The culture of Pakistan is based on the Muslim heritage, but also includes the pre-Islamic traditions of the peoples of the Indian subcontinent.

Pakistan is home to of one of the oldest civilizations in the world – the Indus Valley civilization. Evidence exists to support the theory that the Indus Valley cities existed at the same time at those of the ancient Egyptians. Many of the sites in the country are amazing indications of the progressive communities that inhabited this region.The region has formed a distinct unit within the main geographical complex of Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Central Asia from the earliest times.

Culture of Pakistan comprises numerous ethnic groups: the Punjabis, Saraikis, Pothwaris, Kashmiris, Sindhis, Muhajirs, Makrani in the south; Baloch, Hazaras and Pashtuns in the west; and the Dards, Wakhi, Baltis, Shinaki and Burusho communities in the north. The culture of these Pakistani ethnic groups have been greatly influenced by many of its neighbours, such as the other South Asian, Iranic, Turkic as well as the peoples of Central Asia and West Asia.

There are differences among the ethnic groups in cultural aspects such as dress, food, and religion, especially where pre-Islamic customs differ from Islamic practices. Their cultural origins also reveal influences from far afield and indigenous, including ancient India and Central Asia.

Pakistan was the first region of the Indian subcontinent to be fully impacted by Islam and has thus developed a distinct Islamic identity, historically different from areas further east.

Pakistani festivals, including Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Ramazan, Christmas, Easter, Holi, and Diwali, are mostly religious in origin.

А hundred years of British domination also had a great influence on the culture of Pakistan.

On the territory of Pakistan there are 6 sites listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List:
• Mohenjo-daro;
• Taxila;
• Takht-i-Bahi;
• Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens;
• Thatta;
• Rohtas Fort.

The spreading of the Islam religion, starting in the A.D. 700s, forms the basis of Pakistani cuisine. Because Muslims (those who practice the Islam religion) are forbidden to eat pork or consume alcohol, they concentrated on other areas of food such as beef, chicken, fish, and vegetables. The Moghul Empire (from India) began its ruling in present-day Pakistan around 1526. Its style of cooking, called Mughal , typically includes such ingredients as herbs and spices, almonds, and raisins. Mughal cooking remains an important part of Pakistani cuisine. Pakistan was part of India until 1947. Although Pakistani cuisine has obvious Indian roots (found in its heavy use of spices, for example), its foods reflect Irani, Afghani, Persian, and Western influences to give it its own distinct character. These cultures brought different uses of herbs, flavorings, and sauces to Pakistan, transferring ordinary staple foods into unique dishes.

The national dress is Shalwar Kameez which is worn in all parts of Pakistan. Women wear brightly colored Shalwar Kameez, while men often wear solid-colored ones.

Urdu is Pakistan's official language, although only 10 percent of Pakistanis speak it. Sixty percent of the population speak Punjabi. Other languages include Sindhi (13 percent); Pushto or Pashtu, spoken by the Pathans (8 percent); and Kashmiri, 2 percent. With this diversity, and because of the role of language in cultural identity, Urdu has been adopted as Pakistan's national language.

Read more about the culture and art of Pakistan