The Pakistani state, at the time of Zia, probably wanted a clean slate and a simplistic narrative, (fearing ethnic-nationalism) because it didn’t want to dedicate the bandwidth (funding) to people centric state building (bottom up).
Once we get past the current political impasse, IMHO, now is the best time to embrace the heritage and do the work to put Pakistan on the map in its proper context.
Which has been a massive mistake - because that was still the mistake made post 48.
Pakistan was made for muslims of the subcontinent - it was irrelevant to the origin story(despite Iqbal’s folly of mentioning martial races) where you came from - it was literally the concept of Israel for muslims from the subcontinent. Come and be your best self.
Unfortunately - the concept met ethnic realities and xenophobia - fueled by a racist dictator in Ayub Khan who first used racism in Karachi and then against Bengalis.
IVC NEVER mattered.
Nations need 5 things:
- land
- culture
- beliefs
- economic security
- physical security
Other than land - Pakistani leaders both of the state, of religion, of culture - have been unable to provide any of the remaining four consistently to where it’s just land and physical security left now.
Take culture, for example. Pakistan’s cultural identity has never been rooted in the ancient Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), as its historical continuity was disrupted long before the nation’s conception. Instead, the foundation of Pakistani culture was shaped by Jinnah’s vision—his adoption of Urdu as a unifying language was not merely a “minority power move,” but an attempt to construct a shared cultural framework for a diverse population. Figures like Jinnah were intended to serve as ideals, much like Atatürk in Turkey.
Turkey’s success in this regard lies in its deliberate crafting of a unifying narrative. The state celebrates its history and cultural diversity, from the Ottomans to Islam, while promoting shared ideals like those of Kemalism. Despite regional differences in language and traditions, Turkey’s leadership created cohesion by emphasizing shared symbols like the Kemalist cap and the Turkish language. These tools unify Turks, fostering both pride and purpose.
Pakistan’s fragmentation stems from its failure to create a unifying identity that transcends ethnic, religious, and class divides. Instead of celebrating diversity, the state has allowed it to become a source of division. Economic inequality and uneven development fuel mistrust, while education and media fail to promote a collective vision. Institutions meant to protect the public interest often appear biased.
While the ancient Indus Valley Civilization is a point of historical pride, it lacks direct cultural continuity with present-day Pakistan and thus holds limited relevance for modern nation-building. Instead, fostering a shared cultural narrative that embraces the country’s rich diversity is essential. This can be achieved by celebrating the unique traditions, languages, and arts of all ethnic groups, such as Punjabi music, Sindhi embroidery, Balochi carpets, and Pashtun poetry - heck Coke Studio is a thousand more effective and relevant to IVC.
Promoting inclusive cultural festivals and integrating diverse cultural histories into educational curricula can help bridge societal divides. Additionally, leveraging popular media, like television dramas and their soundtracks, which resonate across different demographics, can serve as a unifying force - it does already.
But if the institutions don’t follow through - id the political will is completely opposite or exploitative or if people simply cannot guarantee food on the table then all these narratives fail.
What do I care about dead people 4000 years ago when I cannot pay the electricity bills on time or provide any future for my children?
It’s not dismissive of the IVC but that you are proposing a top tier of maslow’s pyramid in a society where the base is hollow and barely able to stabd
defence.pk
genoplot.com
