Prelude: The emergence of the idea of nationalism in the Western world and its spread to other countries have influenced many Islamic and non-Islamic nations. This phenomenon has garnered numerous supporters and adherents among them. In the previous sections of this study, we have explained the impact of nationalism on Western and Islamic countries, along with its factors and causes, as thoroughly as possible. In this section of the study, we will discuss the emergence of nationalism and its effects on two neighboring Islamic countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Nationalism in Pakistan
In 1930, Muhammad Iqbal, a Muslim poet and philosopher, proposed the establishment of an Islamic government in India (because until then, Pakistan was part of the territory of India and later gained its independence through Muslims). The name Pakistan (Land of the Pure) was coined by Chaudhry Rahmat Ali, a Cambridge University student, in 1933.
Pakistan is also one of the countries grappling with the phenomenon of nationalism, and many nationalist groups have been active in the country. “In Pakistan, just as the minds of the society are shaped from childhood with sometimes contradictory curricula across the states, the lesson of nationalism and, in some cases, racism is also imparted to the minds alongside the curriculum materials in different regions.”
After World War II, just as nationalism spread throughout the world and evolved over time, reaching both nearby and distant places, this phenomenon also emerged in Pakistan, causing the people to adopt this mindset.
“After World War II, the idea of nationalism spread across the globe, and each nation, particularly at the global level, introduced national heroes in their countries. Based on this idea, they formed a national flag, wrote a national anthem, designated national clothing, national flowers, national sports, national languages, and national cultures, revering everything with the term ‘national.’ This notion of sacredness is so pronounced in the curricula of this country that it can easily be referred to as nationalism in academic discourse. However, in Pakistan, various thoughts about nationalism circulate among different provinces, and even various sects and religions in the country hold diverse perceptions of nationalism.”
An important issue in examining the stages and development of nationalism in Pakistan is that many nationalist parties are still active, with some groups occasionally resorting to arms to achieve their goals and demands. Below are a few of these groups:
1. Baluchistan Republican Army: Founded in 2006, this organization is a separatist, ethno-nationalist paramilitary group.
2. Baloch Nationalist Army.
3. Baloch National Liberation Front: This party serves as an umbrella organization for the main Baloch nationalist militant groups.
It should be noted that nationalist parties in Pakistan are not confined to Baluchistan; they are also present and active in other provinces. “Currently, nationalist Pashtuns in Pakistan are represented by two parties called the ‘National Awami Party’ led by Isfandiyar Wali Khan and the ‘Pakhtunkhwa National Awami Party’ led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai. In 2008, these two parties formed an alliance.”
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