasimi. Apart from Urdu poetry, Pakistani poetry also has blends of other regional languages. Persian poetry, Balochi poetry, Sindhi poetry , Punjabi poetry, Seraiki Poetry and Pashtu poetry have all incorporated and influenced Pakistani poetry.

[edit] Performing arts

[edit] Music

Main article: Music of Pakistan

Pakistani music is represented by a wide variety of forms. It ranges from traditional styles such as Qawwali and Ghazal to more modern forms that try to fuse traditional Pakistani music with Western music. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was internationally renowned for creating a form of music which synchronized Qawwali with western music. Popular forms of music also prevail, the most notable being film music and Urdu and Punjabi pop music. In addition to this are the diverse traditions of folk music, as well as modern styles, with rock bands such as Junoon, Nazia Hassan and Zohaib Hassan being recognized internationally.

[edit] Dance

Classical dances such as Kathak patronised by the Mughals are on the decline in Pakistan due to lack of state patronage.

But folk dances are still popular in Pakistan and vary according to region such as:

• Bhangra -Punjab
• Luddi - Punjab
• Dhammal - Performed at Sufi shrines/ dargahs in Punjab and Sindh
• Attan - NWFP
• Khattak Dance - NWFP
• Jhumar - Siraiki and Balochi folk dance
• Ho Jamalo Sindhi dance
• Lewa - Baluchi folk dance

[edit] 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 deal with many themes from life events, often with a humorous touch.

[edit] Visual arts

[edit] Painting

Ustad Allah Baksh, Ajaz Anwar, Ismail Gulgee, Jamil Naqsh and Sadequain are very prominent painters of Pakistan. Pakistani vehicle art is a popular folk art.

[edit] Architecture

Main article: Pakistani architecture

The architecture of the areas now constituting Pakistan can be designated to four distinct periods — pre-Islamic, Islamic, colonial and post-colonial. With the beginning of the Indus civilization around the middle of the 3rd millennium^[2] B.C., an advanced urban culture developed for the first time in the region, with large structural facilities, some of which survive to this day.^[3]Mohenjo Daro, Harappa and Kot Diji belong to the pre-Islamic era settlements. The rise of Buddhism and the Persian and Greek influence led to the development of the Greco-Buddhist style, starting from the 1st century CE. The high point of this era was reached with the culmination of the Gandhara style. An example of Buddhist architecture is the ruins of the Buddhist monastery Takht-i-Bahi in the northwest province.

The arrival of Islam in today's Pakistan meant a sudden end of Buddhist architecture.^[4] However, a smooth transition to predominantly picture-less Islamic architecture occurred. The town of Uch Sharif contains the tombs of Bibi Jawindi, Baha'al-Halim and Jalaluddin Bukhari, which are considered some of the earliest examples of Islamic architecture in Pakistan and are on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. One of the most important of the few examples of the Persian style of architecture is the tomb of the Shah Rukn-i-Alam in Multan. During the Mughal era design elements of Islamic-Persian architecture were fused with and often produced playful forms of the Hindustani art. Lahore, occasional residence of Mughal rulers, exhibits a multiplicity of important buildings from the empire, among them the Badshahi mosque, the fortress of Lahore with the famous Alamgiri Gate, the colourful, still strongly Persian seeming Wazir Khan Mosque as well as numerous other mosques and mausoleums. The Shahjahan Mosque of Thatta in Sindh also originates from the epoch of the Mughals, as does the Mohabbat Khan Mosque in Peshawar.

In the British colonial age predominantly representative buildings of the Indo-European style developed, from a mixture of European and Indian-Islamic components. Post-colonial national identity is expressed in modern structures like the Faisal Mosque, the Minar-e-Pakistan and the Mazar-e-Quaid.

[edit] Recreation and sports

Main article: Sports In Pakistan

Polo is regarded as a traditional sport and played widely in the northern areas

Field hockey match between Pakistan and India

The official and national sport of Pakistan is field hockey and Polo is recognized as the State sport, although squash and cricket are also very popular. The national cricket team has won the Cricket World Cup once (in 1992), were runners-up once (in 1999) and co-hosted the games twice (in 1987 and 1996). They won the 20-20 International World Cup in 2009. The team has also won the Australasia Cup in 1986, 1990, and 1994. The country will also be hosting the 2011 Cricket World Cup with India and Bangladesh.

At an international level, Pakistan has competed many times at the Summer Olympics in field hockey, boxing, athletics, swimming, and shooting. Hockey is the sport that Pakistan has been most successful at the Olympics, with three gold medals (1960, 1968, 1984). Pakistan has also won the Hockey World Cup four times (1971, 1978, 1982, 1994).^[5] Pakistan has hosted several international competitions, including the SAFG in 1989 and 2004.

A1 Grand Prix racing is also becoming popular with the entry of a Pakistani team in the 2005 season. The Tour de Pakistan, modelled on the Tour de France, is an annual cycling competition that covers the length and breadth of Pakistan. Recently, football has grown in popularity across the country, where traditionally it had been played almost exclusively in the western province of Balochistan. Fifa has recently teamed up with the government to bring football closer to the northern areas too. Also, it is hoped that Pakistan will fare better in the Football World Cup qualifiers for 2010.

[edit] Cuisine

Main article: Cuisine of Pakistan

Culinary art in Pakistan comprises a mix of Middle Eastern, Indian, Iranian, Afghan, and Turkish cuisine that reflects the country's history as well as the variation of cooking practices from across the surrounding regions. Urban centres of the country offer an amalgamation of recipes from all parts of the country, while food with specific local ingredients and tastes is available in rural areas and villages. Besides the main dishes of curry with or without meat cooked with vegetables or lentils, there are a number of provincial specialties such as karahi, biryani and tikka in various forms and flavours, eaten alongside a variety of breads such as naan, chapati and roti.

There are also local forms of grilled meat or kebabs, desserts, and a variety of hot and cold drinks.

[edit] Festivals

Main article: Public holidays in Pakistan

[edit] Ramadan

The holiest month of the Islamic Calendar. It is widely observed in Pakistan during which Muslim Pakistanis (about 97% of the population) fast, attend mosques with increased frequency and recite Quran. Special foods are cooked in greater quantities, parties are held and special accommodation is made by workplaces and educational institutes.

[edit] Chand Raat

After an Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, just the night before Eid comes, everyone gets ready for Eid. In the night known as Chand Raat, girls put henna on their hands. Most people have parties at their house. People go out for the last minute shopping for gifts and sweets that will be given to friends and families. Even outside at the malls and the plazas, there are many colourful lights. There are large crowds in the city center to celebrate the beginning of Eid.

[edit] Eid celebrations

The two Eids, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha commemorate the passing of the month of fasting, Ramadan, and the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael for God. During these days there are national holidays and many festivals and events take place to celebrate Eid. As Pakistan is a Muslim state, there are three days off for all businesses and Government offices.

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

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

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

[edit] Milaad un Nabi

Milaad un Nabi is a known religious festival which is celebrated in many parts of Pakistan. The Milaad is the celebration for the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

[edit] Muharram (Ashura)

In Pakistan, the first ten days of Muharram are observed officially. The 10th day of Muharram is marked in the memory of Hussain, the grandson of Muhammad, who was a martyr, along with 72 family members, friends and followers during the Battle of Karbala. It is marked mainly among the Shia community of Pakistan.

[edit] Jashn-e-Baharan

Main article: Basant

Jashn-e-Baharan also referred to as Basant is a pre-Islamic Punjabi festival that marks the coming of spring. Celebrations in Pakistan are centered in Lahore and people from all over the country and abroad come to the city for the annual festivities. Kite flying competitions take place all over the city's rooftops during Basant (now prohibited). The fertile province of Punjab was intimately tied via its agriculture to the different seasons of the year. The arrival of Spring was an important event for all farmers and was welcomed with a celebration, hence the origins of Jashn (celebration) Baharan (spring).

[edit] Nowruz

This festival is like Nowruz of Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia. In Northern Pakistan (Chitral, Gilgit and Baltistan) Nowruz is celebrated as a socio-religious festival. It is also celebrated with much fervour in Balochistan and in almost all of Pakistan's major urban centres. The day coincides with the Spring Equinox on March 21, but the celebration continues for weeks. In Baltistan, the main features of Nowruz are the giving of coloured eggs to friends and polo matches. In Balochistan, the festival is marked with outdoor feasts, and the traditional jumping over a fire to wash away sins and usher in a fresh start. The origins of this festival are pre-Islamic and date back to when Pakistan was part of the Achaemenid and Sassanid Persian empires.

[edit] Independence Day

Main article: Independence Day (Pakistan)

On August 14, the people of Pakistan celebrate the day Pakistan gained its independence from British India for an independent state for Muslims. There are many celebrations all over the country, the streets are full of joyful people singing and dancing. Concerts are held with many pop and classical singers. Parades are held in the capital city (Islamabad). Many people decorate their houses and fly the flag of Pakistan. At night, fireworks are used in many cities. Many people pray for the country and reflect on their pride in the country of Pakistan.

[edit] Defense Day Parade

Joint Services Parade on March 23, 2005 in the capital, Islamabad

Main article: Pakistan Defence Day

September 6 is another patriotic day, when the Army of Pakistan is put on display for the general public to show Pakistan arms. All Government officials attend the ceremony and medals and recognitions are awarded to special people for their work. In March 2007, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) put on display the new joint manufactured Chinese-Pakistani aircraft called the JF-17 Thunder.

[edit] Popular media

[edit] Television

Main article: Television in Pakistan

See also: List of television stations in Pakistan

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

Television accounted for almost half of the advertising expenditure in Pakistan in 2002.[2]

[edit] Radio

Main article: Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation

See also: List of Pakistani radio channels and List of FM radio stations in Pakistan

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

[edit] Cinema

Main articles: Lahore International Children's Film Festival, Cinema of Pakistan, Kara Film Festival, and Cinepax

See also: List of Pakistani films, Lollywood, Pollywood, and Kariwood

An indigenous movie industry exists in Pakistan, and is known as "Lollywood" as it is based in Lahore, producing over forty feature-length films a year. In contrast, Indian movies are popular in Pakistan despite a ban since the Pakistan-India War in 1965. However, due to the massive film piracy industry in Pakistan, Indian Bollywood films and American Hollywood films have made it to Pakistani movie shelves and home videos for over thirty years. The Lollywood industry used to produce many Urdu films however as Lahore became the headquarters of the film industry, slowly the number of Urdu films decreased with the same rate of Punjabi language rising.

The film industry suffered badly during the rule of the military dictator Gen. Zia, who forced women to cover their heads even on government controlled Pakistan TV. The number of films produced per year also declined due to several other factors including the wide spread use of VCR and DVD players since even most patriotic Pakistanis like to watch Indian movies over their own. Today, Lollywood has totally collapsed and once busy film producing studios have been turned into more profitable business ventures. Most of cinema houses too have been turned into commercial business plazas.

Pakistan also has another film industry based in Peshawar, North West Frontier Province that produced Pashto language films. As demand for films has increased, Karachi has its own version of film festivals, which includes the Kara Film Festivals where many film producers, actors and film staff get together to celebrate achievements in the industry. Under the fear of Taliban and religious extremists, the film industry in Peshawar has come to a standstill today. The Northwestern province of Pakistan has its own culture which is very restricted and even in good old days the buses will turn off entertainment programs upon entering into this province.

[edit] National Dress

Main article: Shalwar Qameez

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2009)

The national dress of Pakistan is Shalwar Qameez (Urdu: شلوار قمیض ) for both men and women. It consists of a long, loose fitting tunic with very baggy trousers. The dress is believed to be an amalgamation of the dresses worn by the ancient Turks, Persians and Afghans (Pashtuns) who have left their impression on the people and culture of Pakistan.

The men's version consists of solid, masculine colours and is almost always accompanied by collar and buttons (similar to polo shirt). Men often wear an outer waistcoat over the shalwar kameez. The women's version almost never contains collar and buttons but is often embroidered and consists of feminine colors and may feature lace or flower patterns.

In the summer, a light, cotton version is often worn, while during the winter, a heavier, wool version is worn.

The sherwani or achkan with karakuli hat is the recommended dress for male government employees and officials, as it is not specifically associated with any of the provinces. Most male government officials wear the formal black sherwani on state occasions.

[edit] Globalization

Pakistan ranks 56th in the world on the Kearney/FP Globalization index.^[6] Their position on this index fell 10 spots from 2004 to 2006. Many multinational restaurant chains have established their franchises in major cities and towns in Pakistan.

A large Pakistani diaspora exists in the West and the Middle East. Whereas Pakistanis in the United States, Canada and Australia tend to be professionals, the majority of them in the United Kingdom, Germany and Scandinavia originally came from a rural background belonging to the working class. These emigrants and their children influence Pakistan culturally and economically, keeping close ties with their roots by travelling to Pakistan and especially by returning or investing there.

[edit] Mercantile culture

See also: Economy of Pakistan and Economy of Karachi

Pakistan's service sector accounts for 53% of the country's GDP. Wholesale and retail trade is 30% of this sector. Shopping is a popular pastime for many Pakistanis, especially among the well-to-do and the thirty-million strong middle class. The cities of Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Islamabad, Faisalabad and Quetta are especially known for the great contrast in shopping experiences - from burgeoning bazaars to modern multi-story shopping malls. In particular, Lahore and Karachi are peppered with colourful shopping plazas.

Over 1,081 patent applications were filed by non-resident Pakistanis in 2004, revealing a new found confidence.^[7]

[edit] Social Culture

See also: Etiquette in Pakistan

This section's factual accuracy is disputed. Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page. (March 2008)

National Symbols of Pakistan[8]
Flag	Flag of Pakistan
Emblem	Faith, Unity, Discipline
Anthem	Qaumi Tarana
Animal	Markhor
Bird	Chukar
Flower	Jasmine
Tree	Cedrus deodara
Juice	Sugarcane juice
Sport	Field hockey
Dress	Shalwar Kameez

The direct translation of Pakistan's name means Land of (the) Pure, implying spiritual purity.^{[citation needed]} The roots of this spirituality would be based on the Islamic faith, which prescribes strict sexual conservatism.^{[citation needed]} Therefore, the following norms of a liberal society are usually strict cultural taboos in Pakistan:

• Public displays of affection, even by married couples. This however varies from place to place and amongst various ethnic groups.
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages by Muslims is officially illegal in Pakistan. Only non-Muslim Pakistanis and non-Muslim foreigners are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages (receiving government issued license). However, State and Christian/Parsi owned breweries operate in Pakistan, such as the Murree Brewery and Quetta Brewery, which produce all sorts of alcoholic beverages and earn considerable revenue for the government. Despite all the restrictions, there are reports that underground alcoholic activities exist and have thrived ever since the law banning Alcohol consumption was passed in the late 70's.

[edit] Cultural traditions

Pakistanis have a distinct culture, traditions and customs. Shalwar kamiz is the dress commonly worn, both by men and women in Pakistan. Pakistani food is rich in meat (including beef), whereas wheat is the main staple. Pashto, Punjabi, Balochi, Sindhi, Kashmiri, etc. music and dances are distinctly unique with their own melodies, instruments, patterns and styles. Pakistani arts in metal work, tiles, furniture, rugs, designs/paintings, literature, calligraphy, etc. are distinct and diverse. Pakistani architecture is unique with its Islamic styles. The manners and lifestyles are guided by a blend of Islam and local traditions. In comparison both Pakistanis and the Indians definitely have distinct cultures of their own. Some Indian women wear Shalwar kameez, but that was introduced by the ancestors of Pakistanis in which itself was introduced by the which then was introduced by the Turkish. Many Pakistani food dishes are absent in Indian cuisine and vice versa, and if some dishes are shared, they were also introduced by the ancestors of Pakistanis (like naan, tikka, kebab, biryani/pulao, etc.). There is barely any Hindu architectural influence in Pakistan (Gandhara is Graeco-Buddhist and Harappan is distinct), but significant influences by the ancestors of Pakistanis can be found in Jammu and Kashmir and North India. The lives of most Pakistanis are shaped by Islam, whereas the lives of most Indians are shaped by Hanadic-Hinduism.

[edit] Race/genetics

About 70% of Pakistanis are Caucasoid by race, 20% Australoid-Negroid, and 10% Mongoloid in the overall genetic composition. Majority of Pakistanis are tall with fair skin complexion, similar to Middle Eastern and Mediterranean peoples. While the racial features of each ethnic group are not uniform, Pathans are the most Caucasoid, followed by Kashmiris, Baluchis, north Punjabis, and then Sindhis, Seraikis, Urdu-speakers, etc. The Australoid-Negroid people live Makran in the south who came from East Africa and the Mongoloid people who came from Central Asia where the racial elements are quite infused within the dominant Caucasoid genes among Pakistanis, however there are some that have retained their distinct racial characteristics. Compared to India, both the countries have distinct racial identities. A common international perception based on observance of physical features is that most Pakistanis are lighter skinned than most Indians. Most Pakistanis resemble the looks of peoples inhabiting on its western borders and beyond. Indeed, many Pakistanis also resemble many Northwest Indians or higher caste Indians, but those are a minority in India. Similarly, a few people of Pakistan resemble peoples of South India, lower caste Indians, Northeast India, etc. but they are a minority in Pakistan. As an example, if a few Saudis look similar to the French that does not make them one people, same applies here between them the Indians and the Pakistanis.

[edit] Holidays

Main article: Public holidays in Pakistan

There are many festivals celebrated annually in Pakistan - which may or may not be observed as national public holidays - e.g. Pakistan Day (23 March), Independence Day (14 August), Defence of Pakistan Day (6 September), Pakistan Air Force Day (7 September), the anniversaries of the birth (25 December, a national holiday) and death (11 September) of Quaid-e-Azam, birth of Allama Iqbal (9 November) and the birth (30 July) and death (8 July) of Madar-e-Millat. Labour Day, (also known as May Day), is also observed in Pakistan on 1 May and is a public holiday. Several important religious festivals are celebrated by Pakistani Muslims during the year; the celeberation days depend on the lunar Islamic calendar. Ramadan, the ninth month of the calendar, is characterised by daytime fasting for 29 or 30 days and is followed by the festival of Eid ul-Fitr. In a second festival, Eid ul-Adha, an animal is sacrificed in remembrance of the actions of Prophet Abraham (Arabic: Ibrahim) and the meat is shared with friends, family, and the less fortunate. Both Eid festivals are public holidays, serving as opportunities for people to visit family and friends, and for children to receive new clothes, presents, and sweets. Muslims also celebrate Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi - the birthday of the prophet Muhammad - in the third month of the calendar (Rabi' al-Awwal) and mark the Day of Ashurah on the 9th and 10th days of the first month (Muharram) to commemorate the martyrdom of Husayn bin Ali. Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Christians in Pakistan also celebrate their own festivals and holidays. Sikhs come from across the world to visit several holy sites in Punjab, including the shrine of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, at Hasan Abdal in Attock District, and his birthplace, at Nankana Sahib. There are also several regional and local festivals, such as the Punjabi festival of Basant, which marks the start of spring and is celebrated by kite flying.