Put simply, religion has failed Pakistan.  The book not only tells the reader about Bengali nationalism that had resulted in East Pakistan breaking away from West Pakistan but also presents a detailed account of separatist tendencies in Sindhi, Pashtun and Baluch speaking areas. Its thesis is that the decline in their growth shows the integrative capacity of power.

A series of colloquium, which were held by established scholars between 1997 and 1999 at the Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches Internationales in Paris is the base of the book.

While on “Punjabization of Pakistan” Ian Talbot writes about the opposition and resentment Punjabisation has evokes in the country. He however doesn’t share the general perception that Punjabiyat has homogeneity and argues that the faultlines based on class and regional forces and even religion are deep. South Punjab will like to break away from Lahore domination any day. .

Mohajir movement and the craving of Mohajirs to be accepted as equal partners in the development of Pakistan, the Shia-Sunni divide,  Islamisation promoted by Gen Zia-ul-Haq,  Jihadi culture and its patronage by ISI to serve foreign and military policy goals are examined analytically if not clinically.

Olivier Roy and Gilles Dorronsoro examine the relationship between Pakistan and the Taliban and highlight the way Pakistan has been using Islamist groups to further its strategic interests.