Why Pakistan is a failed state

One reason why Pakistan is a failed state is the greed for loot, whether it be the military or civilian leadership.

- M.D. NALAPAT

Pakistan being a failed state is obvious even to those in charge of it, and they know the reason vests with them. In the first place, to make religion the most important binding factor is ridiculous. Even in a family, members may differ on the nuances of the faith they all belong to. Being much larger in number, the population of Pakistan has each got her or his own nuance in both principle and practice. Some may believe that rituals are the path to Paradise, while others retort that ritual devoid of depth of genuine belief is merely a camouflage for the shallow understanding an individual may have about the faith professed. Some may believe, and not just among the men, that women should keep out or be kept out of certain religious places. Others would have a more tolerant view, and say that both women and men should be treated equally. Religion, any religion, offers a varied canvas of beliefs and practices, and who is to say that one or the other is better? Should the fact of faith be constantly reiterated and sought to be imprinted on minds as the key ingredient of nationhood, such practices are likely to obey the law of diminishing returns. Pakistan is an example of this. Mere adherence to the same faith has not been sufficient to keep the Punjabis, Sindhis, Pashtuns and Baloch united. Should the leadership elements in society constantly harp on faith and ignore the realities of everyday life, they