Chapter # 1 – Pakistan’s Ideology and its Historical Background

1.2.3. Analyze how Pakistan has been Successful in Implementing the Basic Components of its Ideology.

Guiding Principles of Islam and their Implementation in Pakistan

Component of Pakistan Ideology

The elements comprising the ideology of Islam are also integral to the ideology of Pakistan. These components encompass the sovereignty of Allah, principles of social justice, equality, equity, and brotherhood, as well as democracy and the protection of minority rights.

Implementation

As per the constitution, Pakistan is designated as an Islamic welfare state. The inclusion of the Objectives Resolution of 1949 in the preamble of the state constitution emphasizes the observance to the guiding principles of Islam.

The fundamental objectives of the resolution entail;

• Acknowledgment that sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to Allah, signifying that rulers in Pakistan are entrusted with power as a sacred duty delegated by Allah. Consequently, they are expected to exercise their authority in accordance with Islamic teachings.
• Incorporation of guiding principles of Islam such as democracy, equality, tolerance, freedom, and social justice into the fabric of society. This entails the enactment and enforcement of laws that uphold these Islamic ideals in Pakistan.
• Assurance of safeguarding the rights of minorities, permitting them to freely practice their religion and culture, as well as promote their faith.
• Guarantee of fundamental rights for all citizens under the constitution.
• Establishment of an independent judiciary to uphold justice and rule of law.

Practical Implementation

Despite being enshrined in the constitution, the fundamental tenets of Islam have never been fully realized, either in practice or spirit, due to various reasons. The constitution has been disregarded and undermined by dictators, thereby hindering the development of democracy in the country. Similarly, electoral fraud and the abuse of power have become commonplace in Pakistan.

While minorities theoretically have the right to freely practice their religion and promote their culture, in reality, they often face limited benefits from these provisions. Although they elect representatives through separate electorates, their living conditions remain deplorable. Their places of worship are frequently targeted and vandalized, and incidents of abduction and forced conversions of minority girls are alarmingly common, with little state intervention.

Efforts have been made to provide citizens with necessary facilities, yet nepotism, favoritism, and corruption persist. The poor and deserving are often sidelined, while the incompetent find themselves in influential public positions. Corruption has deeply penetrated society and is unfortunately accepted as a norm.

Economic disparity is another pressing issue in Pakistan, primarily stemming from the unequal distribution of resources among different regions. Consequently, this disparity has fueled regionalism, undermining national unity. Although welfare programs such as the Benazir Support Program, interest-free loans, and various poverty alleviation initiatives exist, they have limited impact in the face of unequal resource distribution.

Causes Contributing to the Failure in Implementing Fundamental Ideological Components:

Political Instability

 Persistent political instability, including frequent changes in government and military interventions, disrupts continuity and undermines efforts to implement ideological principles consistently.

Lack of Political Will

 A lack of genuine commitment from political leaders to prioritize and uphold ideological principles hampers effective implementation.

Corruption and Nepotism:

Widespread corruption and nepotism undermine efforts to implement ideological goals, as resources are often misappropriated and allocated based on personal connections rather than merit or need.

Legal and Institutional Constraints

Legal and institutional frameworks may lack the necessary provisions or enforcement mechanisms to effectively implement ideological components, leading to gaps in implementation.

Socio economic Challenges

 Persistent socioeconomic challenges, including poverty, inequality, and inadequate infrastructure, create barriers to implementing ideological goals such as social justice and equality.

Feudalism

 In Pakistan, a small group of landlords’ controls approximately 98% of the arable land, while peasants toil on these lands, struggling to meet their basic subsistence needs.

Lack of Accountability/Politically Motivated Accountability

There is a notable absence of accountability and oversight across various sectors, with ruling parties often influencing the accountability process. Cases initiated by institutions such as NAB and FIA are frequently tainted by political motivations and rivalries, eroding public trust in these institutions.

Class Differences

 Pakistan’s societal structure is stratified along socio-economic lines, with an elite class comprising approximately two percent of the population enjoying significant privileges and controlling the means of wealth production. This elite class also dominates key sectors such as the military, media, government leadership, and parliament.

Weak Democratic System

Over the years, Pakistan’s political landscape has been overshadowed by the influence of the bureaucracy and military, leading to frequent interference in political affairs and governance. The military has directly ruled Pakistan for a considerable portion of its history, impeding the promotion of democratic values.

Unequal Distribution of Resources

Unequal resource distribution has historically contributed to regional disparities and uneven development in Pakistan. This issue played a significant role in the country’s disintegration in 1971 and continues to hinder progress. For instance, Karachi contributes over 70% of the country’s revenue, yet its development needs have often been neglected. Similarly, while Balochistan provides natural gas to the nation, residents of areas such as Sui lack access to this resource.