Women, Islam, and the State in Pakistan.

In this paper, I outline the history of Pakistan?s experience with ?Islamic? laws and their impact on women and trace some of the links between the state, nationalism, religion, and women?s organizations in shaping women?s lives in Pakistan. I focus mainly on the influence of General Zia ul-Haq?s reign in fostering and reinforcing certain detrimental ideologies and policies regarding women. I argue that a close examination of the state, nationalism, the search for cultural authenticity in post-colonial nations, and the struggles and dilemmas of women?s activism in Muslim cultures are all central to advancing the discussion on women in Islam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]