Paper short abstract:

This paper discusses socio-cultural change in rural Pakistan with respect to the interrelated demographic, technological, and policy related factors. The paper highlights change and continuity in culture and society in rural areas of South Punjab, Pakistan.

Paper long abstract:

Pakistan is located at the crossroads of the Persian Gulf, South and Central Asia. This location gives Pakistan geographic as well as cultural diversity. It comprises diverse cultures due to complex history, migrations, wars, calamities, diverse geographic features and economies. In rural areas of Pakistan, the scarcity of agricultural land, growth of industry, migration, and shift towards nuclear families are indicative of sociocultural change due to the population growth. Similarly, the use of modern technology in agriculture and other activities of life have not only changed the built environment and landscape but also reshaped human relationships. One of the result of the above two factors is the abandonment of labour/services-production exchange between the peasants and the landlords. This paper discusses sociocultural change in rural Pakistan with respect to the interrelated demographic, technological and policy related factors. The paper highlights change and continuity in Pakistan through anthropological analysis of rural areas in South Punjab.