In a recent video, leftist rag The Wire journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani strongly argued that Pakistan cannot and should not recognise Israel. Her reasoning was simple: Pakistan is an ideological state created in the name of Islam.
“Pakistan has completely rejected it, because if you see, the very creation of Pakistan is that of an ideological state – it is based on Islamic theology,” she said.
She went further. According to her, Pakistan’s support for Palestine is not just a foreign-policy choice but part of its ideological DNA. She pointed out that Pakistan’s official position since 1947 has been that Israel will not be recognised until an independent Palestinian state is created. She even highlighted how Pakistani passports traditionally carried the words “Valid for all countries except Israel.”
Pakistan is an ideological state. It was created on the principles of Islam, and it should not deviate from it. It should not give recognition to Israel since it’s against Islamic principles
– Arfa KhanumShe wants Pakistan to remain Islamic, but India should be secular pic.twitter.com/putrp6QK3Q
— The Chronology (@TheChronology__) May 29, 2026
There is nothing surprising in this argument. Pakistan was indeed created through the Two-Nation Theory and has always described itself as an Islamic republic.
What is exposed once again is the hypocrisy of who is making the argument.
For years, Sherwani and her ilk have criticised any discussion of India’s civilisational identity. References to Hindu civilisation, cultural nationalism or India’s majority traditions are often dismissed as dangerous, divisive or contrary to secularism.
But when it comes to Pakistan, suddenly religion becomes a perfectly acceptable basis for state policy.
Sherwani openly says Pakistan must remain faithful to its Islamic foundations. She argues that Pakistan cannot compromise its “fundamental ideology.” She says ordinary Pakistanis, religious parties, civil society groups and the media would all oppose recognition of Israel because it goes against the country’s Islamic character.
If that logic is valid for Pakistan, why is a different standard applied to India?
Why is it acceptable for Pakistan to shape foreign policy around Islamic theology, but unacceptable for India to discuss policies through the lens of its own civilisational heritage?
Sherwani’s comments reveal a contradiction that often goes unnoticed. On one hand, Pakistan’s religious identity is treated as natural and legitimate. On the other hand, India is expected to operate under an interpretation of secularism where even acknowledging its majority civilisational roots attracts criticism.
The issue here is not Israel or Palestine. Nor is it whether Pakistan should change its position.
The issue is consistency.
If Pakistan can proudly remain an ideological state founded on Islam, defend that identity and shape policy around it, then commentators should at least be honest about applying the same standards everywhere.
You cannot argue that Pakistan must stay true to its Islamic ideology while insisting that India must completely disconnect itself from its own civilisational identity.
Either national identity matters, or it does not. The rule cannot change depending on which side of the border you happen to be discussing.
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