... Pakistan having carved out its existence on the basis of religion from a plural sub-continental social order embarked on the task of nation-building on the basis of Islam. In fact, Pakistan has been attempting to juxtapose an Islamic identity over a diverse cultural, ethnic and linguistic social mosaic. The last fifty years experience of its existence reveals that Pakistan has failed in its initiatives in building a homogeneous theocratic social order. Thus, under the veneer of an imposed Islamic identity, the ethno-cultural identities have been trying to assert themselves. This assertion has brought them at loggerheads with the establishment resulting in violence and mayhem.

Pakistan could not prevent the assertion of Bengali identity and the subsequent cessation of east Pakistan in the name of Islam. Instead of seeking the opportunities of reconciling the claims of diverse ethno-cultural groups and recognising the diversities within, Pakistan establishment has been ruthlessly crushing these identities. It is an irony of history that challenge to the two-nation theory is emanating from within rather than from without.

Pakistan perceives that annexation of Kashmir will provide succour to its thesis and would weaken the argument of promoting social solidarity based on diversity and pluralism. This line of thinking has the potential of tearing apart the social cohesion of South Asian societies. The challenge in Kashmir, which is essentially related to its ethno-cultural assertion in a plural society and articulated in terms of autonomy, is good governance with emphasis on social justice and equitable distribution and access to resources.