More than half a century after the state of Pakistan was carved out of the Indian subcontinent, the topic of this book is very much a live issue. Most Pakistanis would like to know how precisely (or imperfectly) they are following the path that was marked out by those who gave them their homeland. At an international seminar held at Villanova University, Pennsylvania, thirteen eminent Pakistani and American scholars analysed political, economic and military developments since the creation of the country in 1947. This book is a product of that event. There is forthright discussion of many fundamental problems, including the military’s relations with political leaders, and its role in the political process. In addition to geopolitical imperatives and Pakistan’s interaction with the major powers, economic and constitutional issues have also been highlighted. Last, but not least, Pakistan’s emergence as a nuclear power and its troubled relations with India have been thoroughly analysed. Pakistan: Founders’ Aspirations and Today’s Realities is neither indictment nor eulogy but a sober, realistic assessment of the country’s successes and failures. The book offers invaluable insights into the workings of Pakistan’s political system. It deserves to be read not only by specialists and interested individuals, but also by policy makers and leaders of opinion.
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