Religion and Politics in Pakistan: a historical analysis of Islamization

Abstract

Since inception of Pakistan, there is a very important liaison between religion and politics which reveal a historical perspective of Islamization in Pakistan. Islamization efforts consist of various religio-political and socioeconomic notions and the role of political and religious parties and leadership is significant with regard to this ideological transition in society. Majority of governments deliberately exploited Islam in their political ideologies to secure personal goals which swayed the social structure of Pakistan. This article made an attempt to review historical background contributed in this national incongruity and an insight to this multi-perspective challenging notion of Islamization. It is evident from previous researches, how military exploits Islam as a tool to obtain extra constitutional powers and to change political structure of the state. Sectarian parties firmed their feet in political structure and they were conciliated through politicization of religion by different governments resulting in feeble unity and put society at greater risk of extremism and Talibanization. Such radical forces kept flourishing and lead to radicalism and terrorism. Since 72 years of inception, the vision of a Democratic Islamic state is still in wait to be true as it is a dream interrupted by the self-interested autocratic and religiopolitical leadership.