Can Pakistan be secular?

Although I am of the view that we cannot survive with Mullahism in Pakistan, we cannot afford secularism in the country too. This subject requires debate. I repect the views of all Pakistanis on Chowk, but since we are all educated and are looking forward to a true democracy in the country, all shades of opinion should be heard and respected. There can be no name callings, because democracy means freedom of expression and of debate. How can we expect democracy in Pakistan, if we are not democrats from with ourselves.

Having said all of that, I believe Pakistan, like Israel, is an ideological country. We have to maintain that stance. We have to keep Pakistan as a moderate Mulsim country that allows all the faiths to exist with Muslims in harmony. As a Muslim country therefore, we should proclaim peace within and peace with out.

Secularism to me would be the first nail resulting in the slow but sure death of the country through crucifixation. How? Well there would be no common ground for so many ethnic groups to co-exist.

Can history and culture be a common ground in a secular Pakistan? Of course not. As it is, some Chowksters question the credibility of certain historic figures who are considered to be hero for a particular ethnic group. Culturally, Pakhtoons; Punjabis; Baloch; and Sindhis are totally different from each other.

Then if Pakistan were to be secular, what was the reason for a separate country for Muslims. If that is the case, then perhaps few years down the road, decide to reunite with India since there will be no differences.

To me, the only logical course of action is to continue with the present vision of making Pakistan a moderate Islamic country. This would also mean breaking the clutches of Mullahism.

This reminds me of a verse from Iqbal, which would be applicable for all the diverse ethnic groups of Pakistan:

Paiwasta reh shajar say ummeed bahar rakh.