Unity in diversity

Pakistan is rich in cultural diversity: the country is multilingual, multi-ethnic and multicultural. Pakistani society comprises various ethnic communities like Punjabis, Sindhis, Balochs, Pakhtuns, Muhajirs, Seraikis, Kashmiris, Makranis, Kalashis, Hazaras and multiple other subgroups. While Urdu is the national language of the country and forms one of the two official languages – the other being English – several other regional languages like Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Seraiki, Kashmiri, Brahui, Hindko and Potohohari are also spoken widely. Pakistan is linguistically heterogeneous but Urdu – the mother tongue of Mohajirs who migrated from India – is understood by all ethnic groups in Pakistan.

Pakistan has breathtaking beauty, hundreds of tourist spots and several attractions. The country can lure foreign tourists towards its cultural and archaeological sites found in Taxila, Mohenjo Daro, Harappa and Swat, its early Mughal and Muslim heritage found in Multan, Lahore, Thatta and Peshawar and its peaks like the mighty Karakorams in the north to the vast alluvial delta of River Indus in the south. Pakistani         folk          dances, festivals, feasts, greetings, spirituality, cuisine    and variety of customs offer a very diverse picture. We should celebrate these differences and cultures instead of letting them divide us.

Arsalan Ullah Khan   

Hyderabad