Pakistan's history is deeply connected to the broader narrative of the Indian subcontinent and its struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Prior to independence, the region was a tapestry of various cultures and religions, with significant Hindu and Muslim populations coexisting under British rule.

The push for independence in India gained momentum in the early 20th century. Key figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru led a largely unified struggle against British rule, advocating for a secular India where all religions could coexist. However, as the movement progressed, deep-seated religious tensions surfaced.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the leader of the All-India Muslim League, emerged as a prominent voice advocating for a separate nation for Muslims. Jinnah and his supporters feared that Muslims would be marginalized in a predominantly Hindu India. This led to the formulation of the Two-Nation Theory, which argued for separate nations based on religious majorities.

The British, faced with growing unrest and the complexities of governing a diverse and divided population, eventually decided to leave the subcontinent. In 1947, the Indian Independence Act was passed, leading to the creation of two separate states: predominantly Hindu India and Muslim-majority Pakistan.

This partition was marked by widespread violence and one of the largest mass migrations in human history, as millions of Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs crossed borders to join their chosen nation. The communal violence that erupted during this period left deep scars on both India and Pakistan.