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The writer holds PhD in Administrative Sciences and teaches at the University of Plymouth, UK. Email: zeb.khan@plymouth.ac.uk
Is religion a force for national development, or does it stand in the way of progress? This question continues to divide public discourse across continents. Some see religion as the bedrock of moral order and social cohesion, while others view it as an anchor that drags societies away from science, freedom and innovation. The truth lies somewhere in between – but much depends on how religion is interpreted, institutionalised and made to interact with modern statecraft.
To understand this complex dynamic, a comparison between Israel and Pakistan – both created in the mid-20th century on religious identity – proves instructive. While both nations declared religion central to their national purpose, their contrasting developmental paths offer a compelling case study in how religion can either coexist with progress or become entangled in paralysing contradictions and unresolved paradoxes.
Israel defines itself as a “Jewish state”. But that identity is not theocratic in nature. Its founders were largely secular Zionists who envisioned a homeland where Jews could live safely after centuries of persecution, not a state ruled by rabbis or governed by religious law. Today, Israel is one of the most innovative nations in the world, leading in AI, cybersecurity, medical technology and defence industries. It spends over 5% of its GDP on R&D – more than any other country. Much of this innovation is rooted not in religious seminaries, but in elite military units, secular universities and government-backed startup ecosystems.
What role, then, does religion play in Israel’s development? Largely symbolic and cultural. Judaism provides the national ethos and moral imagination – used to unite a diverse immigrant population and justify the state’s historical claim to the land. But it does not dictate economic, scientific or foreign policy. In fact, ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jewish communities, who resist secular education and military service, are often criticised for being economically unproductive. The success of Israel is not a religious miracle; it is the outcome of secular governance, strategic planning and relentless investment in human capital.
Now compare that to Pakistan, created as a homeland for Muslims of South Asia. Like Israel, it defined its national identity in religious terms. But unlike Israel, Pakistan soon fell into a crisis of purpose: was it to be a moderate Muslim democracy, or an Islamic theocracy? This unresolved tension continues to shape its politics, economy and international image. Over time, religious rhetoric seeped deeper into law, education and foreign policy – culminating in blasphemy laws, sectarian violence and intolerance toward minorities and dissent.
Despite its vast potential, Pakistan struggles with poor education outcomes, low innovation indices and high levels of poverty and inequality. Instead of using religion to inspire ethical leadership or national unity, it has often been deployed to silence critics, marginalise communities and divert attention from structural failures.
The same religion that once inspired a civilisation of learning is now used to curtail critical thinking in many parts of the Muslim world. The Qur’anic call to “reflect”, “ponder” and “seek knowledge” is drowned out by slogans and sectarian divides. While Israel sends rockets to space and invents medical nanotech, Pakistan is still debating what science is permissible under faith.
This is not to say religion is incompatible with development. When religion inspires ethical commitment, social solidarity and service to humanity, it can be a powerful force for good. But when it is weaponised to gain power, suppress dissent or resist change, it becomes a roadblock to progress. The difference lies not in the religion itself, but in how it is mobilised and managed by political elites and religious institutions.
The key lesson is not that religion should be abandoned, but that it must be kept in balance with reason, science and good governance. Pakistan’s challenge is not religious identity per se, but the failure to evolve a coherent model where faith and modernity can coexist without mutual sabotage. In the final analysis, religion can help a nation develop, but only when it is grounded in compassion, knowledge and openness.
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