Pakistan’s cultural heritage dates to more than 5,000 years ago However, the emphasis on Islamic ideology has brought about a strong identification with Islamic culture—not only that of the Indian subcontinent but of the broader ISLAMIC WORLD. Literature, notably poetry, is the richest of all Pakistani art forms; music and, especially, modern dance have received less attention. The visual arts too play little part in popular folk culture. Painting and sculpture, however, have made considerable progress as expressions of an increasingly sophisticated urban culture.
