Pakistan has every reason to be proud of the thousands of years old and
rich tradition of its arts and crafts. In the post-independence period,
the successive governments have been providing substantial state help and
initiative for the uplift of arts and crafts in the country. A wider
recognition of the accomplishments of crafts-people has been facilitated
by the activities of the National Crafts Council and promotional plans of
organizations such as the Export Promotion Bureau and Small Industries
Corporations. Pakistani craftsmen are well reputed in producing quality
products in clay, stone, fabrics, carpets, wood, metal, jewelry and
leather.
Culture
Pakistan has been the cradle of a civilization that dates back more than
five millennium. Over the centuries, through successive waves of
migrations from the north-west, as well as by internal migrations across
the subcontinent, Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Arabs, and Mughals came and
settled in this region. However, it was Islam and Islamic traditions that
finally took roots and formed the mainspring of Pakistan's cultural
heritage.
Muslims from the earliest days, built cities, forts, palaces, mosques,
madrassas (religious schools), tombs and mausoleums which are marked by
simplicity and grandeur, with open spaces and abundance of light in
accordance with the Islamic concept of man's direct and open relationship
with the Creator. Pakistan inherits immense treasure of culture, and the
government is trying its best to preserve and promote this cultural
treasure. There are several government agencies such as Pakistan National
Council of Arts, Lok Virsa (Folk Heritage), National Film Development
Corporation, Authority for Preservation of Moenjodaro and National
Archives of Pakistan, each to perform a given set of functions in this
area.
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