Is Pakistan an ideological state? Is there a particular sectarian point of view which dominates the debate on ideology? These questions are critically examined in this book. The orthodox views on sacred laws of Islam are discussed in order to establish the context for the topic. To further elaborate the argument, the author focuses on issues such as zakat, the rules of conduct for the individual and family, as well as income distribution and foreign trade. Pakistan's official name—The Islamic Republic of Pakistan—defines the authority that is vested in it for decision-making powers on behalf of its citizens. As a republic, it has a democratic, formal structure in which people have the right to determine who would govern their affairs through free and formal elections. It does not call for the national leaders to be necessarily qualified in Islamic jurisprudence. The country has not, however, found a stable solution to the hybrid mixture underlined in its constitution, which is based on the post-colonial social structure inherited from British rule. These factors together present a serious challenge in shaping its identity as a Muslim nation and a South Asian country, and the political developments which have resulted in civilian rule to be transitory and unstable throughout the history of Pakistan adds an additional dimension to its reality.