Mujahid Hussain traces the roots of the compressive sociopolitical, economic, and moral degradation faced by Pakistan at individual, societal, governmental, and state levels. This book presents sharp images of conceptual confusions, policy decisions, and priorities that set Pakistan on a downward slide. It relates how a newlyacquired state ideology (religion) is overlaid on an imperfect democracy in order to achieve a utopia. The ideology, however, paved the way for dictatorship while suppressing cultural and religious diversity, right to express and constitutional guarantees such as equality before law. Besides, the ideology necessitated indoctrination while creating ghost enemies that validated disproportionate defence expenditures at the cost of education, health, and housing. The resort to ideology could not build even the moral fibre of the individual or society, which was soon distinguished as one of the most corrupt among nations.

This book gives short narrations of the culture of the corruption and impunity that seeped into different sectors of state and society including journalism, politics, and the armed forces. The short description of the mindboggling corruption of two leading politicians and two army generals gives a glimpse of the real size of the iceberg. The grand deception in the name of higher ideals strengthened, patronised, and protected terrorism within Pakistan and across the borders.

This book draws a scary picture of a country that is struggling on the verge of economic default, social disintegration, diplomatic isolation and a civil war like situation in which thousands of terrorists have been replanted. The state seems to have surrendered its writ against armed militias and the political leadership is too divided and shortsighted to steer the country out of the multiple crises threatening its very existence.