Diving Into Pakistan's History

Emblem of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Courtesy of Wikipedia, 2009.  

I am on an extensive search to view more Pakistani contemporary art. Sounds easy, eh? For anyone familiar with the topic, this is quite a daunting task due to numerous factors. Pakistan, a 63-year-old country contains such a rich artisan culture that throughout the years, has been tarnished by poverty, political corruption, and terrorism. The country, which derives its name from the word "Pak" (pronounced 'paak' in Urdu) = "pure," strives to maintain a modest and simple lifestyle due to its Islamic history.

Since its independence from British rule and separation from India, Pakistan struggled to maintain an economy and political structure to survive the harsh situations. However, times were not as dire as they are now. Decades ago in the fairly young country, there were lush fields of grass and people thriving as landowners, farmers, and artisans. Today, those fields are now combating drought and a dusty climate where industrial factories provide most of the employment. It is common that most of the population in suburban and rural villages to commute towards factories for Coca-Cola and Pepsi as well as FIFA World Cup soccer balls. Approximately 80% of FIFA soccer balls are made in Sialkot, Pakistan.

Also, as a side note, a large percentage of the world's stainless steel cosmetic and surgical supplies are created in Pakistan. The area, which is commonly referred to as "Steel Town" or the "Pakistan Steel Mills" generate commerce throughout the country. Next time you hold a pair of scissors, take a look at the country of origin. Many times the product will state: "Stainless Steel - Pakistan" in tiny letters. 

I know this because I am from there and both of my parents were born in Pakistan. We come from cities such as Sialkot, Lahore (oddly enough--there's also a Lahore, Virginia!), Quetta, and Karachi. In fact, my mom was born on the exact same day that Pakistan received its independence on 14 August 1947. When I look in her eyes, I envision the ideals that the country should stand for--modesty, integrity, and a strong work ethic. When a country is constantly on the front page of a newspaper and in the top news headlines for notorious situations, I wonder what people really think and whether they understand the effect it has on the Pakistani-American population living here.