Secularism in Pakistan

The concept of the Two-Nation Theory on which Pakistan was founded, was largely based on Muslim nationalism. Secularism in Pakistan went from being a matter of practice in law by the Government of Pakistan to a political movement opposing the Islamization policies of the military dictator General Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s.

Pakistan is like Israel, an ideological state. Take out Judaism from Israel and it will collapse like a house of cards. Take Islam out of Pakistan and make it a secular state; it would collapse. ~ Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq

Quotes

• They were afraid that once Islam became the state - religion in Pakistan , other religious groups would be discriminated against .
  • Electoral Problems in Pakistan - 50 M. Mahfuzul Huq · 1966 · ‎

• Pakistan is like Israel, an ideological state. Take out Judaism from Israel and it will collapse like a house of cards. Take Islam out of Pakistan and make it a secular state; it would collapse. For the past four years we have been trying to bring Islamic values to this country.
  • General Zia-ul-Haq (1916-89), Chief Martial Law Administrator, Pakistan, 1981. As quoted from Tariq Ali - The Clash of Fundamentalisms_ Crusades, Jihads and Modernity-Verso (2002) page 156