Cinema
In Pakistan there is an indigenous film industry known as Lollywood, based in Lahore, currently producing more than 40 films a year.
Music
Pakistani music is represented by a wide variety of aspects. From traditional styles, such as qawwali, to more modern styles that try to fuse traditional Pakistani music with western music. Pop music is also prevalent, with the original soundtracks of its films being especially important. In addition, there are the various traditions of folk music.
Sightseeing
The northern regions of Pakistan are home to several historical forts, towers and constructions such as the Hunza and the Chitral valleys, the latter being home to the Kalash, a small pre-Islamic animist community. Punjab is also the site of Alexander’s battle on the Jhelum River. The historic city of Lahore is considered the cultural center of Pakistan and has many examples of Mughal architecture, such as the Badshahi Mosque, Shalimar Gardens, Tomb of Jahangir, and Lahore Fort. Tourism is a growing industry in Pakistan because of its diverse cultures, peoples, and landscapes.
The variety of attractions ranges from the ruins of ancient civilizations such as Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa and Taxila, to the Himalayan hill stations, which attract those interested in the countryside and winter sports. Pakistan also has several mountain peaks high over 7000 meters, which attract adventurers and mountaineers from all over the world, especially to K2. From April to September, national and international tourists visit these areas as tourism helps to become a source of income for the local population. Most of the tourists come from other Asian countries. In Baluchistan there are many caves for cavers and tourists visiting it, Juniper shaft cave, Murghagull Gharra cave, AEA Mughall cave and naturally decorated cave. International Union of Speleology (UIS).
Gastronomy
Pakistani cuisine is very similar to that of India, with certain Muslim variations. It is influenced by Arab, Turkish and Persian traditions, called Mongolian cuisine, and is found mostly in Lahore. The dishes are less spicy than in India, but they use subtle mixtures of saffron, cardamom, sesame, and cloves, as well as lots of yogurt to neutralize the spiciness of the spices. In most menus, you will find a wide range of meats and poultry accompanied by spicy sauces (masala), cooked in ragú (bhuna ghost), baked (tandoori), marinated in yogurt (korma) or in the form of skewers ( kebab). Biryani is a rice steamed, richly seasoned and served in a sauce of chicken, lamb or fish meat. The pilao is the same recipe, but less specialized, and the sag ghost is a lamb curry with spinach.
Most dishes are served with lentils (dal), raita (yogurt sauce spiced with salt, pepper and coriander) and wheat cakes (chapati, paratha or naan). Among the desserts, the halvas, sweets with nuts or caramel filled with almonds and pistachios, or the shahi tukra, a cream flavored with pistachios and almonds. The meal is accompanied by lassi, frozen liquid yogurt or black tea (shai) with milk, sugar and cardamom.
Sports
According to Payhelpcenter.com, the national sport in Pakistan is field hockey, although cricket is the most popular throughout the country. The national cricket team won the Cricket World Cup in 1992). He was runner-up once (in 1999), and co-host of the games twice (in 1987and 1996). Pakistan was runner-up at the opening of the 2007 ICC World Twenty tournament held in South Africa, and they are the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 champions held in England. Squash is another sport that Pakistanis have excelled at, with world-class squash players such as Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan winning the World Open several times during their careers. Internationally, Pakistan has competed several times in the Summer Olympics in field hockey, boxing, track and field, swimming and shooting. Hockey is Pakistan’s most successful sport at the Olympics, with three gold medals in (1960, 1968 and 1984). Pakistan has also won the Hockey World Cup four times (1971, 1978, 1982, 1994). The Pakistan Motorsport Association is a member of the International Automobile Federation. Pakistan is a member country of the TUI (International Union of Speleology). Every year the Freedom Rally is an off-road race that takes place during the Independence celebrations. Pakistan also qualified for the Golf World Cup for the first time in 2009.
Culture
As a Muslim nation, it is heavily influenced by Islamic culture and traditions, yet Hindu and British cultural influences are widespread in the country.
In Karachi there are some of the most important libraries in the country, such as the Liaqat Memorial Library, the Central Secretariat Library and the University of Karachi Library. The National Archives of Pakistan, in Islamabad, and the PunjabPublic Library, in Lahore. The National Museum of Pakistan in Karachi contains important objects from the Indus Valley civilizations, as well as Buddhist and Islamic relics. Collections of significant cultural value are exhibited in the Lahore Museum and the Peshawār Museum. In Lahore there is a museum of industry and commerce.
Religion
The majority religion is Muslim, although there are Hindu and Christian minorities. Although most of the Muslims belong to the Sunni rite, there are other minority groups among which the Shiites stand out.
Holidays
Official holidays are:
- August 14, Independence Day.
- Islamic festivals that vary depending on the lunar calendar.
