Writing an essay about a constitution which has undergone as many changes as Pakistan's did is not an easy task. One cannot look at a final product just stating what the current situation is and how people do get along with it. Understanding any constitution and especially the Pakistani one is a complex process of drawing a picture of history - a history of a religion, a history of a people and a history of lasting political changes. Trying to understand the Pakistani constitution is trying to understand how this constitution evolved; trying to understand why the Pakistanis are more content under the currentdictatorshipof Pervez Musharraf than they have been for a long time before; trying to understand the evolution of one of the world religions, namely Islam, and how it influenced the constitution; trying to get an understanding of what happened in this country. After having read this essay one will most probably come to the conclusion that this constitution is in no way finished, that it will undergo changes for the next 58 years as it has done for the last 58 years. Another conclusion will be that to date almost all of the Pakistani leaders failed in one way or the other.
In the following the historical background that established the framework for the country that we look at today will be described - a country ruled by a self proclaimed military dictator; a country with a per capita income of 700 $1per annum; a country which is at constant struggle with its nearest neighbours, namely India and Afghanistan - and relations to Iran and China haven't always been the best as well; a country that has been dependent on subsidies of Western nations, especially the United States for decades; a country that suffers from deep inner disruptions between fundamentalists and moderate or more liberal, more democratic Muslims; but most of all, a very young country still searching for its very own way to become an "Islamic democracy" one day. In order to outline the historical development of Pakistan and finally describe the current situation of this nation I will go into detail about every legislative period, which important amendments to the constitution were made during that span of time and what the effects on the people were always taking in account the most controversial subject of religion and how it was exercised by the leaders.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Emergence of a country – the great forefathers Muhammad Iqbal, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the theory of two nations
3 The evolution of a constitution – political changes and their influence on the constitution
3.1 General problems in creating a Pakistani constitution
4 Pakistan under its different leaders
4.1 The Khan's: Liaqat Ali, Ayub and Yahya Khan
4.2 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
4.3 Zia-ul-Haq
4.4 Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif
4.5 Pervez Musharraf
5 The Constitution: How it worked throughout time
7 Summary
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper examines the complex history of Pakistan's constitution and the political instability that has characterized the nation since its founding. It explores the hypothesis that persistent constitutional evolution and the failure of successive leaderships to establish a stable democratic framework have significantly hindered the country's development.
- The historical roots of the Two-Nations-Theory and the formation of Pakistan.
- The influence of religious discourse versus secular democratic ideals on constitutional drafting.
- The impact of military regimes and civilian leaderships on institutional power and human rights.
- The role of the United States and global geopolitical shifts in shaping Pakistani internal policy.
- The ongoing challenge of defining an "Islamic democracy" in a fragmented socio-political landscape.
Excerpt from the Book
4.3 Zia-ul-Haq
Zia-ul-Haq, popularly only named Zia, wanted to bring Pakistan back to its roots of being a truly Islamic state. As the country had "been created in the name of Islam" it would only survive as long as it remained firmly associated with Islam. Quite similar to all his predecessors, Zia wanted to gradually change the whole social and economic structure of the country back to being more Islamic again. Therefore he, for instance, reformed the educational system, introduced the Islamic tax "Zakat" and introduced new institutions, such as the Majlis-i-Shura and the Federal Shariat Court, to the governmental system.
After first imposing martial law onto the country after the coup Zia promised to hold general election within the first three months of him being in power. Naturally, those three months came out to be seven years and the elections he decided to hold in 1984 could not be called elections in democratic terms. The people were asked "whether the people of Pakistan endorsed […] bringing […] laws […] in conformity with the injunctions of Islam as laid down in the Holy Quran and Sunnah". The majority of the Pakistani's affirmed this and therefore Zia was more or less legitimated in his office for the following five years.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the historical complexity of Pakistan’s constitution and the author's argument that most national leaders have struggled to implement a lasting democratic system.
2 Emergence of a country – the great forefathers Muhammad Iqbal, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the theory of two nations: This section details the philosophical foundations of Pakistan, focusing on the Two-Nations-Theory and the initial vision of a secular democratic state.
3 The evolution of a constitution – political changes and their influence on the constitution: This chapter outlines the structural hurdles in constitutional drafting, particularly the conflicts between fundamentalist religious interpretations and liberal democratic goals.
4 Pakistan under its different leaders: This central section analyzes the distinct governance styles, political reforms, and legacies of key leaders from the Khan era through the regimes of Bhutto, Zia-ul-Haq, Sharif, and Musharraf.
5 The Constitution: How it worked throughout time: The chapter assesses the 1973 Constitution, examining how it has been frequently amended or suspended by various rulers to serve their own political interests.
7 Summary: The conclusion reflects on the state of Pakistan, noting the relative popularity of General Musharraf and the uncertain future of the nation’s democratic trajectory.
Keywords
Pakistan, Constitution, Islamic Democracy, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Military Dictatorship, Pervez Musharraf, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Zia-ul-Haq, Two-Nations-Theory, Shariat, Political History, Islam, Human Rights, Foreign Policy, Economic Development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The work focuses on the historical evolution of Pakistan's constitution and the failure of its various political leaders to create a stable, enduring democratic state.
What are the core themes explored in this document?
The themes include the tension between secularism and religious fundamentalism, the recurring cycle of military coups, the influence of foreign alliances, and the ongoing search for a national identity.
What is the primary research question?
The study explores the question of why, despite having had many leaders since its independence, the Pakistani political system has consistently struggled to achieve a stable and successful democracy.
Which scientific methodology is applied here?
The paper employs a historical and political analysis, reviewing legislative periods and constitutional amendments while examining the impact of various regimes on the nation's social and economic structure.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body provides a detailed look at the founding of the state, the internal struggles regarding constitutional law, and a case-by-case analysis of leadership styles under key figures like the Khans, Bhutto, Zia-ul-Haq, and Musharraf.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Pakistan, Constitution, Islamic Democracy, Military Dictatorship, Shariat, and Political History.
How does the author characterize the role of Islam in the constitution?
The author describes it as a constant point of friction, where leaders use Islamic slogans to gain legitimacy, often alternating between emphasizing religious governance and secular democratic rhetoric.
What observation is made about General Musharraf’s regime?
The author observes that despite his military origins and the suspension of the constitution, Musharraf gained significant popularity and Western support due to economic growth and his strategic alignment with the US after 9/11.
- Quote paper
- Anna Lippert (Author), 2005, Pakistan - A young country with many leaders. Did they all fail?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/66055
