Pakistan and Islam

The creation of Pakistan was based on the ideology of Islam. The plight of Muslims in the subcontinent and the separate lifestyle from the Hindus strengthened the Two Nation theory. Due to tireless struggle of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan emerged on the world map on August 14, 1947 as an independent ‘Islamic’ state.

The desire for the establishment of an Islamic state, the protection of the sovereignty of Almighty Allah, implementation of the Islamic democratic system, protection of the two-nation ideology, preservation and development of Urdu language, development of Muslim civilization and culture, freedom of Muslims, political and economic developments of Muslims, liberation from Hindu prejudice, Congress, Ram Raj and from the British, establishment of peaceful atmosphere, the stronghold of Islam, and national unity were the main features behind the establishment of Pakistan.

The founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah underscored in the Lahore Resolution of March 23, 1940 that Islam and Hinduism are not just religions but two different social systems. Hindus and Muslims cannot marry each other nor eat at the same table and a united nation is not viable.

After the independence of Pakistan, people belonging to every religion have all the basic rights in this country. In Pakistan, people belonging to any religion have complete freedom to perform all their rituals. All facilities have been provided to the minorities living in this Islamic state. Every Pakistani government takes steps for the betterment of minorities. However, the incumbent government is more focusing on a specific minority rather than others. This is the Hindu community.

Apart from promoting goodwill and tourism, the PTI government inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor last year, raising its support for arch-enemy India. The Kartarpur initiative highlighted Pakistan’s positive image around the globe but relations between the two countries didn’t improve. Under the leadership of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, enmity for Pakistan is becoming more apparent. However, the government of Pakistan, ignoring all these things, is taking one step forward every day to please India.

The Pakistani government has sparked a new controversy in the country by allowing the construction of a temple in Islamabad. Only a few numbers of Hindu lives in the federal capital. In the presence of one temple, the government has released millions for the construction of another temple creating a stir among people.

In the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, all religions have complete rights to perform their religious rituals. However, every religion, including Muslims, has to collect its own funds to build its own places of worship in the country.

The PTI-led federal government seems to be making Pakistan a secular state, by expanding relations with Hindus, sometimes with Sikhs and sometimes with Jews, while the pro-Qadiyani lobby is also active in government.

The government is not authorized to give land or money for the construction of any mosque, imambargah, church, or temple. It has always been the case that followers of every religion arrange their own funds to buy land and build their places of worship. The special privilege given by the incumbent government to Hindus and Sikhs to please India is a matter of concern.

The views expressed are solely by the writer and not the organisation.