(d) The national integration is partly psychological and emotional in character but it will be promoted by developing a sense of inter-dependence and complementing economies. Suitable steps for the same may be taken by appropriate organizations.
CULTURAL AFFAIRS
An important aspect of national integration relates to cultural questions. This is a delicate and complex matter. and should be approached with caution. broad- mindedness and understanding. For one thing, in our society, there is no shortage of those bigots and fanatics who would like to throttle all cultural activity, under onc excuse or another. Again, in the name of the evolution of national culture, it is possible to discourage regional cultures and deny people's self-expression through modes to which they are accustomed. Both these temptations should be scrupulously avoided. Achievement of freedom should mean fulfillment of spirit and not frustration. Besides, Pakistan consists of areas, which at the time of Partition were not only “have-nots" in the material sense, but were also comparatively unknown, and their history, culture, and group habits were largely unstudied. If, therefore, full play is not given to the cultural activities of different areas and the study of their history and group habits is not encouraged, the human element in these areas will remain unknown. No harmonized national life is possible, without a study and understanding of the component groups. It is, therefore, imperative that full play should be given to traditional cultural activities associated with different areas, and these variations should be approached in a spirit of broad-mindedness, respect and understanding.
On the other hand, the Central Government of Pakistan cannot escape its responsibilities for assisting the growth of a national culture, as a basis for harmonization of different groups in the country. This responsibility is increased very considerably, as previous studies of our regional cultures have very often been made by non-Muslims, who even when they approached the question with an open mind were not very well-equipped to discern and appreciate the Islamic and other common elements in various regional cultures, which provide the common thread running in these cultures. This difficulty is very greatly increased by the fact that in some arcas, foreign governments and institutions- e.g. Afghanistan in Pushto-speaking areas of West Pakistan and the institutions at Calcutta, etc., in case of East Pakistan-arc constantly trying, in many ways, to influence cultural activity within Pakistan on lines which must create problems for the nation.
In these circumstances, it will be a major failure of duty on the part of Government of Pakistan to take the line of least resistance, and to enable disruptive elements, with or without inspiration and assistance from across the border, to damage Pakistan's solidarity. The line on which Government should face the problem has been indicated above. The Ministries of Education and Information and Broadcasting should clearly realize their responsibilities and take suitable steps, after very careful consideration, to achieve them. They should assist cultural activity in all parts of Pakistan and give full play to cultural expression through traditional and local modes. They should, however, be held responsible for making a careful study of the cultural trends and history of the country in various regions, and discovering and fostering those trends which make for a harmonized
