In Pakistan, the political use of Islam by the state promoted an aggressive competition for official patronage between and within the many variations of Sunni and Shia Islam, between the clerical elites of major sects and sub-sects. The focus on building an ideological state has undoubtedly affected Pakistan negatively in all areas that define a functional modern state.    Pakistan’s government, its society and the military, are at ideological crossroads.

How do address the questions of terrorism, radicalism and violence? What are the major challenges?

About the Series
As a part of its ongoing project titled "Indo-Pak dialogue on Conflict Resolution and Peace Building," the Institute is publishing a series of background papers on various Indo-Pak bilateral issues. Besides, the Institute is also organizing track-II dialogue between the two countries in October 2009 in Bangkok.

For more information about this project, kindly visit the IPCS website, or click http://www.ipcs.org/projects_details.php?pages_id=43

Related Publications
Terrorism, Religious Radicalism and Violence: Perspectives from India
Devyani Srivastava
http://www.ipcs.org/publications_special_details.php?recNo=304&pT=1

Evolving an Indo-Pak Strategy in Afghanistan: Perspectives from India
Raghav Sharma
http://www.ipcs.org/publications_special_details.php?recNo=302&pT=1

Enhancing Indo-Pak Trade: Perspectives from India
Pia Malhotra
http://www.ipcs.org/publications_special_details.php?recNo=303&pT=1