If it’s one thing that has annoyed me since the dawn of time (well, dawn of August 4 2005) is the fact that Pakistan continues to call itself the supreme overlord of Islam.

Don’t get me wrong, the IDEALS that Pakistan was founded on were great, but really, Pakistan’s argument that it is an Islamic Republic is complete bull.

First of all, let me first add that I have nothing *personal* about Pakistan, except for the fact that It is my home country, and the fact that the next few articles on this site are going to be about Pakistan. That being said, I have found the argument for an Islamic state completely stupid and unfounded.

I would like to say that an Islamic Republic would have to follow Islamic Law, known as Sharia’h Law, as well as the ideals and general methods of Islam. That being said, Pakistan does not even come close to following the ideals of Islam.

Corruption, Bribery, and Secret Murders is not Islamic. Nowhere in the Quran does it say to kill opposing enemies, leave people to die in the streets, to be corrupt to the level of no return (and to corrupt others) and to accept bribes as being simple bonuses. Islam teaches us to have a honest life, a pure life. How can a country that thrives on these corrupt principles be Islamic?

Oppression of women is not Islamic. Yes, don’t give me the usual bull about how they are isolated incidents, and (specifically Musharraf sahab) about how they are exaggerated for personal gain. Oppression of Women has become hard-coded into the male-psyche of this country, evident from a simple tour of the country and interviews of the women affected by these incidents.

Muslims stick by each other–in times of hardship and in time of goodness. So, in an Islamic Republic, most officials in your government should follow these ideals. Pakistani Government has not stood up for the rights of Muslims around the world. Don’t get me wrong, I have no intention of having a feud with Papa’Bush, but when you don’t stand by your ullema, you aren’t much of a guardian of Islam.

Alcohol and Drug Levels: Pakistan is one of the few countries in the world where I have seen so much underage drinking. Meaning, 16 was the legal age to drink in Switzerland, but still not so much booze is flying around as a party in KDA or Defense in Karachi. Do remember that alcohol is illegal in Pakistan, yet, for some reason, Pakistanis seem to be fully engrossed in alcoholism and being drunk for any reason imaginable. Just look at our Ministers, Members of Assembly, President, Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Governor etc. All are engaged in drinking or involved in some sort of substance abuse. Parties for affluent families are incomplete without alcohol being present and it is a common sight to see cocktail parties thrown at weddings right after the nikah nama.

Human Rights Violations in Pakistan are more rampant in Pakistan than the free flowing booze. For a country basing itself on the ideals of Islam, and how Islam has so many human rights guaranteed, however, even the basic ones are denied to Pakistanis. Voting is limited, Basic needs and amenities curtailed, the basic right to freedom of speech and press denied.

Overall conditions of the poor is something to be completely ashamed about (to say the least). Poverty levels are increasing, and more and more people are stuck in the endless cycle which is poverty. With the increasing prices of basic commodities, life is becoming more and more expensive to live–yet the basic salaries for low income people remains the same. Furthermore, it is utterly useless to claim that the quality of life of these people is anything but substandard, as they are living on land that is not owned by anyone, and in conditions with no electricity and bad/contaminated water. This is trully a sign of shame for the government.

But my reason for ranting is not based on the pure purpose of demonstrating the inefficiencies fo the government of Pakistan. My reason is to remove the facade that Pakistan was built on the ideals of Islam, and is being run because of a Muslim separatists state. The truth is, Pakistan was built because politicians wanted more power, albeit Muslim Politicians. It was politics to begin with and they exploited and continue to exploit religion as the reason for Pakistan to exist, when, in fact, Pakistan is no more Islamic then India or any other Middle Eastern Nation. The notion for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to exist, and for laws pertaining to shariah exist on the sole background and reason of the nation is completely stupid. The Government of Pakistan should simply strip this mask of Islam and open up the laws and regulations that it is so intent on not following and allow for all to prosper by making it legal for the people to do what they are already doing and are happy to do so.  If they do not want to follow the principles and rules of Islam then it should not be against the law of the land to do so. It should be their own right.

I continue to think that government and relgion have to be seperated and the government is not the gaurdian of a religion. For a country to be making laws based on relgious texts when the general public of the country is  not willing to accept them and abide by them is completely ludicrious to say the least.

note: I am sure that by the above comments I have angered a couple of mullah’s who consider it to be blasphemy to say the least. I understand that they believe that anyone who turns unIslamic should be killed or hanged or stoned or whatever. However, I do not consider the Government of Pakistan to be able to make safe, decent rules and regulations which can actually be enforced without the above doctrine of seperation. Furthermore, I personally believe it is better for people to live in reality of how much is legal so that they can make mends with their children and loved-ones to insure that they are not doing something unIslamic rather than thinking that the law will make them follow the rules of Islam (when it is so blatantly not doing so in the current state of affairs).