Sachal Sarmast (the 'Truthful Mystic') was an 18th-century Sufi poet from Sindh. He is celebrated for his message of universal love and for writing poetry in Sindhi, Seraiki, Persian, Urdu, Arabic, Balochi, and Punjabi. His shrine is in Khairpur, and his Urs is a major event for those who follow the mystical path of 'Wahdat-ul-Wajud'.
Madrassas are traditional religious schools that focus on Islamic theology, Arabic language, and Quranic studies. They provide free education and lodging to millions of students across Pakistan. The government is currently working on a reform process to integrate modern subjects like science and IT into the Madrassa curriculum.
593
According to the results of the 2023 Digital Census, approximately what percentage of Pakistan's population is Muslim?
The 7th Population and Housing Census (2023 Digital Census) indicates that Muslims constitute approximately 96.35% of the total population of Pakistan. This majority includes various sects, primarily Sunnis and Shias. The remaining percentage consists of Hindus, Christians, Ahmadis, Sikhs, and other religious minorities, maintaining a demographic trend that has remained relatively stable over the last few decades.
594
Which language is traditionally called the 'Lashkari' language because it developed in the military camps of the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire?
The word 'Urdu' itself comes from the Turkish word for 'Army' or 'Camp'. The language developed as a mix of local Prakrits with Persian, Arabic, and Turkish influences among the soldiers of the ruling dynasties, eventually becoming the literary and national language of Pakistan.
595
The 'Ae-shami' or 'Insa-e-Nabuwat' controversy in education related to which language policy?
In 2021-2022, there were significant debates in the parliament and provincial assemblies regarding making Arabic a mandatory subject in schools to facilitate the understanding of the Quran, a move supported by religious parties but debated for its pedagogical impact.
596
Which script is primarily used to write the Punjabi language in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, Punjabi is written using the Shahmukhi script, which is a modified version of the Persian-Arabic (Nasta'liq) script. This is distinct from the Gurmukhi script used for Punjabi in India.
597
Which script is used for writing the Sindhi language in Pakistan?
The Sindhi language in Pakistan is written in a modified version of the Arabic script using the Naskh style. It consists of 52 letters, including several unique characters to represent specific phonemes not present in Arabic or Urdu.
598
According to the 2023 Digital Census, which language is the second most spoken first language in Pakistan?
Pashto has emerged as the second most spoken first language in Pakistan, surpassing Sindhi in recent years. This change is attributed to higher population growth rates in Pashtun-majority areas and significant migration to cities across the country.
599
The 2023 Census showed that the population of Lahore has reached:
Lahore's population was recorded at 13 million in the 2023 census, showing massive growth from 11.1 million in 2017. Lahore has expanded horizontally, absorbing many nearby villages into its urban sprawl, making it one of the fastest-growing mega-cities in the world.
600
The 'Total Enumerated Population' of the 2023 Census excludes which of the following groups?
The national census counts the resident population (citizens and long-term residents). Foreign diplomats and short-term visitors/tourists are excluded from the count. However, long-term refugees who have been living in Pakistan for years are often included in the broader enumeration for service planning.
