Constructing Pakistan

Introduction

In his inaugural speech, the founder and first head of state of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah refers to a pre-existing Muslim nation that 'made great sacrifices; to achieve the nation-state of Pakistan. He also sees this transformation of the Muslim nation into a nation-state as a divine gift to the Muslims of India. Thus, according to Jinnah, the creation of Pakistan is the material representation of a divine blessing realised through human will. This realised dream relies heavily on the myth of 'having suffered together', for in defining national identities 'griefs are of more value than triumphs, for they impose duties, and require a common effort.' Yet, Jinnah's inaugural speech is saturated with the silences that make his national claim possible. In most historical accounts of the Indian subcontinent, the nation that Jinnah so gratefully mentions in his inaugural speech did not exist, nor was there any ethno-linguistic or, for that matter, religious imaginary of Pakistan (or a separate Muslim homeland) just thirty years before its birth.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted

First published 2010

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press.

Typeset in Adobe Garamond Pro

Printed in Pakistan by

Pixel Graphics, Karachi.

Published by

Ameena Saiyid, Oxford University press

No. 38, Sector 15, Korangi Industrial Area, PO Box 8214

Karachi-74900, Pakistan