Figure 1.--One often seens a mixture of clothing in Pakistan today. This boys wears a traditional cap with Western overalls.

We have few details about Pakistani boys' clothing at this time. We do note boys in the rural areas, especially in the tribal areas along the Agghan border wearing caps like those worn in Afghanistan. I'm not sure what these caps are called. British fashion have been influential in Pakistn, especilly among the more affluent and in the larger cities. American fashion also has had an impact, especilly jeans. The resurgence of fundamentalism has had some impact on fashion. Even in remote areas, however, we often note a mixture of traditional and western styles. One tradition garment is the three piece salwar kameez. The kameez and vest are often beautifully embroidered. They are commonly made in various colors, including pale blue, khaki, chocolate and grey. Styles vary especially the length of the vest. Hopefully our Pakistani readers will provide us more detailed information on boys' wear in their country.

Historical Background

Pakistan is a modern creation, one of the two succesor states to follow the British Raj (1947). Pakistn was formed as a Muslim state. The history of the Indus Valley and Islam on the sub-continent goes much further back. The Indus Valley is one of the great centers of civilization (2500–1700 BC). The Indus Valley was isolated by the Himalyas, but there were sea contacts with great Middle Eastern civilizations. Alexander's army entered the Indus Valley and it was here the Army forced Alexander to stop his conquests. A Helenistic influebnce was added to the areas cultural heritage. A series of foreign invaders-—Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Mogols, Arabs, Turks, and others—controlled the region for over a millenia. Islam was introduced (711) and competed with the majority Hindu religion. A Mongol people estanlished the Mogul Empire and many became Muslims, especially in thr north eastand west (modern Pakistan and Bangledash. The Mogols ruled most of the subcontinent (16th-17th century). With the arrival of he French and British, Mogol power was already declining. The British became the dominant power and after the failed Sepoy Revolt seized control of the administration of the sub-continent (1857). This period became known as the British Raj. The British built a modern infrastructure and an educational system which provided the leaders of the independence movement. Gradually an independence movenment dominated by the Congress Party developed. Congress included all elements of Indian society, including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and others. Muslim elements in Congress were concerned about their minority status. This had several roots. Muslims had ruled India for centuries and were concerned about life in a majority Hindu state. Islam is a religion that evolved in socities where Muslims controlled political power. In addition. conversion to Islam had been most successful among lower-class Indians who faced descrimination in an India governed by caste-conscious Hindus. This dymamic led to the formation of the nationalist Muslim League by Mohammed Ali Jinnah (1906). The independence movement let by Ghandi put increased pressure on British authorities. The rising influence of the Labour Party in Britain pushed self rule and eventual independence. The Muslim League supported Britain in World War II. Conress under Nehru and Gandhi while refusing to rise against the British, refused to support the British war effort. After World War II, Britin decided to grant India independence. Congress wanted a united Indi--all of the former Raj. Jinnah and the Muslim League demanded a separate state. Eventually to avoid comunal rioting Cngress acquiesed in partition along religious lines (August 1947). Jinnah was appointed governor-general. The partition of Pakistan and India along religious lines resulted in the greatest mass-migration in human history, involving 17 million people and unfortunally the communal violence Congress had hoped to avoid. And a series of wars between India and Pakistn over Khasmir followed (1949, 1965, 1971, and 1999). Pakistan declared a republic with Maj. Gen. Iskander Mirza as the first president. This began an era of military rule, in part because of the on-going military confrointation with India. Military rule prevailed for the next two decades. Tensions between East and West Pakistan existed from the creation of Pakistan ad finally outset and finally Begali nationalists declared independence (1971). Limited representative government was restored (1988). Bhutto's daughter and long-time Zia opponent, Benazir Bhutto, became Pakistans prime minister, a novely in a Muslim state. Political instability followed, in pat because of the rising influence of Islamic fundamnentalists. Gen. Pervez Musharraf seized control and formed another military government (1999). Pakistan today is increasingly seen as a failed state with rising levels of violence and abject poverty. The poverty and failed economy of Pakistan stands in sharp contrast to the rapidly expanding economy of modern India which has embraced democracy, plurlism, free market, and the rle of law. Islamic fundamentalists in defiance of the obvious evidence claim that Pakistan's failure is the result of insufficent devotion to Islam and this appears to resonate with many young Pakistanis.

Chronology

Garments

We have few details about Pakistani boys' clothing at this time. We do note boys in the rural areas, especially in the tribal areas along the Agghan border wearing caps like those worn in Afghanistan. I'm not sure what these caps are called.

Influences

British fashion have been influential in Pakistn, especilly among the more affluent and in the larger cities. American fashion also has had an impact, especilly jeans. The resurgence of fundamentalism has had some impact on fashion. Even in remote areas, however, we often note a mixture of traditional and western styles. One tradition garment is the three piece salwar kameez. The kameez and vest are often beautifully embroidered. They are commonly made in various colors, including pale blue, khaki, chocolate and grey. Styles vary especially the length of the vest. Hopefully our Pakistani readers will provide us more detailed information on boys' wear in their country.

Activities

We have little information on boys activities in Pakistan. We have developed some limited information about Pakistani schools. One concern in the war on terror is the Islamic madrassas which education large numbers of Pakistani children.

Textile Industry

Pakistan has an imprtant textile and clothing industry. It is one of the largest employers in the country and a major export industry. Pakistani companies are agressive exporters and have contacted HBC concerning many of the clothing items we discuss on our website. Concerns have been expressed with the industry for both the use of child labor as well as various enviromental issues. Some industry representatives are concerned about the industry's future. The industry has failed to address Western concerns over child labor and environmental problems. The industry has also been slow to upgrade technology. Some individuals are also concerned about the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Scientists' Club organized a seminar (June 2004) during which Dr. Abdul Hayee Qureshi, a scientist at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council told participants that the expectations with which developing countries like Pakistan held for the WFO may be achieved after the final termination in 2005 of Multifibre Agreement (MFA). The Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) was scheduled to replace the MFA in four stages over a 10-year period. Dr Qureshi charges that the categories of items whose exports might have benefited the developing countries were left out almost completely. Qureshi is concerned that after MFA expires that developed countries might try to impose a myriad restrictions in the name of environment, labour standards, child labour, human rights, eco-labeling etc. He noted that Pakistan still lacked accreditation laboratories in this regard. Dr Qureshi expressed concern over the havoc played by indiscriminate application of pesticides, especially in cotton farming, which have already poisoned our environment to the point where many species of beneficial organisms and birds had been wiped out almost completely. [Iqbal] Industry sources object to pressure from developed countries to address such environmental issues and child labor, there appears to be little domestic commitment to addressing them.

Sources

Iqbal, Asig. "Textile exports future bleak", Textile News & Updates June 2004.

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Created: April 3, 2004
Last updated: 1:45 AM 9/1/2008