In what way would you explain the relationship between nationalism, identity, and

statehood with respect to Pakistan today?

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In what way would you explain the relationship between nationalism, identity, and
statehood with respect to Pakistan today?

Rania Jawad

Department of Government and Public Policy, NUST

GPA 206: Pakistan’s Domestic Issues and Politics

Ms. Rehma. R. Hyder

October 6, 2023

The multitude of nationalities, converging geographic lines, and the continual effort to define a

single national identity provide substantial obstacles in the complex interaction between

nationalism and modern Pakistan. It was thought that Pakistan's nation-building process would

be straightforward following the creation of an ideology-based country, however, the ideology of

In what way would you explain the relationship between nationalism, identity, and
statehood with respect to Pakistan today?
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Islam was not enough to keep the country united as Pakistan became one of the first countries to

experience partition within its borders. This proves that the idea of Islam as the basis of identity

for Pakistan may have been inherently wrong since constructing a nation solely on the basis of

religion where the religion itself is divided into numerous sects is confusing, till present we

observe a trend of ethnic/communal and sectarian violence in the name of religion. Pakistan’s

statehood is closely tied to Islam however the interpretation and proper application of Islamic

teachings within Pakistan is a matter of debate. This paper will talk about how Pakistan is better

off being a ‘state-nation’ instead of a ‘nation-state’.

“If it takes to the ideology of difference, today we are differentiating between the colonizers and

the colonized, tomorrow we will differentiate between the hindus and the muslims and the day

after tomorrow perhaps between sikhs and hindus and yet day after tomorrow perhaps between

the south and the north, there is no end to ideologies of difference” (Video) The extract offered

is a moving perspective on the ongoing difficulty of balancing diversity within Pakistan's sense

of national identity. The incident of Bangladesh's separation from Pakistan represents a tragic

split within the Muslim community and emphasizes the enormous challenges of maintaining a

nation based on religious identity when regional, linguistic, and cultural differences persist.

Sectarian conflict has frequently resulted in bloodshed in Pakistan due to tensions between the

Sunni and Shia Muslim groups. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi carried out a suicide attack on January 10,

2013, in Quetta's Hazara Shia neighborhood, resulting in over 100 fatalities and several injuries.

This gap has been reinforced by incidents like the targeting of religious processions, which is

extremely challenging for national unity.

In what way would you explain the relationship between nationalism, identity, and
statehood with respect to Pakistan today?
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The Jaranwala incident, in which the Christian community lost Rs. 29.1 million in damages

while 91 homes lost Rs. 38.5, highlights the country's larger problem of religious intolerance and

division. Under Articles 295-A of the Constitution, a person who ‘hurt religious sentiments of

anyone’ is to be punished but issue is not of the law but the inherent sense of entitlement of

Muslims over their homeland which makes them do acts which are entirely anti-Islamic.

Symbolism and contradictions have characterized Pakistan's process of forging a national

identity, reflecting the complexity of the nation's historical and cultural development. Pakistan's

administrative and educational systems are not entirely run in Urdu, despite Urdu being regarded

as a crucial component of Pakistan's identity.

Additional contradictions appear in the form of actions taken by Pakistanis themselves that

appear to contradict one another. A paradox exists in the attack on Jinnah's historic Ziarat

Residency. This behavior goes against Pakistanis' reverence for Jinnah as their leader. A

different perspective on the function of statues in Islam is revealed by the controversy

surrounding the statue of Ranjit Singh. While some protested because they believed that Ranjit

Singh had killed Muslims while in power, the bigger question of whether statues are inherently

un-Islamic has not been addressed. Paradoxes also characterize Pakistan's use of Islamic

symbolism in its national identity. To promote national unity, leaders have used Islamic

symbolism and Pan-Islamism. For example, the Pakistani missile was named "Ghauri" even

though the name itself has Afghan roots. Last but not least, despite the fact that he preferred

Western clothing, Jinnah is portrayed wearing a Shalwar Kameez in national buildings in an

effort to balance the leader's contemporary image with Pakistan's rich cultural and religious

history. Public Spaces, Architecture and National Identity by Raza Rumi. (2018)
In what way would you explain the relationship between nationalism, identity, and
statehood with respect to Pakistan today?
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The idea of being a Pakistani has changed as various ruling elites have offered distinctive state

identities. Religious intolerance resulted from General Zia ul Haq's Islamization and Islamic

socialism of Z.A. Bhutto was interpreted as unIslamic. General Zia ul Haq's Islamization led to

religious intolerance and a society that had been heavily Islamized was difficult to deradicalize

despite General Musharraf's progressive moderation's best efforts. These initiatives show how

difficult it is to adopt a single ideology in a country with such a diverse population, where

balancing Islamic tradition with other cultural and religious traditions is still a constant struggle.

Religious Extremism incidents, alongside ongoing nationalist movements in regions including

Sindhi Nationalist Movement, Mohajir Movement, Pashtun Autonomy Movements, Gilgit-

Baltistan Demands, South Punjab Separation Movements and Balochistan separation movement

underscore the complex and enduring struggle of Pakistan to reconcile its diverse ethnicities and

religious fragments within a single national identity. The concept of a unified Pakistan remains

an ongoing and elusive aspiration.

In conclusion, Rabindranath Tagore's wisdom on how India’s genius lives in its heterogeneity

and in its pluralism in its ability to accommodate all its rainbow civilizations reminds us of South

Asia's unique strength—the ability to flourish amid diversity and pluralism. Pakistan should

think about embracing the idea of a "state-nation" rather than aiming for a unique national

identity through language, one-unit schemes, the banner of Islam, or the shared desire to liberate

Kashmir. This strategy promotes unity in diversity by valuing our diversity as a source of

strength. It's a vision of a country where every citizen, regardless of background, is valued and
In what way would you explain the relationship between nationalism, identity, and
statehood with respect to Pakistan today?
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felt to be a part of it, paving the way for a more peaceful and inclusive future for our beloved

country.

References

Ahmad, A. S. (1986). Pakistan Society: Islam, Ethnicity & Leadership in S. Asia.

Al Jazeera. (2017, October 9). Hazara Shia Muslims Attacked in Pakistan's Quetta. Al Jazeera.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/9/hazara-shia-muslims-attacked-in-pakistans-quetta
In what way would you explain the relationship between nationalism, identity, and
statehood with respect to Pakistan today?
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Eqbal Ahmad Centre for Public Education. (2016, February 4). Stories my country told me –

Eqbal Ahmad on the Grand Trunk Road [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=9opz5b-C4Do

Rumi, R. (2018). Being Pakistani: Society, Culture and the Arts. Harper Collins.

Zahoor, B., & Rumi, R. (2020). Rethinking Pakistan: A 21st Century Perspective. Anthem Press.