Allama Muhammad Iqbal is the National Poet of Pakistan and is also known as 'Muffakir-e-Pakistan' (The Thinker of Pakistan) and 'Shair-e-Mashriq' (Poet of the East). He provided the ideological foundation for a separate Muslim state in the subcontinent through his Urdu and Persian poetry, awakening the Muslims to strive for self-determination and spiritual growth.
402
The legendary singer Abida Parveen is primarily associated with which genre of music, for which she is titled the 'Queen'?
Abida Parveen is the preeminent voice of Sufi music in Pakistan and the world. She sings in multiple languages, including Sindhi, Punjabi, and Urdu, focusing on the poetry of Sufi saints like Rumi, Bulleh Shah, and Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. Her powerful, deep voice and spiritual trance-like performances have made her a global icon of mystical music.
403
The 'Two-Nation Theory', which is the basis of Pakistani identity, was first formally articulated by which 19th-century reformer?
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan is credited with being the first to articulate the Two-Nation Theory. After witnessing the Hindi-Urdu controversy in 1867, he realized that Hindus and Muslims were two separate nations with different cultures, religions, and social customs. This theory eventually became the ideological foundation for the demand for a separate Muslim homeland, Pakistan.
404
What is the national motto of Pakistan in its original Urdu form?
The national motto 'Faith, Unity, and Discipline' is originally stated in Urdu as 'Iman, Ittehad, Nazm'. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah emphasized these values as the core strength of the nation. These words are meant to remind citizens that through faith in their cause, unity among themselves, and a disciplined life, they can overcome any obstacle.
405
Who is the national poet of Pakistan and the thinker behind the idea of a separate Muslim state?
Allama Muhammad Iqbal is the National Poet of Pakistan. He was a philosopher, scholar, and politician whose visionary ideas provided the intellectual foundation for the Pakistan Movement. In his famous 1930 Allahabad address, he proposed the creation of a separate state for the Muslims of the subcontinent. His poetry in Urdu and Persian remains a source of inspiration for the nation.
406
Which vegetable is officially recognized as the national vegetable of Pakistan?
Ladyfinger, commonly known as Bhindi in Urdu and Okra in English, is the national vegetable of Pakistan. It is a staple in Pakistani households and is widely cultivated across all provinces. Its selection as a national symbol represents the agricultural diversity and the common culinary traditions shared by the people of Pakistan.
407
Which language is declared as the national language of Pakistan by the 1973 Constitution?
Under Article 251 of the Constitution of Pakistan, Urdu is designated as the national language. While English is used as the official language for administrative, legal, and government purposes, the constitution mandates that arrangements be made for Urdu to be used for official and other purposes. Urdu serves as the 'lingua franca' of Pakistan, bridging the communication gap between the various ethnic and linguistic groups of the country.
408
What are the three words inscribed in Urdu on the scroll at the base of the State Emblem of Pakistan, serving as the national motto?
The national motto of Pakistan is 'Iman, Ittehad, Nazm', which translates to 'Faith, Unity, Discipline'. These words were given by the founder of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as the guiding principles for the state and its citizens. They are inscribed on the scroll below the shield of the State Emblem, which also features the crescent and star, a wreath of jasmine, and a shield representing agriculture.
409
What is the official duration of the full version of the National Anthem of Pakistan (Qaumi Tarana)?
The National Anthem of Pakistan, composed by Ahmed G. Chagla in 1949 with lyrics by Hafeez Jalandhari in 1952, has a standard playing time of 80 seconds. It consists of three stanzas and uses 21 musical instruments and 38 different tones. Interestingly, the lyrics are almost entirely in Persian, with the exception of the word 'ka' (of), which is in Urdu, reflecting the historical and linguistic ties of the region.
410
Which Pakistani province was the first to legalize the 'Right to Free and Compulsory Education' through a provincial assembly act?
The Sindh Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act was passed in 2013, making Sindh the first province to provide a legal framework for the implementation of Article 25-A of the Constitution.
