Daily Times

Identity crisis in Pakistan was attributed to the state’s inability to play a neutral role by a columnist, Khursheed Nadeem, on Tuesday.

He was part of a panel at a daylong discussion, titled, “Coexistence with Multiple Identities,” organised by Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS).

The participants stated that citizens look towards the state to set the tune of interaction with each other. However, the state’s inability to stay neutral while dealing with plural identities was said to lead to mistrust and, at times, conflict.

To avoid conflicts, the state should promote inclusivity towards each and every group, they added.

The event was marked with the presence of experts, academics, lawyers, and social scientists from central and northern Punjab.

PIPS Director, Muhammad Amir Rana, moderated the concluding session.

Participants argued that identity referred to what one thought of oneself.

It was called a tag and a distinctive characteristic of an individual or group; which could change when connected to a new identity.

“It is not a permanent thing”, they noted, pointing to a sense of “historical continuation” in identity.

Nadeem added, identity gives a sense of self-existence.

Participants argued that the guiding principles shaping someone’s identity are constitution, religion and curriculum.

Yet, whenever the issue of identity is discussed, the problem of identity crisis reared its head.

The columnist said state’s inability to remain neutral was why some groups believed that it was allied to one.

Being the custodian of identities in the country, he suggested, the state allowed local identities to flourish, which will also address conflicts in society.

Participants widely discussed the role of the state, religion, and culture in the identity crisis of Pakistan, its impact on youth and the social contract of Pakistan.

Many asserted that having a certain identity itself could be a problem. When it comes to an identity crisis in the country, they maintained, it was linked to poor governance, educational system and political economy. Similarly, tensions between individual and state also resulted in an identity crisis. Imbalance in social power structure also caused an identity crisis, they asserted.

One of the manifestations of identity crisis was conflict among different identities. Otherwise, it was said, that there should be a healthy competition.

It is because of this crisis that violence is bred, and people are unable to express themselves openly.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s Secretary General, Harris Khalique, said the state’s structural problems could not be solved without addressing its economic problems.

Participants further suggested that the Constitution should provide a level playing field to promote inclusivity for multiple identities in Pakistan.

Diversity in the country should be accepted to address this crisis.