The People
The Pakistanis are a Caucasian people and most are descended from Aryan invaders who entered the region sometime between 2000 and 1500 B.C. Two of Pakistan's Aryan-descended groups are the Punjabis (about 65 per cent of the population) and the Sindhis (13 per cent). The Pashtuns (8.5 per cent) are an Afghan people. A fourth major group, the Baluchis (2.5 per cent), came from Iran between the 6th and 14th centuries.
The Pakistanis consider Urdu their national language, even though only a small percentage of the people speak it. In Sind Province, Sindhi is mainly spoken, and in the Punjab, Punjabi is spoken. Pushtu is used by the Pashtuns. All of these languages are Indo-European. Other regional tongues include one of Dravidian origin. English is widely used in commerce, government, and education.
Primary schooling begins at age five and lasts five years. Secondary schooling is divided into two stages—a three-year stage followed by a four-year stage. About half the school-age children attend primary school; and about a fifth, secondary school. It is estimated that one fifth of Pakistan's government schools are vacant. Many students instead attend madrassahs, schools that teach Islamic theology and provide students with food and housing. The literacy rate is about 35 per cent.
The oldest institution of higher learning is the University of Lahore (founded in 1882). Other major universities include the University of Sindh (1947) in Karachi, the University of Karachi (1951), and the University of Peshawar (1950).
About 95 per cent of Pakistan's people are Muslims, the vast majority belonging to the Sunnite branch. About 15 per cent of the Muslims belong to the Shiite branch. Within the Shiite branch is another minority, the Ismailis. Another group, the Ahmadiyas, regard themselves as Muslims but are not considered as such by most orthodox Muslims or by the Pakistani government. Hindus, Christians, and Parsis are other minorities.
The population of Pakistan is made up of many groups, each with its own traditions and way of life. In general, life centers in the village. Wealthy landowners largely dominate the government and economy.
The standard of living is low, particularly in rural areas. There has been a marked increase in urbanization as people attempt to escape poverty by moving to the cities. However, the cities cannot handle the influx of people, and poor sanitary conditions, food shortages, and inadequate housing exist here as well as in rural areas. Only the privileged few—mainly government officials, industrialists, landowners, and merchants—enjoy high living standards.
Culturally, Pakistan owes much to the time when the Moguls were in power and imposed their religion, Islam. Exquisitely detailed paintings and gracefully decorated buildings are examples of Mogul art at its highest point. Both contemporary and traditional literature also reflect the Mogul culture. Noted Pakistani poets include Qazi Nazr-ul-Islam and Mohammed Iqbal, who was the first to propose a separate Muslim state.
