Within Pakistan’s cultural landscape, myths, legends and contemporary folk tales run like a common thread through everyday life. While the roots of folklore reach deep into a mythic past, as discussed in the previous article, this blog turns its attention to the urban legends and ghost stories that are still told today. Some of these tales are centuries old, others more recent in origin, yet all share the same mystical foundations.

IntroductionThe mythology of Pakistan is a rich and layered heritage, shaped by centuries of cultural, religious and spiritual influences. From the mysterious symbols of the Indus civilisation to the poetic mysticism of the Sufis and vibrant folk tales, Pakistani mythology is not a closed chapter but a dynamic collection of stories that continues to evolve. This article is the first part of a series exploring the mythical history of Pakistan in chronological order. We begin with the oldest known culture in the region: the Indus civilisation.

Pakistan is a land of stories, tales whispered around campfires, sung in village squares, recited at poetic gatherings and carried through the collective memory of generations. Together, these narratives form Pakistani folklore: a rich, diverse and layered world deeply rooted in the country’s history, spirituality and culture.Folklore in Pakistan is anything but uniform. Over the centuries, the region has been shaped by a multitude of civilisations, religions and ethnic groups. The result is a unique fusion where elements of the ancient Indus Valley civilisation, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and regional folk cultures intertwine. Sometimes harmoniously, sometimes chaotically.This introduction offers a brief first look at the foundations of this storytelling heritage. In the next parts of this series, we’ll explore specific themes, figures and regions in more depth.