Globalization and its Impact on Pakistan
Globalization has had a serious impact on Pakistan’s economy, politics, society, law
and religion. Like many other developing countries, Pakistan is experiencing both
positive and negative effects of globalization.
Every Society has its own culture and way of life. It is established by a group of people
who live together and adhere to some principles in their society. Pakistan has a rich and
unique culture that has preserved established traditions throughout history. Many
cultural practices, food, monuments and shrines were inherited from the rule of Muslim
Mughal and Afghan Emperors.
The national dress of Pakistan is Shalwar Qameez, but cultural Globalization is having
an impact on the dress of Men and Women. Wearing T-shirts, sunglasses, long shoes
and jackets is not a part of Pakistan’s culture. People are becoming more conscious
about their dressing styles and Fashion.
Pakistan has its own deep-rooted desi cuisine but as a result of globalization, fast food
culture is widespread in Pakistan. International Food Chains such as KFC, McDonald’s,
Pizza Hut, Hardees etc. can be easily located on the corners of streets, Airports, Malls,
Shopping Centers, schools and Gas stations. In Pakistan, the first fast food chain was
opened in 1997, that was KFC and just after a year, McDonald’s opened in 1998. There
is no looking back since then. Pakistani people love to eat inter-continental and Chinese
cuisines. Pakistani cuisine is also being recognized due to the globalized world.
The variety of Pakistani Music ranges from diverse provincial folk music and traditional
styles such as Qawwali and Ghazal Gayaki to modern forms fusing traditional and
Western music, such as synchronization of Qawwali and Western music by the world-
renowned Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Various American, European, and Asian Television
channels and films are available alongside state-owned PTV and other privately owned
channels. People have a wide variety to choose, from what they like to listen to and
watch. They have access to the latest movie and music releases, making it more
competitive for Pakistan’s Movie and Music industry.
Economic globalization has provided opportunities for developing countries, it expands
the size of their markets for export and attracts foreign capital, which aids development.
Foreign investment is conducive to a transfer of technologies and know-how, which
increases productivity.
Another positive effect of globalization is greater competition among firms, which
benefits consumers who have access to products at increasingly lower prices. Those
who gain most from free trade in both developed and developing countries are very
often the poorest since they can buy goods at more affordable prices, and therefore
have a higher standard of living.
In this way, free trade can be seen as an indirect way to reduce poverty. Pakistan
liberalised its economy as a part of the adjustment, but Pakistan’s trade expansion has
not been as spectacular as some of the fast globalizers. Pakistan’s exports,
merchandise exports, have not kept pace with that of the rest of the world. Pakistan is
facing challenges due to the rise in competitive conditions, so the industry has to be
improved to compete with foreign competitors.
The trade sector is lead to growth because trade barriers are reduced by globalization.
The manufacturing industry is growing now exports are more in the manufacturing
industry. The communication technology revolution also brought life to the economy of
Pakistan. Now this sector is growing fast and taking part in economic development.
For the winner of the process, Globalization becomes an integrating phenomenon, one
that brings together markets, ideas, individuals, goods and services and
communication. For the losers, it can be a marginalizing phenomenon. Just as the
winners come closer to each other they become more distant from the losers.
Pakistan is right now an example of a hybrid society as a result of globalization, trying to
find its balance between Islamisation and modernism. Globalization has tremendously
changed the dressing, cuisine, cultural values, purchasing power and socioeconomic
system of Pakistan.
Source: (https://www.nation.com.pk/10-Jun-2019/Globalization-and-its-impact-on-
pakistan#:~:text=Pakistan%20is%20right%20now%20an,socio%2Deconomic
%20system%20of%20Pakistan)
