Main challenges to nationhood in Pakistan have been identified at a seminar on "Pakistan: Challenges of Nationhood," organised by the Punjab University's Pakistan Study Centre.
Weak institutions, dependence on individuals, absence of strong and well-organised political parties, illiteracy, alienation of common man from decision-making process, extremism, regionalism and tension between the federation and provinces have been identified as main challenges.
The Director of Pakistan Study Centre, Karachi University, Professor Dr Sayed Jaffer Ahmad, in his address said: "Pakistan came into being as a result of political struggle and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah wanted to improve the lot of the poor and downtrodden.
"His charismatic leadership transformed Muslims into a nation in the sub-continent. "The struggle not only resulted in freedom from the British, but also divided India," he said. "Separate electorate was not part and parcel of Jinnah's concept of a nation, but his main concern was the achievement of the legal rights of Muslim minority," he added.
"The Quaid-e-Azam did not believe in the supremacy of any particular religion and gave the concept of a nation while talking about people belonging to different religions in his address to the constituent assembly," he claimed.