SOCIAL CHANGES IN PAKISTAN SINCE 1947

Social change:
Social change means the changes in social structure and social relationships which is a
continuous process bringing innovation and modernization with time and can take place at
both micro and macro level.

SOCIAL CHANGES IN PAKISTAN:

As Pakistan emerged on the map of the World, there were a lot of socio-economic and
political changes since then. As the independence of Pakistan itself was a social change
due to tension and conflict between Hindus and Muslims. We had this state to ensure the
practices of Islamic Social system. Islamic Republic of Pakistan underwent many changes in
its social structure since its independence, some are explained here.

Agricultural Sector:
In agriculture, food production has increased over 5-fold and fibre production has increased
over 9-fold. Hunger does not exist in the country, except perhaps in extremely isolated
cases. The markets in the cities, towns and villages are testimony to the abundance and
availability of food, including vegetables and fruits. Wheat production has increased 6-fold,
partly achieved by the more than doubling of the yield. As a result, wheat availability per
capita has gone up by more than 60 percent. In other words, a typical Pakistani today
consumes 60 per cent more wheat than in 1947. Cash crops have registered phenomenal
growth. Cotton yield and production has gone up 4-fold and 9-fold, respectively. Rice yield
has doubled and production has risen 7-fold. Sugar-cane yield has increased by over 50
percent and output has multiplied 8-fold. These crops are the backbone of the
manufacturing sector. This has happened because Pakistani farmers used outdated methods
in early years of independence mostly by use of hands in agriculture but since the
technology has taken over the World, so did in the agriculture sector. Nowadays farmers
use heavy machinery and tractors for planting crops and harvesting it. This was the social
change in agricultural sector since 1947.

Electricity:
There was no electricity in the country since 1947 to the 70’s but with time electricity
reached more than three-fourths of the country. Use of electricity symbolizes modernism
and change of previous culture and social events.

Literacy Rate:
Literacy rates were very low back in 1947 but gradually the literacy rates started to rise and
as the rate of schools and colleges rose, the number of literate and well-educated persons
rose. Universities played their role also. People had better idea that education can only
benefit them. Literate persons were 5 in 100 persons back in 1947 but nowadays 90% of
population is literate and well-educated.
Modern Technology:
Modern technology such as televisions, telephones, road vehicles and internet have become
very popular now. In early years, there were only radios and there were no road vehicles
except for cycles and horse-carts. Internet and computer had no existence.

TELEVISION CONNECTIONS
ROAD VEHICLES PER
PER 10,000 10,000
PERSONS
PERSONS
40350
ROAD VEHICLES Gender
35300
34
Inequality:
286
30250 Gender inequality
25200 was very common
24 back in 1947. Men
20150
used to be the
15100
88 breadwinner of the
10 50 12
41 house and women
0 13 25
5 4
1947 1960 1970 1980 1990 2001 used to stay at home
5
0 1 2 and did household
1947 TELEVISION
1960 CONNECTIONS
1970 PER 10,000 PERSONS
1980 1990 2001
activities. Nowadays
everyone, men and
women, both are career driven. Women used to be illiterate before but now 80% of the
women are getting education but only 60% of these make their way to the universities.
Educated women know their rights and have the confidence to claim them. They are likely
to marry later and have smaller families: they know the importance of health care and how
to seek it for themselves and their children. They can work outside the home: but most
importantly they can use their education to enrich their lives. Nowadays women are
thought to be equal to men because of the “Feminism” culture and women consider
themselves to men in each and every way, which is sometimes consider anti-Islamic.

Poverty:
Back in 1947 and onwards, there was a feudal system which led to most of the people into
the same income groups but now a civil society has made various income groups with low
income groups being the 70%. Similarly, poverty rate has increased since 1947. Caste system
is not dominant but religion-based caste is still somewhat dominant. Concepts of Classes
such as upper class, middle class and lower class are in most use in Pakistan.

Population Growth:
Pakistan’s overall condition cannot be separated from the growth in our population. At
independence, Pakistan was the 13th most populous country in the world, with 32.5 million
people; in 1996 it was seventh, with a population of 140 million. Pakistan’s population
growth rate is now one of the highest in Asia at 2.8 percent: at independence we added a
million people every year or so; today we are adding a million every three months. So, these
patterns changed from independence to date. Which sometimes affects negatively on some
public sectors. There are not enough facilities for such an overgrowing population.
Feudal System:
Feudal system was very common in the beginning due to the British and Hindus activities
and cultures. But gradually these cultures extinguished and today, every one is just classified
into social classes with majority of society into middle or lower class. They can affect lower-
class individuals in terms of self-respect and self-confidence and higher classes consider
themselves in power and prestige. They both are niche of the society.

Urbanization:
Urbanization has increased. People have started moving from rural to urban areas in search
for better employment and better lifestyle. Back in 1947- early 80’s mostly activities were
confined to rural areas and concept of urban areas was not widely spread. But it has
increased with majority of population living in urban and big cities now instead of villages.
And also, since 2000- present, the majority of population is willing to go abroad for better
opportunities. Concept of going abroad was not considered good in previous years but
today it is like a common practice to move abroad.

Family System:
There used to be the concept of “Joint Family System” in 90’s but today, the nuclear family
concept is in practice. Four or sometimes more families used to live in the same house
previously but now only one family lives in the same house. This is nuclear family concept.
Due to this the affection and love between relatives and families is decreasing. Practice of
gathering on an Islamic or Social event has increased.

Changes in Fashion:
Fashion has changed A LOT for both men and women since 1947; from simple and casual,
more eastern looks to trendy and formal, more western looks; fashion has surely changed.
Under the reign of Ayyub Khan, it was compulsory for women to wear scarfs on heads while
coming on TV programmes but it is no more. So social change relative to fashion has also
occurred.

Social Movements:
Social movements have also become a trend since 2000 onwards. It includes Cancer
awareness programmes, Polio campaigns and many more. These are all social movements.
“AURAT MARCH”, relative to feminism, is also a social movement. These types of
movements were not popular back in 90’s.

Negative Activities:
Because of certain factors and increasing rates of corruption and intercession of powerful
people, negative activities also occur such as crime rates and suicide rates in lower classes
have increased a lot to such an extent that everyday there are at least 10 suicidal and
related news in TV’s or newspapers. Drug addiction and depression has also increased.
Excessive use of social media and its effects on young generation are such that it has
decreased productivity in the youth and they are more prone to their phones than their
books. Sometimes excess of social media causes depression as it is said that excess of
everything is bad.
 Social change can be both positive and negative. A positive social
change can do great for the betterment of society while a negative social change can disturb
the society to a great extent and relative behaviours of people are affected by it too. Social
change mostly affects the lower class. So, the social change and behaviours of individuals
are inter-related.