Editor's note: The 20th anniversary edition of the Peking University International Culture Festival (ICF) was held on Oct. 21 with the theme "Meeting the World at PKU." Jawad Shabbir, a Pakistani Ph.D. scholar at the School of Earth and Space Science at Peking University, was at the Pakistani booth to report for PKU News. In this article, he presents us with a fresh and authentic introduction of Pakistani culture.

Peking University, October 21, 2023: The Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished more than 5,000 years ago, is when Pakistan's cultural legacy began. Pakistan's diversity has been influenced by the country's long history of migration and conquering the land it currently occupies. As a result, standards and beliefs differ greatly throughout the nation, and the many states and areas may be easily identified from one another.

Pakistan places a high priority on family because of social, cultural, religious, and economic norms. In Pakistani society, connections with family and other social groups are valued, and collectivism is the dominant ideology, rather than individualism.


The most popular traditional outfit in Pakistan is the shalwar-kamiz combo, which consists of a long, knee-length shirt (kamiz) worn over loose-fitting pants (shalwar). Men wear a sherwani, a knee-length coat, as a more formal overgarment; women usually wear a dupatta, a light shawl.

Pakistani cuisine is known for its range of vegetables, including potatoes, eggplant, and okra, as well as biryani, chapli kabab, balochi, sajji, and curry dishes. Every area has a favorite blend of spices. The favorite meats are lamb, mutton, and chicken. The two most popular breads are naan and chapati. Pakistanis enjoy drinking lassi, a yogurt-based beverage, and hot tea, or chai.


The two main Islamic events, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, are observed by the Muslim world based on a lunar calendar. December 25 is recognized as Mohammed Ali Jinnah's birthday. Pakistan Day occurs on March 23, and Independence Day is on August 14.

Pakistan and the rest of South Asia are home to the rich Mughal legacy of literature, art, architecture, and manners. Notable locations in Pakistan include the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the ancient city of Taxila, the ruins of Mohenjo-daro, and the Rohtas Fort.

Popular folk dances from the past are the khatak and bhangra steps. Poetry is a popular, not an obscure, art form, and poetry recitations in public, known as mushairahs, are structured similarly to musical concerts. Poet of Persian and Urdu, Allama Muhammad Iqbal was a driving force behind the creation of Pakistan. Poets in Pashto, Urdu, and Sindhi are revered both locally and nationally.


The most popular sport is cricket, and Pakistan has produced some of the top players in the world, including Imran Khan, a former prime minister of Pakistan. The Pakistani national team has several wins across all competitions and won the World Cup in 1992.

Both local and foreign guests, tourists, and visitors are always made to feel very welcome. Even the most impoverished laborers make an extra effort to assist newcomers. Pakistanis are incentivized by their cultural and religious values to treat guests with love and respect. Particularly in Islam, a guest is considered a gift from God and is expected to be treated with the utmost kindness.


Presenting Pakistani culture at the International Culture Festival was an unforgettable experience. Students from Pakistan have set up a food point and a booth to showcase local products, where they also presented live performances of Pakistani music.

The author at the ICF event

Reported and written by: Jawad Shabbir
Photos by: Jawad Shabbir
Edited by: Dennis Meng