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'Pakistani nationalism refers to the political, cultural and religious expression of patriotism by peoples of Pakistan,of pride in the History,Culture and heritage of Pakistan and visions for its future. It also refers to the consciousness and expression of religious and ethnic influences that help mould the national consciousness.

Nationalism describes the many underlying forces that moulded the Pakistan movement and strongly continue to influence the politics of Pakistan.

From a political point of view and in the years leading up to the Partition of India, the particular political and ideological foundations for the actions of the Muslim League can be called a Pakistani nationalist ideology. It is a unique and singular combination of philosophical, nationalistic, cultural and religious elements.

The history of Pakistan and the region in which it now lies is a source of great pride to Pakistani nationalists. They take pride in its achievements and its leaders.

Pakistani nationalists assert that Pakistan is the successor state of Islamic empires and kingdoms that ruled the region for almost a combined period of one millennium, the empires and kingdoms in order are Abbasid, Ghaznavid Empire, Muhammad of Ghor|Ghorid Kingdom, Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire.

Pakistan today celebrates numerous Muslim kings and emperors for wars of "liberation" and "emancipation" such as Muhammad bin Qasim(not a king or emperor, but the commander of the first Muslim force sent to what was then known as Sindh),Muhammad of Ghaur,Mahmud of Ghazni(who defeated the Hindu king Prithviraj Chauhan), Aurangzeb Alamgir and Tipu Sultan who fought the British.

However, few, if any, of the Kings mentioned above belonged to the region comprising modern day Pakistan. Pakistan as a region was lorded over by either Hindu/Sikh Kingdoms or Muslim invaders from Afghanistan, Persia before the British Empire.

The first Mughal emperor Babur wrote in the,"Baburnama",that Hindustan is a place of little charm. There is no beauty in its people, no graceful social intercourse, no poetic talent or understanding, no etiquette, nobility or manliness. The arts and crafts have no harmony or symmetry. There are no good horses, meat, grapes, melons or other fruit. There is no ice, cold water, good food or bread in the markets. There are no baths and no madrasas. There are no candles, torches or candlesticks.

The comments made by the Emperor Babur, echo in the slightest terms the disparaging and often hateful opinion that some Pakistani nationalists have towards Hindustan and in particular to Hindus. Pakistani nationalists believe they, as Muslims, are not referred to in this quote, as most Pakistanis believe themselves to be aligned to the Mughals as opposed to the Hindu or Sikh resistance.

Sirsyed Ahmed khan promoted Western style education in Muslim society, seeking to uplift Muslims in the economic and political life of British India.He founded the Aligarh Muslim Univerity.

Allama Muhammad Iqbal is considered a major influence on Pakistani pride for embracing the concept which is reflected in Iqbal's descriptions of ego, self and renewal for Muslim civilization. He emphasized upon the spiritual richness of Islam and Islamic philosophy.

Sir Muhammad Iqbal the conceptual founder of Pakistan is venerated by Pakistani and Muslim nationalists for implicitly endorsing the incompatibility of Muslims with other religious communities.

Pakistani nationalists applaud Iqbal's vision for a Muslim state as specifically implying the denunciation of Hindus and Hinduism.

Iqbal is widely credited for his work in encouraging the political rejuvenation and empowerment of Muslims, and as a great poet not only in India and Pakistan, but also in Iran and Muslim nations in the Middle East.

"There is only one way out. Muslims should strengthen Jinnah's hands. They should join the Muslim League. Indian question, as is now being solved, can be countered by our united front against both the Hindus and the English. Without it, our demands are not going to be accepted. People say our demands smack of communalism. This is sheer propaganda. These demands relate to the defence of our national existence. ... The united front can be formed under the leadership of the Muslim League. And the Muslim League can succeed only on account of Jinnah. Now none but Jinnah is capable of leading the Muslims."

The name Pakistan also provides pride of nationalists, while it was based on the names of regions, the word Pak in Persian denotes pure, thus Pakistan was called the Land of the Pure.

Urdu continues to be Pakistan's national language but has undergone considerable changes over the years acquiring a particularly 'Pakistani flavour' with the incorporation of more and more grammar and prose from Pakistan's many indigenous languages (eg. Pashto, Panjabi, Sindhi, Balochi etc.)

Pakistan has many shrines, sights, sounds and symbols that have significance to Pakistani nationalists. These include the Shrines of Political leaders of pre-independence and post-independence Pakistan, Shrines of Religious leaders and Saints, The Shrines of Imperial leaders of various Islamic Empires and Dynasties, as well as national symbols and sounds of Pakistan.