Sufism is not Pakistani phenomena but it is worldwide human phenomena that started from time of Adam (AS). One can say that Sufism is result of spirituality in humans. Sufism is part of Islam just like worshiping Allah, realisation that Allah is creator of everything, and accepting that worldly life is temporary abode of human souls on material world. Sufis are those who detach themselves from material world to concentrate on Allah and spiritual world. Reason is simple, that is:
Those who are deeply attached to material world and its affairs, they could never have soul in rest (Mutma-inna soul), as such attachment creates in them needs, associations, wants, desires, struggles, fears, greed, anger, jealousies, deceits, back-biting, lying, corruption, and many evils related to this material world. Right and wrong does not matter to such souls.
Those who get themselves completely detached from material world and its affairs, they have soul in rest (Mutma-inna soul), as such detachment make them lose needs, associations, wants, desires, struggles, fears, greed, anger, jealousies, deceits, back-biting, lying, corruption, and all evils related to this material world. For them, only important is their spiritual well being and closeness to God. Knowing that it is Allah who gives and takes, they stay completely ‘in content with’ (Mutma-in) what they have or have not.
Obviously, attainment of detachment with worldly affairs is relative, as human souls have wide spectrum of state. On one extreme are people who have deep attachment with material world (such people are worse than animals) and on other extreme are people who have no attachment at all (such people are just like ‘dead’ as far as this material world is concerned). Most humans are in between these two extremes.
In Quran Allah has divided human soul (nafs) in 3 categories.
1: Al-Ammara soul:
12:53 Wama obarri-o nafsee inna an-nafs al-aammara tun bissoo-i illa ma rahimarabbee inna rabbee ghafoorun raheem
12:53 “Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human) soul is certainly prone to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”
Al-Ammara souls are sensual creatures. They are attracted to worldly pleasures, be that pleasure good or evil, without restraints of right or wrong. Regardless of their religion or beliefs, most human souls are in this category. For them, they are not to be blamed for anything but only others are to be blamed. People become their victims for various reasons, from religion, sect, nationality, wealth, greed, power, pride (izzat), or whatever. There is wide spectrum amongst them. At one extreme are souls that are no better than beast (wahshi) and then there are souls reaching the first stage of Al-Lawwama soul.
2: Al-Lawwama soul:
75:2 Wala oqsimu bin-nafsi al-lawwama
75:2 And I do call to witness the self-reproaching (self-accusing) soul
Al-lawwama souls are those who do wrong and evil but regret and blame themselves for their wrongs and evils. They try to shun bad in them and ask forgiveness for their wrongs. There is wide spectrum amongst them. One could be in transition from Al-Ammara soul and other could be at stage touching Al-Mutma-inna soul.
3: Al-Mutma-inna soul:
89:27 Ya ayyatuha an-nafsu al-mutma-inna
89:27 (To the righteous soul will be said) "O (thou) soul, in (complete) rest and satisfaction!
These people are detached from materialistic world and its affairs. They are people who only look towards spiritual world and closeness to God as their goal. Even though there is wide spectrum amongst them, one thing in common is that they are content (Mutma-in) with what they have and what they have not. Hence in Quran they are called Mutma-inna soul.
True Sufis are people who have Mutma-inna soul, regardless of whatever tariqat they follow. They know true essence of spirituality. Some Sufis live their life in isolation and die unnoticed. Some Sufis from whom Allah wants to take work get on lime light.
[Rasul-Allah (SAW) detached himself from material world and its affairs when he started going to ‘Gar-e-Hira’ after marriage. That is different matter that as being Prophet on duty, he had to get involved with worldly affairs later in life.
Same happened when Musa (AS) left Egypt to ‘Sinai desert’ (according to Jews, to Midian across Sinai) and got himself disassociated from material world for number of years. That is different matter that since he was prophet, he had to get involved with worldly affairs in his later life.]