10th Class Pak Studies Chapter 7 Notes

Definition

Census: the official process by which government periodically collects data on population — total size, distribution, growth rate, density, and rural-urban composition.

2023 Digital Census: about 93.8 million people (38.88%) live in urban areas, and about 147.7 million (61.12%) in rural areas — most Pakistanis still live rurally.

Pakistan's annual population growth rate is about 2.55%. Punjab's population density is about 622 persons per square kilometre. Punjabi speakers make up about 37% of the population; other major regional languages include Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi and Saraiki.

Definition

Society: an organised group living in a defined area, sharing common interests, culture, customs and mutual relationships, interacting and depending on each other for collective welfare.

Social stratification: division of society into layers/classes based on wealth, family background, education, income and power — an unequal distribution of resources.

Social dynamics: the study of changing social relationships and transformation over time, including group behaviour and individuals' relation to society.

National unity: harmony among individuals/groups of different backgrounds who cooperate despite differences and act as one nation.

Gender discrimination: unequal distinction between men and women in rights, opportunities, respect and status based on sex, blocking equal growth for both.

Feudal (Jagirdari) system: a socio-economic system where a small number of powerful landlords own large tracts of land; in Pakistan it traces back to the British era, when large estates were granted to loyal local chiefs.

Definition

Culture: the shared beliefs, values, lifestyle, dress, customs, traditions and language of a group. Pakistani culture reflects Islamic teachings within Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun, Balochi, Kashmiri, Balti, Brahui and Saraiki societies, enriched further by minority customs (Hindu, Christian, Parsi, Sikh).

Four major Sufi orders (Silsilas) in the Subcontinent: Chishtia, Suhrawardiyya, Qadiriyya and Naqshbandiyya. Annual Urs/fairs are held for saints such as Data Ganj Bakhsh, Baba Farid and Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.

Minority religious festivals: Holi and Diwali (Hindus), Christmas and Easter (Christians), alongside Baisakhi.

Quaid-e-Azam's address to the first Constituent Assembly (11 August 1947, Karachi): "You are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques... You may belong to any religion or caste or creed — that has nothing to do with the business of the State."

Definition

Minorities, treated as equal citizens with full rights, have served Pakistan across fields: judiciary (A.R. Cornelius helped draft the 1973 Constitution; Justice Rana Bhagwan Das, Justice Dorab Patel, Justice Rustam Sidhwa); armed forces (Rear Admiral Leslie, Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry, Sqn Ldr Peter Christy, Sikh officer Harcharan Singh); politics (Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, and Dr. Ramesh Kumar as first elected MPA after independence); science (Dr. Abdus Salam, Nobel Prize); sports (Anthony D'Souza, Yousuf Youhana, Danish Kaneria); and philanthropy (Sir Ganga Ram's welfare institutions in Lahore).

Definition

Despite differences in dress, customs and lifestyle across provinces, a common religion and shared values act as a unifying force. Regional cultures carry Islamic values of hospitality, justice, brotherhood and equality across Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun, Baloch, Kashmiri, Gilgiti and Balti communities. Sufi poets such as Sultan Bahu, Bulleh Shah, Waris Shah, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Khushal Khan Khattak and Rehman Baba spread shared messages of humanity, peace and love. Local media (radio, TV, press) and a shared education system further promote unity and mutual understanding.

Definition

Pakistan's literacy rate is about 60.6% (2024-25). Government steps: free education grade 1–10, free textbooks/scholarships, and curriculum reform on scientific/technical lines.

Structure: Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) + primary/elementary (up to grade 5/8); secondary/higher secondary (grades 9–12, Arts/Science/Commerce/vocational); and university-level education (public/private universities, affiliated colleges, professional institutions up to PhD).

Problems: an exam system that doesn't effectively assess real ability; limited resources (furniture, labs, libraries, clean water); teacher shortages; lack of quality teaching material; and insufficient co-curricular activities (activities like sports, debates, speeches and study tours that build moral training and rounded personality, alongside the regular syllabus).

Suggestions: increase education budget; upgrade primary schools as needed; add science/technology/technical subjects; train teachers in modern methods; ensure clean water and play areas in all government schools.

Definition

Sports keep the body fit, reduce illness risk and mental stress, improve behaviour, build teamwork/discipline/leadership, and boost self-confidence. Pakistan has won the Hockey World Cup four times; polo is specially featured at the annual Shandur festival.

Tourism: spending time away from home for recreation. Importance: generates foreign exchange (accommodation, transport, food, entertainment), strengthens the national economy, promotes cultural exchange, and creates local employment.

Natural/cultural attractions: Hunza Valley, Swat Valley, Deosai National Park, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, and historic sites like Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Taxila and Lahore.

Government steps: improving roads/connectivity to tourist sites, tourist facilitation/camping centres, online training for stakeholders, public-private partnership, easier visas, and security measures to build tourist confidence.