Pakistan

Pakistan

●3 Country Background

History

The name “Pakistan” was first used in 1933, and the Pakistani nation was established as a separate Muslim state in 1947 during the British partition of India. However, the land that makes up the country has a history and cultural heritage more than 4,000 years old.

The Aryan tribes who invaded the Indian subcontinent over several centuries built up a sophisticated civilization long before the flourishing of the Greek and Roman Empires. Kingdoms rose and fell, frequently toppled by outsiders. In a.d. 712, the Pakistani province of Sind was the first to be occupied by Muslim invaders. More Muslim invaders came, and the entire subcontinent fell to the Mogul Empire in 1526. In what would become India, the Hindu citizenry often failed to adopt the Islamic faith of their Mogul rulers. However, in Pakistan, the majority of the people accepted Islam.

The Mogul supremacy fell before the technology of the European invaders who began arriving in 1498. Pakistan eventually became part of British-ruled India.

When the British promised independence to India after World War II, Muslim leaders became fearful that the more-numerous, better-educated Hindus would subordinate the Muslim population. Consequently, they insisted on a separate, independent Muslim state. Despite opposition from many Hindu leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, the predominantly Muslim provinces of Punjab and Bengal became Pakistan (a Dominion within the

Type of Government

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a parliamentary democracy in a federal setting. Pakistan has frequently been ruled by its military, which has been tolerated because Pakistanis feel an urgent need for the military’s protection. In Pakistan’s short existence as a nation, its military has been involved in battles with China, Bangladesh, and India. Conflict with India continues over the status of the disputed territories of Jammu and Kashmir, which are claimed by both countries.

The government consists of a bicameral legislature made up of a National Assembly, which is elected directly by the people, and a Senate, which is elected by four provincial assemblies. The executive branch consists of the president, who is head of state, and the prime minister, who is head of government. The prime minister is elected by the National Assembly from among its members.

Current government data can be found at the Embassy of Pakistan at www.embassyof pakistan.org.

Cultural Note

In May 1991, the National Assembly declared that the Koran—the holy book of Islam—was the supreme law of Pakistan. All aspects of Pakistani life are now subject to Islamic law. This move met with the approval of the masses of impoverished peasantry, who form the majority of Pakistan’s 159 million people. Some of the urban elite opposed the adoption of Islamic law, but it was implemented, and the changes were made to the legal code.

Pakistan

*

■

Know Before You Go

Business travel to Pakistan will probably not take you into any regions that are security challenges. However, never be cavalier about your safety. Take general precautions (for example, notify your country’s embassy upon arrival, make sure your firm arranges for private drivers that you can identify at the airport, etc.) and keep your headquarters apprised of your agenda.

Visitors who are there on holiday should be knowledgeable about the latest information on security and medical precautions. Military operations are constant along the Kashmir Line of Control, as well as in many of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Agencies (FATA).

If you are going mountaineering, be certain to be part of a reputable expedition. It should include guides who understand security measures and weaponry.

Pakistan suffers from earthquakes, pollution, and diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Purchase emergency medical evacuation insurance before your visit.

Drink bottled water.

Pakistan

●3 Cultural Orientation

Cognitive Styles: How Pakistanis Organize and Process Information

In Pakistan, although some ethnic groups are more closed than others, in general there is an acceptance of information from the West among urban dwellers. Because education is still primarily available to the elite, most people process information subjectively and associatively. Islamic law offers solutions to personal problems.

Cultural Note

The Urdu language uses the same word (kal) to describe both yesterday and tomorrow. Not surprisingly, Pakistanis do not share Western concepts of time and punctuality.

●3 Business Practices

Punctuality, Appointments, and Local Time

●Punctuality: Pakistanis are not time conscious, but they expect foreign visitors to be prompt.

Pakistan

Pakistan

would be addressed as “Hussein Begum.” These titles can also follow academic or job titles (Doctor Sahib or Director Sahib).

●Another complexity is that some Pakistani names make sense only in context, relating a first name to a second name. If the name is broken down into each part, it conveys a different meaning. For example, the name Ghulam Hussein means “slave of (the Islamic martyr) Hussein.” To call him simply Ghulam is to address him as slave.

●Do not use a Pakistani’s first name until you have been invited to do so.

Gestures

●Gesturing with a closed fist is considered obscene.

●Beckoning is done with the palm down rather than up, waving all the fingers toward the body.

●Using individual fingers to make gestures is considered impolite.

●Never point the bottom of your foot or shoe toward another person.

●Women should never wink.

Gifts

●You are not obliged to bring a gift when you are invited to a meal at a Pakistani’s home. If you choose to do so, however, chocolates or flowers are good choices.

●Alcohol is prohibited to Muslims. Do not give alcohol as a gift unless you know that a Pakistani drinks alcohol.

●Pens, Swiss knives, watches, and electronic gadgets make good business gifts.

●If you are invited to stay at a Pakistani home, hand each servant a small tip before you leave. (Most Pakistanis have servants.)

Dress

●When you meet with governmental officials, it is better to dress more formally. Suits and ties may be appropriate for private industry as well, but may not be as common.

●For women, a pantsuit is preferable to a knee-length dress. Women should keep their arms covered.

●Men wear a dark suit (no tuxedos) at formal events; women wear a long dress or skirt. In casual circumstances, men wear trousers and a shirt; something modest is the key

for women.

●Pants and a shirt or a traditional Pakistani garment, a salwar kameez (or shalwar qamiz), is appropriate for tourists. Both men and women wear the long, loose salwar kameez.

●Shorts are never appropriate for women. Men should wear them only when jogging. Jeans are acceptable for either sex.