Since its creation in 1947, the basis of Pakistan polity has caused endless controversy regarding its ideological foundations. The discussion has been articulated in terms of a God versus a state based on sovereignty of the people. Ishtiaq Ahmed here sets out nine positions or 'theories'. The concept of ideology is utilized to analyse the discussion and a three-step method of qualitative content analysis is devised to conduct the investigation. These modes of reasoning are compared systematically with one another with particular attention given to the concept of an Islamic state as a political ideology and its compatibility with modern Western democracy.