Pakistan: Origins, Identity and Future

Review – Pakistan, Origins, Identity and Future. Pervez HoodbhoyIn the present self-delusional times that both India and Pakistan are passing through, floundering to reshape and redefine not only their identities but parentage, too, Hoodbhoy’s book is a redeeming narrative. Starting with the early settlers of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, the author traces the entire trail of later invaders and settlers, resulting in a rich, syncretic civilization. Hoodbhoy blends in this book a study of objective history gleaned from heaps of chaff, a keen analytical perspective of the key players who shaped the destiny of the sub-continent and an inimitable, effortless style of telling! In his unique style, Hoodbhoy gives us an account of evolving history which is not a documentation of history alone. It is an unbiased analysis of interactive socio-political dynamics as they played upon the Indian Subcontinent at different stages, unearthing and deducing facts distorted beyond recognition or simply blacked out. Even if the book were not the work of outstanding writing that it is, I would recommend it highly for its utter honesty and brutal confrontations with truth for whatever risks it may involve!

Not just for Pakistan, this is also, in a way, about India. What mistakes are now being made in India, are exactly the ones Pakistan has been suffering from.It's extremely difficult to question your nation's founding principles, but the writer has trascended those barriers to come up with an objective & scientific analysis. A must read document

Though the author's views are all evidence based, he has been a bit sympathetic to Mohammad Ali Jinnah. It would have been more appropriate to talk about the plight of the East Pakistanis under the military rule and accept the fact that the two nation theory is a historical garbage. However the author has tried to give a rationally balanced view and kudos to him for an excellent effort, particularly in a field which is not his area of expertise.

This is an outstanding book, written after painstaking research and deep thinking and analysis. Prof Hoodbhoy is to the history of India-Pakistan what Harari is to Home Sapiens.

This is my first time reading the author, Pervez Hoodbhoy, although I have listened to his short interviews on YouTube. Thoroughly enjoying this book providing a historical perspective on the contemporary Politics and Socio-economics in the Indian subcontinent.

The author is a renowned nuclear physicist, author and a vocal human rights activist. In this book he asks some insightful, probing and provocative questions about Pakistan's existence and presents answers with sound arguments. This book is extremely well researched and is thorough. A truly daring attempt at presenting the truth in a plain and easy to follow prose. As someone who grew up in Pakistan, it was truly an eye opening experience and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and recommend it to everyone.

Professor hoodhboy is an intellectual that transcends national boundaries. His entire approach is a root cause analysis. Until an individual or a nation understands the roots of their current predicament, it cannot change course.Having said that, Dr.Hoodhboy falls prey to the same false equivalence of bringing in India/Hindu beliefs of supremacy into frequent comparison through out the book. As a scientist, he for sure must be aware of the incidence/prevalence of such beliefs in Indian society. The majority of Indians do not subscribe to this supremacist ideology - electing Modi is not the same as condoning Hindu supremacy - per the Indian electorate he was the best of the options availableIndians which include a large Hindu/significant Muslim/ not insignificant Christian Sikh and other religions grow up in a pluralistic society. Focus is more on improving the lives of their next generation. There is no monolithic ideology or national policy of hate towards the other.It is unfair to compare a few fringe elements in a population of 1.4 billion with a large swathe of Pakistani society that have been brainwashed by the founders as well as state apparatus for 76 years - majority of Pakistani populace believes in the ideology that people of different faiths can’t live together/supremacy; it is a minority in India.But it is a warning to all the educated Indians to keep the genie of religion in private sphere, lest it become a Hindu pakistan which would be disastrous.Listen to Dr., as knowledge is universal and has no national boundaries. Pakistan is a warning to all Indians who think Hindu India is a good idea.

A thoroughly researched and detailed study of the Pakistan State from its fundamental conception to modern times. What went wrong ? And why? What are the multiple causes of its being manipulated by successive governments each promising that utopia of an Islamic State that exists nowhere in the world.Dr Pervaiz Hudbhoy is at his best.His scientific method of analysis, clairvoyance and evidence based research of 800 plus documents brings great insight and light to the obscure reality that ordinary Pakistanis have been forced to believe and live in.Nevertheless, there can be ways out of this quagmire in the 21st century if Pakistan wants to survive the total economic, social, political and moral bankruptcy and is willing to face the challenges head on. Dr Hoodbhoy sincerely believes it may be the only chance left. The trouble is, national passion plays and 75year old habits die hard. What lies ahead is far from any crystal ball reading mantra anymore.A must read book to self educate and understand how not to be manipulated by communal story telling.