Pakistan: A State in Search of National Identity

Every state needs a viable explanation for its emergence, continued existence and a strong national identity. Pakistan as a state materialized on the fulcrum of two nation’s theory that explores its ideological origin from its religious identity. In the coming decades that perceived religious homogeneity failed to keep the state united and Pakistani state faced persistent identity crisis that leads to weak institutions, political conflict and instability, sectarian strife and radicalization of its society. Civilian leadership failed to deal with its socio-political and economic challenges effectively and military rule became a normalized feature of its political reality. Political scholars have tried to explained its nature and ideological positioning and, it has been termed as an Islamic state; a garrison state or even as an illiberal democracy. Ever since its inception as a state, Pakistan is searching for its national identity with a convincing explanation. The present paper strives to explore its ideological position in the light of its history, social divisions, political institutions, religious identity and developmental challenges.