The Pakistani villagers lead a natural life. They do not know of any artificially and outward show which characterize the town life. Cowper, in one of his poem has rightly said: “God made the country and man- made the town.” The villagers in Pakistan live a simple and pure life. They start their work early in the morning, and remain in the fields till sunset. Everything is done leisurely. Life is lived at a slow pace. They do not seem to be in a hurry. The do not have any craze for material pursuits. There is no cutthroat competition and degrading struggle for existence among them. They take everything in a easy way.
Life in a Pakistani village is calm and peaceful. It is free from the noise and din, the hustle and bustle and the rush of traffic which make the town life horrible. There is no feverish activity of the town. The villagers live a contented life. They do not have high ambitions. They are happy when their necessities are fulfilled. Their fields and the cattle are their most precious treasures. They wear thick handspun clothes. Their food is simple. Their recreations are innocent. They do not wish for luxuries of life. Even their women do not indulge in fashions and fineries; they live simple and ordinary life.
Poverty is another disappointing aspect of Pakistani villagers’ life. They labor day and night to produce food for the people, but it is a pity that they find it very difficult to feed their own children. The under-fed and half-clothed children and even grown-ups are a common sight in the Pakistani villages. The landowners thrive on the poor cultivators. In the provinces where the cultivators are themselves land-owners, the position is better off.
It is really sad to say that the villagers do not enjoy even the common amenities of life. There do not exist adequate medical facilities. There are no dispensaries; if some of the villagers are provided with hospitals and dispensaries, they are ill equipped. The villagers fall an easy prey to the quacks. They live under insanitary conditions. They live in Kachcha house which are not properly ventilated. There is no drainage system. The heaps off rubbish lie here and there, Mosquitoes breed, and there is every danger of the outbreak of an epidemic.
It is true that life in a Pakistani village is far from being satisfactory. However, after independence, our Government has made serious efforts for rural uplift. Huge sums are being spent on village development through Community Development Programmes . Villages are being electrified. Teams of social workers are going from village to village to make the villagers familiar with the basic things which will add to the health and happiness of their life. Schools are being set up in every village. Medical facilities are provided. The villagers are the backbone of our country. Their lot has been much improved.
