Submitted to: Sir Manzoor Elahi

Submitted by: Faris Ali Ahmed

741R-Phil-16
Title: Towards Secular Pakistan
Political Science Assignment
Table Of Content:
 Introduction
 Influence of Religion in policy making
 Pakistani version Muslim Brotherhood
 Constitutional Drawbacks
 Role of Madrassas
 Blowbacks of past policies
 Steps Towards Establishing a Secular Pakistan:
 Conclusion
INTRODUCTION:
Pakistan is country which has been created in the name of religion. But there is
one thing we should understand though Pakistan may have been created in the
name of Islamic identity but that does not mean it is exclusively for muslims.
Majority of its population are Muslims. Other religions like Christianity and
Hinduism are also practiced. Religion has a great influence in social and political
scenario of Pakistan. Islam surely once used to be a unifying force in the creation
of Pakistan but concerning the contemporary situation of Pakistan, it should be a
secular state. Pakistan’s social, economical and political structure are facing
serious challenges by religious extremist elements. We have to go through the
past and present role of religion and the ideas that are deeply penetrated in
Pakistani society a, Which have been creating chaos in Pakistani society and
generates ways to secularize Pakistan.

Factors which justify the secularization of Pakistan:

Influence of Religion in policy making:
Religious fanatics are using religion as a tool to create unrest in the country.
In the past, we have many examples when the religious extremist leaders
threatened the law and order in the country. For instance, recently
religious parties like Tehreek-e-Labbaik and as such parties which share
same ideology protested against the supreme court verdict in Asia bibi case
and created unrest in the entire country. And eventually Government was
was forced to do agreement with them. Same way mass protest was
aroused in the country by these religious groups against the inclusion of
Atif Mian (a recognized economist) in Economic Advisory Council just he
belongs to Ahmedi sect, and eventually the government stepped back form
the taken decision and asked Atif Mian to Resign. Consequently, this thing
justifies that Pakistan under current Islamic principalities is not suitable for
minorities because they are deprived of their fundamental rights and
government has failed to provide them safety and the only way forward is
secular Pakistan , where religion is just individual’s concern.
Pakistani version Muslim Brotherhood:

Muslim brotherhood is undoubtedly a great concept. In the Past

before the concept of Nation-State system there was dire need of unity
amongst the Muslims all around the world. But talking ’bout the
contemporary world, it is 21st century and everyone is bound into nation-
state system where nothing else but personal interests of nation matters.
In Such a world Pakistanis despite of all the odds try to synchronize their
history with Muslim invaders like Muhammad bin Qasim , Tariq Bin Ziyad
and declare them as their National Heroes. Such depiction of history in
Pakistani course books is very lethal for this society. This is the reason due
to which Pakistan sacrifices her personal interests when it comes to muslim
brotherhood. Saudi Arabia from where the Islam originated has diplomatic
ties with Israel while Pakistan has cutoff her diplomatic relationships just
because of muslim brotherhood. When we prefer our own interests over
any other country’s interest whether that be muslim or nonmuslim country
then a prosperous Pakistan can be constructed, which is only possible in
secular Pakistan.
Constitutional Drawbacks:
It is stated in the constitution of Pakistan that,
A Muslim to be a President and Prime Minister
The constitution laid down that only Muslims shall be elected president and
Prime Minister of Pakistan. No non-Muslim could hold these offices.
This is a chaotic argument which can lead Pakistan towards a civil war in
future. There was no need of mentioning this in constitution. Pakistan is a
democratic country where majority is Muslim which means that whoever
Muslims want in power can come. So if there is a non-muslin which comes
to power by the will of the people of Pakistan then there is nothing wrong
in it.
Role of Madrassas:
Madrassas have played a very significant role in building the mindset of
those youths which are deprived of western education. As the main focus
of madrassas are promoting Islamic knowledge and this Islamic knowledge
are reconstructed by those religious extremist groups who use these youth
in achieving their personal interests. Most of the madrassas in Pakistan are
funded by Saudi Arabia and Iran. Iranian Madrassas promote Shia school of
thought and the Saudi Madrassas promote Sunni school of thought and
eventually lead towards sectarian riots. In the past we have also witnessed
madrassas turning into militant camps where youths were used by the
banned organizations. Neutralization of madrassas is utterly important for
prosperous Pakistan. This is only possible in secular Pakistan.
Blowbacks of past policies:
All the current situation of Pakistan is due to the wrong policies Pakistan
adapted and now they have blown backed. This starts from the Islamization
in Zia’s regime, formation of mujahedeen by Pakistan, as such.
Mujahedeen’s were trained by Pakistan and funded by USA to vacate
Afghanistan from USSR. They were successful but they made them strong
that these mujahedeen blow backed and led to a strong base in
Afghanistan and in modern day we name them as Taliban. For three and
half decades they have been creating unrest in the entire region.
In the future for the peace in the region a secular Pakistan is crucial and
effective.
Steps Towards Establishing a Secular Pakistan:
 Implementation of New Academic Discourses Based On Unbiased Ideas.
 Guaranteeing Freedom of Speech
 Guaranteeing Freedom of Press
 Nationalization of Educational Institutions
 New constitution for a secular Pakistan.
 Religious extremist groups should be banned.
 Political Parties Based on Religious motives should be banned.
CONCLUSION:
All the steps suggested above are surely not practically possible by REFORMS as
Pakistan is a country which is created upon Islamic Ideology and this ideology
provides enough space to the religion to keep on interfering in state policies. But
this does not mean it is impossible. It is only possible under a revolution. That
revolution will surely take time, years maybe decades. The point is there is dire
need of secular Pakistan concerning current situation of Pakistan.