Joe Shearer
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Please share your point of view; the third alternative. Many of us know that neither case is fully correct (or fully incorrect). Pakistani Nationalism is a very unique confusing historical phenomenon that's continuously evolving, in part, due to constantly changing geopolitical realities post 1947/1971/2001 etc, and maybe it is not yet possible to arrive at a single, comprehensive theory to explain what Pakistani Nationalism entails. During the struggle for independence, Pakistan meant different things for different people.. a trend that continues to this day. I believe how the British viewed the concept of/alternative Pakistan in the 1940s needs to be analyzed in more detail.
I believe that there were two parts to it, and only the second part should count today.
The origin was in the hurt pride of a dominant minority that found that a universal franchise democracy would swamp them, and formed a view that they should not be part of such a universal franchise democracy. Unfortunately, the concept of consociationalism had not been properly articulated then, otherwise political scientists would have been acknowledging today that Jinnah's plan was a perfect example of consociationalism, the concept on which Canada runs so happily and successfully today.
In the last 70 years, however, this hurt pride ceased to be the foundation; while it plays a part in our mutual interaction in almost every way, the foundation has shifted to every Pakistani's voluntary acceptance of Pakistan, even joyful celebration of being Pakistani. That is the real nazariya-e-Pakistan, and all else is distraction. It matters only that this large number of people has decided to make a country together, and feel good about their country.