The Role Of Religion In The Political System Of Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan being the outcome of the Freedom Movement of 80 million Muslims of
united India will hardly see a minimized role of Islam in its legal, constitutional and
political system. Islam ha been used as a legitimacy of rule, as a shield for elites’
survival, as a tool of state identity, as a weapon of state integrity and has structured the
constitutions of the state. However, the religious political parties, except the 2002
general elections, have never effectively shown their presence in the parliament. They
have always acted as pressure groups in the making or unmaking of the governments and
have strongly supported Zia for financial quid pro quo. Instead religion as a tool of
attaining political objectives has been successfully utilized by the non-religious parties.
The study highlights the instrumental role of Islam in the constitutional and political
history of Pakistan; portrays the track record of the religious parties and their
interactions with the military and national political parties. It also highlights Zia’s motto
behind Islamization process.