The Political

System of
Pakistan

Political and Religious

positions
Presented by Frances Hill and Amanda Bailey

Brief History of Pakistan

Pakistan was first established
as an independent nation on
August 14 in 1947.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder
of Pakistan, emphasised the
importance of Islam.

Religious composition of
Pakistan
97% Muslim
77% Sunni-Muslim
20% Shi-a-Muslim
Remaining 3% Christian, Hindu,
Sikh or other beliefs.

Government of
Pakistan

Government of Pakistan

Presidential Power
President acts on advice of
Prime Minister
May adopt absolute power to
dissolve National Assembly,
according to the 8th
Amendment of the constitution.

Islam in Government
Increased involvement of Islam in
the Pakistani Government since
1984 Referendum
Enforcement of Sharia or Islamic
Law since 1985
Assessment by the Shariat/Islamic
Court regarding federal laws

Military in Government
The Military long standing force in
Pakistani politics
The President General Pervez
Musharraf was never elected, came
to power after a military take-over of
government in 1999
Resigned as Army Chief of Staff in
November 2007

Kashmir
Regarding Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
accords with UN Security Council
Resolutions
developments and changes are to be made
according to the will of the Kashmiri people

Pakistan is willing to take a bilateral

approach with India in order to begin
constructive dialogues regarding Jammu &
Kashmir.

Defence
President Musharraf (2008) says
Pakistan is a peaceful country, but a
strong national defence is important in
maintaining peace.
Musharraf (2008) maintains an
adequate defence force in Pakistan is
necessary to defend the country and to
support its economic development.

Pakistans foreign policy

Pakistans foreign policy as proclaimed by Quaid-eAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, to the people of the USA
in February 1948:

Our foreign policy is one of friendliness and

goodwill towards the nations of the world. We do not
cherish aggressive designs against any country or
nation. We believe in the principle of honesty and fair
play in national and international dealings and are
prepared to make our utmost contribution to the
promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations
of the world. Pakistan will never be found lacking in
extending its material and moral support to the
oppressed and suppressed peoples of the world, and in
upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter.
(Muhammad Ali Jinnah 1948, in Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2008a)

Five Principals of Friendly Coexistence

Mutual respect for the independence,
sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity
and national identity of all nations;
The right of every state to lead its national
existence free from external interference,
subversion or coercion;
Non-interference in the internal affairs of
one another;
Settlement of differences or disputes by
peaceful means; and the
Renunciation of the threat or use of force;

(<http://www.aseansec.org>)

Member organisations
United Nations;
Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC);
South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC); and the
Economic Cooperation Organisation
(ECO);
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2007, p.1)

2007 Foreign Affairs

In spite of turmoil and insecurity in
Pakistan 2002-7
State remained focused on:
Promotion of regional and international
peace and security
Economic and social development of the
country
Welfare of its people.

Maintained and improved relations with

neighbors and major world powers
(Kasuri 2007, p.3)

Negotiations & Actions

2006-7

Joined the international coalition against terrorism

Initiated dialogue with India regarding Kashmir
dispute
Supported initiatives and contributed to
reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan
Deployed forces to counter extremism on the
border between Afghanistan and Pakistans tribal
areas
Deepened relations with the US
dismantled the AQ Khan network in Pakistan
Maintained and developed ongoing relations with
China, Iran, Russia and Japan
Maintained close relations with their brotherly
Islamic countries including Turkey and special
relations with Gulf countries in particular with
Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE)
(Kasuri 2007, p.3-4).

Religion in Pakistan
politics

(www.utdallas.edu)

(www.infopak.gov.pk)

Islam in constitution
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
1973, Preamble states:
Whereas sovereignty over the entire universe
belongs to Almighty Allah alone, and the authority
to be exercised by the people of Pakistan within
the limits prescribed by Him is a sacred trust
Wherein the principles of democracy, freedom,
equality, tolerance and social justice, as
enunciated by Islam, shall be fully observed
Wherein the Muslims shall be enabled to order
their lives in the individual and collective spheres
in accordance with the teachings and requirements
of Islam as set out in the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
(<www.pakistanconstitution-law.com>)

Constitution Articles pertaining

to Islam
Article 31: relates to supporting the Muslims of
Pakistan in the Islamic way of life.
the provision of facilities; and
the compulsory teaching of the Holy Quran and
Sunnah, as a means of promoting unity and the
observance of Islamic moral standards.

Article 40: relates to the strengthening of bonds

with other Muslim countries based on Islamic unity
and the promotion of international peace and
security.

Article 41: states the minimum requirements of an

elected president, which include that he must be a
Muslim.

Constitution Articles pertaining

to Islam
Article 227: provides that all existing laws are
brought into conformity with the Injunctions of Islam
as laid down in the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

Article 228: provides for the establishment of a

council of Islamic ideology( the Islamic Council) and
the responsibilities of the president in relation to the
establishment of the members of the Islamic Council.

Article 229, refers to the provision that members of

parliament may seek advice from the Islamic Council
on matters regarding proposed law and whether they
are compatible to the Injunctions of Islam.

Article 230, provides for matters referring to the

functions of the Islamic Court.

(<www.pakistanconstitution-law.com>)

Role of Islam in Pakistan

Islam established as state ideology to
distinguish Pakistans identity as separate
from Hindu India.
Islam used as the basis for the creation and
unification of a separate state, not expected
to serve as a model for government (Blood
1994).
Islam remains an important element of
national identification and is a central issue in
Pakistans politics.
(Haqqani 2004, pp.87-9)

Controversy over Islams

role

Arguments :

Islamic ideology is essential to

bind its culturally diverse people
together.
Insistence on Islamic ideology, in
opposition to regional demands,
has alienated regional groups and
eroded national unity (Pakistan

Islam in Pakistan
Islam deeply rooted in Pakistans history
Links to Pakistani military and the Pakistani
elites world view (Haqqani 2004, p.85).
Military rule fomented religious military
presence in Pakistan.
Islamists gained disproportionate influence
over the countrys overall direction.
Islam used as the means of achieving a
common bond and unity (Haqqani 2004,
pp.91-96).

Conclusion
While Islamic ideology remains
important in Pakistan, the
implications exacerbated by
military rule and fundamentalism
complicate Pakistans political
situation and reduce its ability to
be identified as a functional
modern state.

References

Association of South East Asian Nations 2006, Overview, viewed 10 May 2008,
<http://www.aseansec.org>.
Bielawska, A 2008, State Church Relations, unpublished.
Blood, P 1994, ed. Pakistan: A Country Study. Washington: GPO for the Library of
Congress, viewed 5 May 2008, <http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/>.
Haqqani, H 2004, The Role of Islam in Pakistans Future, The Washington Quarterly
28:1 pp. 8596, viewed 4 May 2008 <http://www.twq.com>.
Infopak.gov.pk n.d., Information of Pakistan, Basic facts, viewed 4 May 2008,
<http://www.pak.gov>.
Kasuri, KM 2007, in Foreign Office Year Book 2006-7, Message from the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, viewed 10 May 2008, <http://www.mofa.gov.pk>.
Pakistan 2008, In Encyclopdia Britannica, viewed 6 May 2008
<http://www.britannica.com>.
Pakistani Student Association 2008, National Emblem, viewed 10 May 2008, <
http://www.utdallas.edu>.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2007, Foreign Office year Book 2006-7, viewed 10 May
2008, <http://www.mofa.gov.pk >.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2008b, Pakistan Foreign Relations 20034, Year Book, viewed 10 May 2008, <www.mofa.gov.pk >.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2008a, Pakistan: Brief Introduction, viewed 4 May 2008,
<http://www.mofa.gov.pk >.
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973, viewed 4 May 2008,
<http://www.pakistanconstitution-law.com>.
Witte, G 2007, Bhutto Assassination Sparks Chaos, Washington Post Foreign Service,
28 December; Page A01, viewed 6 May 2008, <http://www.washingtonpost.com> .