The Concept Of An Islamic State In Pakistan

Since 1947, Pakistan has been torn by a fundamental question: Should the state be based on the sovereignty of God or the sovereignty of the people? Ishtiaq Ahmed’s landmark study dissects nine competing “theories” of the Islamic state - and reveals why this debate remains unresolved.

The Concept of an Islamic State in Pakistan is a systematic, rigorous analysis of the ideological controversies that have shaped Pakistan’s polity from its inception. Ishtiaq Ahmed, a distinguished political scientist, examines nine distinct positions or “theories” that have been advanced over the decades - ranging from the modernist vision of Muhammad Iqbal and Muhammad Ali Jinnah to the traditionalist interpretations of the ulema, from the theocratic impulses of the Zia era to contemporary Islamist movements.

Ahmed devises a three‑step method of qualitative content analysis to compare these modes of reasoning systematically. He focuses on the concept of an Islamic state as a political ideology and evaluates its compatibility with modern Western democracy. The book explores how each theory understands sovereignty, citizenship, law, and the role of religion in public life.

Drawing on extensive primary and secondary sources, Ahmed shows that the debate is not a simple binary but a complex field of competing ideas. His balanced, scholarly approach clarifies issues that are often reduced to slogans. For students of political science, history, and Islamic thought, this book is indispensable for understanding the intellectual roots of Pakistan’s ongoing identity struggle.

Why We Love It:
At Kitab Markaz, we believe that Pakistan’s future depends on clarity about its past. Ishtiaq Ahmed’s book provides that clarity. He does not take sides; instead, he maps the ideological terrain with precision, fairness, and intellectual honesty. We love this book because it equips readers to move beyond partisan shouting and engage with the real questions: What is the proper relationship between religion and state? How do we reconcile Islamic principles with democratic governance? For anyone who cares about Pakistan’s direction - students, scholars, journalists, and concerned citizens—this is an essential addition to the library.

About the Author:
Ishtiaq Ahmed is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Stockholm University and a distinguished scholar of South Asian politics. He has written extensively on nationalism, democracy, and Islam in the subcontinent. His other works include The Punjab Bloodied, Partitioned and Cleansed, Jinnah: His Successes, Failures and Role in History, and The Politics of Religion in South Asia. He is known for his meticulous research and his ability to address contentious topics with scholarly detachment and moral seriousness.

The Concept of an Islamic State in Pakistan: An Analysis of Ideological Controversies is available now at Kitab Markaz . We deliver across Pakistan and worldwide - so this essential guide to Pakistan’s ideological foundations can reach you, wherever you are.