Pakistan was the first modern republic to declare itself 'Islamic'. It imagines itself as the Eastern edge of Arab civilisation, when in fact, it is the Western edge of Indian civilisation. No Pakistani can buy land in Saudi Arabia, get a Saudi Arabian passport or marry a Saudi Arabian woman; but still, Pakistanis consider Arabs as 'my people'. They can buy land in America and Europe, get American and European passports, and marry American and European women, but still Americans and Europeans will be outsiders. Thus, religion is privileged over culture.

Pakistan has taught itself to be Pak or 'pure' by hating migrant Muslims from Bihar, and from Bangladesh. It hates Shia Muslims and Sufi Muslims. It seems to weep for Kashmiri Muslims, a cry that is more territorial than religious, for, it is indifferent to the misery of Chinese Muslims.

Americans love Pakistan so long as it hates Iran. In England, Paki is a racial 'slur'. Restaurants serving Pakistani food need to call themselves Indian restaurants. Pakistanis will invariably collaborate with Indians, and vice versa, in foreign lands, provided neither in these two 'desi' pockets raise the topic of Kashmir. This bonhomie bewilders the Israeli, the American and the European no end.