How Pakistan’s History Shapes Its Cultural Identity

Ali Jabir

Islamabad: The history of mankind is rich with countless occurrences—wars, conquests, the rise and fall of dynasties, renaissances, revolutions, and religious or social extremism. Each era brought its own dynamics, customs, traditions, and religious practices.

People from these eras adhered to various norms, laws, and religious practices, often dictated by tribal rulers, kings, or sultans.

After long periods dominated by tradition-based empires like the Romans, Greeks, Babylonians, Umayyads, and Abbasids, new codes emerged that transformed these ancient systems into pluralist societies. The Ottoman Empire stands out as one of the last great empires characterized by a religious foundation yet accommodating diverse communities, castes, and creeds.

With its dismantling in the early 20th century, nationalism surged, prompting people of various religions, castes, and races to unite within a single state. Nationalism became the binding force that transcended caste, creed, and religion.

Pakistan, too, is a unique country, having fought a decade-long struggle for independence based on religious aspirations and evolving into a nation enriched with diverse cultures and heritage while maintaining a touch of pluralism. Here, people of different castes, creeds, customs, and languages coexist, with Pakistani identity serving as the primary unifying factor.

“Every nation dreams of strength and prosperity, which requires the rule of law, social justice, and a peaceful society,” remarked MNA Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani. “Countries with discriminatory policies ultimately lose their identity because ‘United They Stand and Divided They Fall.'”

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah realized the vision of Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal for an independent homeland where Muslims from the subcontinent could live harmoniously, regardless of their caste or creed. “For us, Pakistan is our cornerstone. Regardless of our religion, caste, or creed, our primary identity and top priority is Pakistan,” Vankwani emphasized.

From a religious or historical perspective, followers of various religions find that their primary identity, when traveling abroad, is being Pakistani. This overarching identity transcends religion, caste, or creed.

Zain Mustafa, CEO of the Indus River Valley Institute (IRVI), noted, “The land we call Pakistan, with its ancient peoples and the River Indus, has always been a space of inclusivity, diversity, and tolerance. This is what makes Pakistan unique—its cultural heritage is rich and diverse, and its traditions are a unique asset to be celebrated.”

“From Nagarparkar to Kalash, Pakistan boasts 9,000 years of history where Muslims have coexisted with Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Christians, and followers of other religions,” Zain added. He highlighted that as a gateway to the East, Pakistan has absorbed knowledge from the ancient Silk Road and beyond. “We share cultural roots with Sumeria and Egypt, and there is much to celebrate.”

Dr. Nadeem Omar Tarar, CEO of the Centre for Culture and Development (C2D), also views Pakistan as a unique state in terms of geography, culture, and ethnic diversity. “Pakistan was not carved out from an ethnic or linguistic group but rather emerged from a geological space, providing a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent,” he said.

He pointed out that the ethnic and cultural variations are a beauty of our country, integrating people from different backgrounds. “Despite our diverse cultures, Pakistanis have adopted Urdu as a shared language, alongside regional languages spoken across the country.”

Dr Tarar also noted the significance of archaeological sites, which predate Pakistan’s formation in 1947, such as Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Mehrgarh, and Taxila. “These sites reflect ancient civilizations that continue to influence our contemporary life. Utensils from the Taxila Museum, used 3,000 years ago, are still in use today in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said. “These archaeological sites offer an opportunity to promote tourism and highlight our prehistoric heritage.”

Pakistan has much to offer in terms of cultural diversity and a peaceful image. Promoting our rich heritage can help dispel extremist stereotypes and counter negative propaganda, showcasing our nation as a peace-loving society.

The news feature was released by APP on August 11, 2024.