Pakistan - Articles

  The October 2002 elections in Pakistan has produced a ‘hung’ parliament with three major parties/alliances- PML (Q), PPPP and MMA- winning 77, 62 and 50 seats respectively.  An important outcome has been the emergence of Muttahida Majilis-e-Amal (MMA), a coalition of six Islamic religious parties. An analysis of this coalition is important for three reasons: its radical ideology, it being the third largest party in the National Assembly, and its predominant position in NWFP and Balochistan Provincial Assemblies.  Further the political success of the MMA has implications for Pakistan’s foreign policy, the global war against terrorism and the internal security of Pakistan.

  MMA emphasizes Islamisation, re-orientation of foreign policy, and the restoration of the 1973 Constitution. MMA’s primary objective is making Pakistan a ‘real’ Islamic country by establishing an Islamic society under the directions of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).  The alliance also insists on enforcement of the Shariat, supremacy of Islam and the unity of the Ummah.  The CII prescribes religion oriented social changes i.e., holiday on Friday, instead of Sunday, ‘Hejab’ for women to cover their bodies except their eyes, abolishing co-education, punishment under the Islamic Hudood Ordinance and a separate transport system for men and women. The uncompromising attitude of the MMA also undermines the position of women, presenting their social development. If such policies are implemented, Pakistan may have to face Taliban rule, but with a democratic face.

  The foreign policy of Pakistan would also undergo transformation if the MMA takes part in any future government. Immediately after the election results, MMA asked the US and British security forces to leave Pakistan. It was this anti-US and anti-west policy of MMA that led many in the border area to vote for MMA in large numbers. The Pashtoon people in the Pak-Afghan border areas were affected by the joint military operation conducted by the US and Pakistan Security Forces against the Taliban regime. According to the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and other fundamentalist forces, the US sponsored war against terrorism is targeting the Muslim community and Islam.  The MMA supports this argument. If MMA participates in the National Government it may work against Pakistan’s support for the US war against terrorism.  

  The ascendancy of the MMA has other security implications, not only for Pakistan, but also for the South Asian region. MMA claims that it is unlike Taliban, but has not reduced its support for the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.  NWFP and Baluchistan, the two sensitive provinces where MMA is in a commanding position in the Provincial Assembly, shares a 2,400-KM long international border with Afghanistan.  The extradited Taliban forces and Al-Qaeda terrorists are seeking a place to establish their camps; if they get support from Pakistan, they would continue with their underworld operations.

  The MMA also wants to restore the 1973 Constitution, restricting the powers of the President, especially on dissolution of governments. President Musharraf will never agree to this, because the present amendment asserts his dominance over the government.  But the MMA wants to avert another difficult President like Ghulam Ishaq Khan. Therefore, it is arguing for the supremacy of Parliament to implement its ambitious radical Islamisation programme by constitutional means.

  The post-election political situation in Pakistan is a slap on the secular face of Pakistan and has shaken its credibility in the international arena.  No doubt, the failure of major secular and liberal political parties to provide good governance in Pakistan has led to the victory of the Islamic parties. In future, if liberal forces continued to fail the nation, it would pave the way for radical Islamic forces to attract the electorate. The fact that MMA has acquired power, not by arms, but by democratic means through the election process unlike the Taliban, is dangerous for Pakistan’s future. Though it does not have a majority in the National Assembly, it has vast power in the provinces. But, if the MMA is to play a vital role in national politics, it will have to make compromises and have an agenda covering the interests of the majority population. The MMA will also have to come to terms with the realities of international politics and global trends.