Islam and the Politics of Secularism in Pakistan

Abstract

In terms of their political and ideological success, Pakistani Islamists have had several ups and downs since Pakistan became the Islamic Republic in 1956. Islamists strive to safeguard the Islamic state’s status quo while simultaneously expanding the reach of Sharia. Despite insignificant electoral victories, Islamists have largely been able to dictate national identity policies to civilian and military governments. A major hurdle to the promotion of pluralism in Pakistan is noticeable through persistent opposition to secularism by major political actors. Despite different political ideologies, major political parties refrain from promoting secularism in Pakistan; however, such views are more rigid in the case of Islamists. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to examine and compare the discourses of Islamists and other political parties in relation to Pakistan’s identity, reforms and anti-Westernism, religious minorities, and secularism. Based on the analysis, this paper argues that the views of Islamists and non-religious political parties are very similar regarding Islam and Pakistan’s identity, secularism, and minority rights in Pakistan.

Women’s Participation in Politics and Decision-Making Process of Pakistan: Challenges and Barriers

“…The law further states that the ECP may assume that women were prevented from voting by a local agreement if the female voter turnout remained below ten per cent. According to Article 51 of the Constitution, reserved seats for women in the House of Representatives are discussed in Section 18 (1). In Section 47, it is emphasized that special steps must be taken to increase the number of women registered to vote.…”