THE IDEA OF PAKISTAN

Book Review:
“The Idea of Pakistan” has been penned by Stephen Philip Cohen. It has 367 pages and
was originally published on 21st September, 2004 at Brookings Institution Press, Washington
DC. The piece we read was published simultaneously in Lahore and Washington in 2005. Its
ISBN is 969-402- 491-9. Cover art has been taken from the Padshahnama and depicts “The Siege
of Qandahar”. Its area of focus is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan viewed from a lens that goes
beyond the narrative of a small, failed state that Pakistan is often associated with.
Mr. Cohen (born 1936) is an American political scientist who obtained his PhD from the
University of Wisconsin. He is an expert on security and proliferation issues concerning South
Asia particularly India and Pakistan. After serving the US Department of State as a member of
the Policy Planning Staff and the University of Illinois as a professor of political science and
history, he joined Brookings Institution as senior fellow on foreign policy studies. Dr. Cohen is
the author, co-author, or editor of over 14 books including “The Future of Pakistan”, “India:
Emerging Power” and “Shooting for a Century: The India-Pakistan Conundrum”. He was named
as one of “America’s 500 Most Influential People” in the area of foreign policy by the World
Affairs Councils of America in 2004.
Central Idea
Mr. Cohen started the book by highlighting the factors which ultimately resulted in the
emergence of basic idea of Pakistan and its practical manifestation in the state of Pakistan.
Getting along, he illustrated the figures like Muhammad Ali Jinnah who excelled in advancing
that idea into a proper state. Dr. Cohen has provided deep analysis and details about chronicles of
military dictatorships in Pakistan. To support his argument, he studied all the four military rulers
(Gen. Ayub Khan, Gen. Yahya Khan, Gen. Zia Ul Haq and Gen. Pervaiz Musharaf) and their
tenures. Though his book came in between the tenure of Gen. Pervaiz Musharaf but he presented
his views about Musharaf’s policies without any hesitation. Cohen has given a long rollercoaster
ride of the clumsy Indo-Pak relations since the independence of both states, the security dilemma
between both states and how have they both inspired each other in acquiring nuclear weapons.
He exclusively scrutinized all the major and minor clashes between India and Pakistan, including
four major wars (1948, 1965, 1971, 1999) and other minor encounters. In addition to that, he
dedicated a fair share of his work to the internal; politics and corrupt leadership of Pakistan from
the time of Liaquat Ali Khan becoming the prime minister, to the recent decade of democracy,
mainly covering Nawaz’s and Benazir’s Government, along with a prominent years of Zulfiqar
Bhutto’s administration.
He has aptly described the political and social institutions of Pakistan namely the
military, political, Islamist and the regional elites. The regionalism and separatism that haunts
Pakistan has been very thoroughly described in context of the many ethnolinguistic groups and
their history. Cohen then describes the demographic danger signs, educational shortcomings and
economic imbalances in Pakistan from its inception till the present (2004). He continues and
presents six possible future scenarios (i.e. continuation of the status quo, liberal secular
democracy, soft authoritarianism, an Islamist state, divided Pakistan and post war Pakistan)
describing each with its probability and impacts. Furthermore, US-Pakistan relations have been
elucidated covering their history, American short-term and long-term interests in Pakistan, policy
alternatives for the US, the danger signs and the Pakistani perspective of the US. He ends the
book by stating that Washington must ensure that Pakistan will not become America’s biggest
foreign policy concern in the years that lie ahead.
Critical Analysis
Dr. Cohen has aptly tried to narrate the idea of Pakistan since Pakistan’s inception and
beyond. He has outlined all the phenomenon which engenders a state, Pakistan out of a mere
idea. Albeit that Dr. Cohen tried to cover vast spectrum of theories to support his argument and
mostly we have praise for his work but here are a few things where according to us he lacked
reliability and credibility. To our surprise, the Mr. Cohen has portrayed the journalist and
educator, Sir Syed Ahmed khan (1817-98) as a man who feared the British and had worked
cogently to inhibit Christian missionaries’ intrusion into subcontinent. As per Mr. Cohen’s
words, “He (Sir Syed Ahmed) respected-even feared- the British, tirelessly arguing that the only
way for India’s Muslims is to resist the encroachment of Christian missionaries and the large
Hindu community was to become educated to a high standard and remain royal to the Raj.”
(p.25) While in reality, Sir Syed was the most diligent advocate of British rule in subcontinent.
For in his prominent book ‘The Loyal Muhammadans of India,’ Sir Syed writes: “I am extremely
angry with the Muslims who rebelled and were defiant against the British and considered them
bad because this outbreak by the Muslims was against the people of the book, the who are our
religious brothers, believed in the messengers, accepted Allah’s rules and keep Allah’s revealed

books with them which are part of our fundamental beliefs. Therefore, whenever Christian blood
was shed, Muslim blood should have been shed too.”
At another place Dr. Cohen has declared Mr. Jinnah’s “procedures” as “extralegal” by
stating that, “Jinnah’s divisive rhetoric and acceptance of extralegal procedures” (p.42)
Ironically, Mr. Cohen succeeded in voicing his narrative against a notable barrister of
subcontinent, without certifying any incident to support his argument. Moreover, the author
proclaims in the very next paragraph of the same page that, “He (Jinnah) left no document
outlining his plans for the new state (Pakistan), “. Whereas, on the contrary Mr. Jinnah had
profusely spell out his concerns and plans regarding Pakistan at numerous forums. Out of his
countless addresses, his speech at Frontier Muslim League Conference on November 21, 1945.
He said, “The Muslim demand Pakistan where they could rule according to their own code of
life and according to their own cultural growth, traditions and Islamic laws.”
Furthermore, in another chapter, perhaps because of Dr. Cohen’s Jewish background. His
views on the subject of Islam as civilization were disappointing. For a man as much learned as
him, it was to some extent depressing for us to know the fact that he doesn’t see Islam as a
proper ‘civilization’. According to Mr. Cohen’s analysis, “Islam, like Judaism and Christianity,
is not a ‘civilization’ but a religion moving through a historical progression, adapting to
circumstances and acquiring new characteristics over the years.” Whereas, renowned historians
like Sir Hamilton Gibbs (1895-1971) had long ago notified in celebrated books like
’Muhammedanism-An Historical Survey’ how Islam is a civilization.
In addition to all these errors, one major issue which provoked our thoughts, while
reading was of the authenticity of given facts and figures indicated in book. For instance, at
(p.244) Dr. Cohen wrote that, “(At) Islamabad’s Quaid-e- Azam University, eighteen of thirty
graduates admitted to the Pakistan Studies Department confessed that they had counterfeit
degrees.” Without any enunciated references and citations. Such facts without evidences are
mere allegations. We have also found the last chapter somewhat hypocritical, as the perpetuated
balance which Mr. Cohen thrived in establishing throughout his work was disturbed in his
terminating chapters. Unlike the initial chapters Dr. Cohen appears to depict a larger than life
picture of Pakistan. It seems that he himself being an American considers Pakistan nothing more
than a state that can be used as an ally in the exhilarating War on Terror, and specifically to
secure the victory of western bloc in it. He suggested the US policy makers some alternatives to

ensure that Pakistan remains on their side and doesn’t become their biggest foreign policy
problem. Meanwhile where Dr. Cohen has shed light on the historical relationship shared by US
and Pakistan, there he halts to justify or even acknowledge US interference in Pakistan’s political
development. Intentionally or not, he has also turned a deaf ear to explore the reasons as to why
is there always a Republican President in the White House at Washington when there is a
dictator in office at Pakistan and to all intents and purposes, in such peculiar environment Pak-
US affairs flourish astonishingly.
Conversely, Dr. Cohen has presented a very detailed stance of Pakistan’s past, present
and future. He has encouraged his readers to observe Pakistan and comprehend its idea from
grass root level. By recounting the struggle for Pakistan and circumstances which unfolded to
fashion a completely different state, he helped his readers to profusely assimilate the concept of
Pakistan without viewing it from the lens of a failed state. For example, Mr. Cohen admitted that,
“Yet each time Pakistan has been declared a “failed state” it has come back from the grave.” To
cement his argument, he quoted Ian Talbot and his analysis of Pakistan which go beyond the
cliché of three “A’s”: Allah, the Army, and America. Dr. Cohen has stated that failure is not a
straightforward concept and if the inability of a state to provide basic needs and rights to its
citizens, its incapacity to protect the people from foreign aggression or to commit genocides
against its own population is failure then even “the most advanced and competent states fail from
time to time” (p. 3). We commend him for presenting this notion. Furthermore, Mr. Cohen has
highly criticized the content of textbooks in Pakistan while discussing the educational
deterioration and has elaborately quoted Tariq Rehman, as to “how they(textbooks) violate
Jinnah’s statement, don’t mention Hindus without calling them bad words, don’t embrace the
pre-Islamic history of Pakistan and distort the history of 1965 and 1971 wars” (p. 243). This is a
hard pill to swallow but it is true and we must work for the improvement and effectiveness of our
curriculum.
The most effective feature of this book, it seems is that it gives a very detailed account of
Pakistan’s history from before its creation till 2004 covering many aspects. Another laudable
notion is that he is not biased towards any Pakistani regime like many are; he criticizes and
appreciates them when and if required without any prejudice. The chapter on the demography,
education and economy in Pakistan is an all-inclusive chapter which is very informative. The
danger of separatism that looms over us Pakistanis has been addressed and he is of the opinion

that Pakistan will not undergo a breakup unless its army breaks up or it goes to war against India.
He has given the historical background of the various ethnic groups as well. At some places in
the book, there are info boxes that provide extra information which add to the understanding of
the reader. The way he builds arguments is praiseworthy and one can learn the art of it from this
book. Therefore, even if there are some negative aspects in the book, its pros outweigh the cons
and the book becomes a thorough assessment of Pakistan. To conclude, we appreciate the
concern of Dr. Cohen towards Pakistan. Despite being a foreigner he has scanned Pakistan for
the improvement and betterment of its image throughout the globe, his emphasis upon the revival
or recalculation of US long term and short term plans in Pakistan laid the foundations to resolve
approaching obstacles. As Cohen suggests in final chapter that, “Achieving short-term
objectives, though important, will mean little if Pakistan were to evolve into a truly dangerous
state or come apart, spewing nuclear technology and terrorists in every direction,” (p. 307) he
recommended super powers generally, and, US particularly to start viewing Pakistan from a
different angle and advance lens.
What did we learn from it?
Since its’ inception in 1947, Pakistan has seen a never ending race between its de jure
and de facto masters. The jockeying battle among despotic dictators and democratic leaders of
Pakistan has sardonically survived the test of time. History lays witness of the unfortunate rifts
established and later deepened by the lethargic leadership of Pakistan. The patterns laid by
Pakistan’s early ancestors and the legacy carried by their heirs had contributed keenly in keeping
Pakistan engrossed in its own paradoxical paradigm. 70 years of independence have passes and
Pakistan already has a tentative tale to narrate in centuries to follow, the irony of fate is that yet
not once was the idea of Pakistan prevailed, within Pakistan. But at this stage, according to us
and our meager apprehension it would be inappropriate to predict where the tide will settle.
Pakistan is too young to be declared as failed or millennium state, for it has just begun
rudimentary reasoning. Looking around as we observe recent and earlier powers, all of them
have a fair share of glories and frustrations; centuries of violence and decades of absolute
collapse and exactly when the final ray of hope is about to fade another torch is ignited, inspired
by the revolutionary ideas and spawned by eerie sense of awakening. Every nation, every
country has taken its time to rise above the table, and so will Pakistan take. Not immediately, but
eventually.

(Nabiya) My father is in the army and I have received most of my education at an army-
established school. Growing up, I have encountered people who would argue how the army has
contributed towards Pakistan’s present pathetic condition and it would infuriate me because my
younger, naive self was actually appreciative of the dictators in our country. The book has made
me realize that the military though one of our most powerful assets is not all white. It has some
shades of black in it too. Hence, it is essential to always look for more than one perspective on
everything. Secondly, when I was taught Pakistan Studies at the elementary and secondary
levels, I learnt that the All India Muslim League was an all-inclusive party that saved the
Muslims from utter destruction and that the Indian National Congress was the cunning black
sheep. Now I know that Muslim League was only for the elite and it makes me question, “Have
we ever truly been taught history the way it occurred?” Last but not the least, it is our duty to
equip ourselves with the best to make sure that Pakistan rises high in the comity of nations.
(Mahnoor) Since my childhood I have seen Pakistan taking mighty blows, always losing
major ground in international arena. After 9/11, a constant era of turmoil ascended upon
Pakistan. Even before 9/11, things were not as good as often portrayed. Economy was at the
brink of crumbling, terrorism was high and most of my leisure time at home was spent in
listening to another failure on the part of sitting government. I failed to comprehend or even
understand these common worries shared by every citizen of Pakistan. Today, I know there was
a long track of struggles and failures which contributed aptly in creating Pakistan, a nexus
distress. The most important thing I learned from studying this book is perhaps the fact that
Pakistan has been a highly militarized state, and as per military’s deep roots in the foundations of
Pakistan it won’t be wrong to say that, it still is predominantly supervised by military. Our
institutions may cherish doctrines of democracy or seems to work independently without any
external or internal pressure. Still the final act, right before the curtains fall will always be
orchestrated by the Army.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, this book according to us was informative for basic, introductory
understanding. One can find multiple books on each aspect that has been described by the writer
very skillfully. It covers almost every era and aspect of Pakistan. All those questions which could
be answered in this brief initiatory study were all answered. Albeit that Dr. Cohen has tried to
explain as much as he could but somethings will always go unexplained. The language and

vocabulary used were also easy and simple but effective. Now comes the main question: Is the
book recommended? Yes, we do recommend this book to those who seek to gain basic
knowledge about the causes who led to the formation of Pakistan, the consequences faced by the
creation of Pakistan and lastly the incidents which shaped the present day scenario of Pakistan.
For students at undergraduate level and people who aspire to appear in civil services exams, it is
a gem. This book will certainly equip its readers to gain foundational understanding of Pakistan.
We hope anyone who decides who read it has as much fun as we did.
Final Verdict: 3.5/5

Written by: Muhammad Asaad Ali Khan Sherani