Religion and Politics in Pakistan: The Weaponization of Faith

Abstract

There are many religions in the world and people in different regions practice different religions. Sometimes religious beliefs are exploited to achieve certain selfish interests. Muslim Majority of the subcontinent gained independence in the name of religion and as a result, Pakistan came into being on 14 August 1947. The analysis of religion and politics reveals that the interplay of external and internal forces has contributed to extremism and political sectarianism in Pakistan. From the beginning, the leadership in Pakistan struggled to sustain an ideological foundation based on religion, Islam. The research examines how different factions have deliberately exploited Islam to advance political agendas and vested interests. Moreover, the use of religion as a tool for personal interests has significantly influenced the development and peaceful co-existence of the country. This research not only highlights the role of religion in the politics of Pakistan during post-partition but also in the context of different governments of Pakistan such as the eras of Bhutto and General Zia. Furthermore, during the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and General Zia-ul-Haq religion was part of politics to develop narratives in favor of their governments to consolidate power. Similarly, the policy of Islamization was used to manipulate people’s narratives by the use of religion. The post-9/11 era witnessed the repercussions on the political fabric of society due to the intensification of radical forces and the surge in regional and extra-regional actors. The recent incident in Parachinar also highlighted the challenges Pakistan is facing due to the complex interplay between religion and politics. Over the past 76 years of independence, the vision of a Democratic Islamic Republic remains vague. This research attempts to study the complex relationship between religion and politics and the ongoing challenges faced by Pakistan from multiple perspectives so that one can find ways forward.