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Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Religion becoming the governing philosophy in Pak neighborhood?
Listen to article The question asked in the title of this essay is important to answer for Pakistan. This I will do in the article that will follow in this space next week. Today, I will look at the way governance is understood in the country's neighborhood. Of the country's four neighbours, three have used religion in order to gain political legitimacy. China is the only neighbour that is using social and economic growth for attracting political support from the citizenry. The other three – Afghanistan, India and Iran – have turned to religion to provide the basis of governance. I will first write about the three states in the country's neighbourhood, before speculating about Pakistan's political future. After a struggle that lasted for more than two decades and involved military actions by two superpowers: first what was then the Soviet Union and then followed by the United States. Moscow sent its troops in 1979 to save from collapse of the Communist regime it had installed in Kabul. The Soviet invasion was resisted by several Islamic groups called "mujahedeen" who came together and fought against Moscow's troops. After losing a large number of soldiers and spending a fortune to win the struggle, Mikhail Gorbachev, then the leader of Soviet Union, signed what history was to be called the "Geneva accord". This was in 1989 which allowed Moscow to pull out its troops without being challenged by the Islamic fighters. The accord did not have any provision about the form of governance that would succeed the Soviet pullout. President Ziaul Haq, Pakistan's third military ruler, had told me in a meeting with him that he had used the provision in the Constitution that he had inserted before bringing civilian leadership into the government. Article 58-2(b) in the amended Constitution allowed the president to fire the prime minister and his entire cabinet and dissolve the national assembly. This he could do if he was not satisfied with the way the government was operating. He said he removed the government headed by Prime Minister Muhammad Khan Junejo after he had advised him not to sign the Geneva Accord before it was determined who would head the government in Kabul and how the new rulers would govern. "By getting the Soviet Union to pull out its troops, a political vacuum would be created and the mujahedeen who had vanquished the Soviet Union would fall on one another," said Zia. History was to prove that he had made the correct prediction. After a prolonged internal struggle which also involved American intervention, Kabul was to be ruled by the Taliban. This was a group made up of the students who had been taught in the seminaries established in the tribal belt that lay between Afghanistan and Pakistan. "Taliban" is the Arabic word for students. The Taliban governed from Kabul after imposing what they believed was the right way to govern a Muslim-majority state. The most prominent part of Taliban's governance is the severe reduction in the status of women in the Islamic society. Religion was also behind the movement that pushed out the ruling monarch from power in Iran and introduced a form of government in which clerics subscribing to Shiism became the rulers with total power. The clerics have an ayatollah as the supreme leader who is the ultimate decision-maker. When the ruler came under pressure from a religiously inclined population, the emperor fled from the country. That was the right moment for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to return to the country he had left. In 1976, he flew back on a plane from Paris to Tehran and was greeted upon his arrival by a wildly enthusiastic crowd. He founded the Islamic State of Iran and appointed himself as the Supreme Leader. This system came into being when Emperor Reza Shah Pahlavi who had ruled over the country for decades was not able to control the rising religious movement that wanted a system of governance based on religion. The founder of the state headed by Islamic clerics had a provision for selecting a new leader if the one who was the leader died. The successor when the founder died was chosen by a council of senior clerics. The council chose Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the new supreme leader after the death of the founder. Following the tradition set by his predecessor, the new head of the state expressed disdain for Iran's pre-Islamic past, calling that a time of "illusion, not a source of pride that was afflicted by corruption and dictatorship". However, after attacks by Israel and the United States in the late spring of 2025, Khamenei gave a speech in which he repeatedly praised the country's "ancient civilisation" and boasted that Iran has "cultural and civilisational wealth" far greater than that of America. The verbal attack on the United States followed the American bombing of the sites where Iran was reported to be producing enriched uranium that could be used for making a nuclear bomb. By stressing Iran's cultural rather than religious identity, Ayatollah Ali Khamanei "sought to rally a population that was not only rattled by the 12 days of Israeli strikes but that also has, in large measure, soured on the clerics who rule the Islamic republic and the religious ideology that defines how society is governed," wrote Yeganeh Torbati in an assessment of the Iranian situation for The Washington Post. "This new nationalist tone comes at a time when top officials have repeatedly cited what they say is 'national cohesion and unity', emerging in the country in response to the Israeli and U.S. strikes in June." While developments in Afghanistan and Iran have brought religion into governance, India is also headed in that direction. Narendra Modi who had led the Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party, the BJP, to victory in the elections held in 2014 vowed to bring what he called "Hindutva" as the principle of governance. Modi was reelected in 2019 and 2024 and would govern India at least until 2029. By the end of his current term, he would have served in this position for 15 years, the second longest rule after Jawaharlal Nehru who was the founder of the independent state of India. Nehru was prime minster for 17 years. Nehru believed in an inclusive state that served India's very diverse population. Modi has opted to create a Hindu state in which those who subscribe to other religions will have a lower status.
Economic Times
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Pakistan intensifies crackdown in third phase of Afghan deportations
The Pakistani government has intensified the third phase of its forced deportation drive targeting Afghan migrants, with operations now gaining momentum in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following similar actions in Sindh and Punjab, Tolo News to a statement issued by Pakistan's Ministry of Interior, "All provincial governments are instructed that from now on, the presence of Afghan nationals without valid visas and passports in Pakistan is illegal, and they must be arrested and deported."Tolo News quoted Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal, head of the temporary Omari camp in Torkham township, as saying: "Organized arrangements have been made for the returnees. All committees are providing services efficiently. The transport committee covers travel expenses and ensures they reach their respective provinces. The finance committee provides them with 8,000 to 10,000 Afghanis. The health committee has set up clinics for treatment, and the temporary housing committee has installed tents for their accommodation." Despite these arrangements, several Afghan families holding valid Proof of Registration (PoR) cards have recounted incidents of mistreatment at the hands of Pakistani officials. Ziaul Haq, one of the deportees, told Tolo News, "We were very happy to return to our homeland. This is our own land. In Pakistan, Afghan refugees are treated with no dignity and are humiliated." Another deportee, Hedayatullah, shared his ordeal, saying: "I got a call from home saying to come quickly because our belongings had been packed. We were treated very badly there, despite having PoR cards and legal documents." Inzamamul Haq, a 28-year-old resident of Kunar province, was recently deported with his family from Punjab after living in Pakistan for four decades. "When we reached the checkpoint, they demanded 200,000 Pakistani rupees. They gave us two days, took our documents, and when our vehicle arrived, they took the money, returned our documents, and deported us," he told Tolo latest phase of forced deportations unfolds as the acting Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is expected to visit Pakistan in the near future.
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan intensifies crackdown in third phase of Afghan deportations
The Pakistani government has intensified the third phase of its forced deportation drive targeting Afghan migrants , with operations now gaining momentum in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following similar actions in Sindh and Punjab, Tolo News reported. According to a statement issued by Pakistan's Ministry of Interior, "All provincial governments are instructed that from now on, the presence of Afghan nationals without valid visas and passports in Pakistan is illegal, and they must be arrested and deported." Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Operations Management Design Thinking Healthcare Management Data Science MBA Product Management CXO Data Analytics Technology Public Policy Cybersecurity Degree Others Finance PGDM Digital Marketing Artificial Intelligence healthcare others Data Science Project Management MCA Leadership Skills you'll gain: Quality Management & Lean Six Sigma Analytical Tools Supply Chain Management & Strategies Service Operations Management Duration: 10 Months IIM Lucknow IIML Executive Programme in Strategic Operations Management & Supply Chain Analytics Starts on Jan 27, 2024 Get Details Tolo News quoted Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal, head of the temporary Omari camp in Torkham township, as saying: "Organized arrangements have been made for the returnees. All committees are providing services efficiently. The transport committee covers travel expenses and ensures they reach their respective provinces. The finance committee provides them with 8,000 to 10,000 Afghanis. The health committee has set up clinics for treatment, and the temporary housing committee has installed tents for their accommodation." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo Despite these arrangements, several Afghan families holding valid Proof of Registration (PoR) cards have recounted incidents of mistreatment at the hands of Pakistani officials. Ziaul Haq, one of the deportees, told Tolo News, "We were very happy to return to our homeland. This is our own land. In Pakistan, Afghan refugees are treated with no dignity and are humiliated." Another deportee, Hedayatullah, shared his ordeal, saying: "I got a call from home saying to come quickly because our belongings had been packed. We were treated very badly there, despite having PoR cards and legal documents." Live Events Inzamamul Haq, a 28-year-old resident of Kunar province, was recently deported with his family from Punjab after living in Pakistan for four decades. "When we reached the checkpoint, they demanded 200,000 Pakistani rupees. They gave us two days, took our documents, and when our vehicle arrived, they took the money, returned our documents, and deported us," he told Tolo News. This latest phase of forced deportations unfolds as the acting Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is expected to visit Pakistan in the near future.
Express Tribune
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Constitutionalism — a lost sanctity
To destroy a people, you must first sever their roots. — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Any religious place of worship and its holy book are revered as sacred by their followers. In much the same way, a state and its governing document 'Constitution' holds a sacrosanct place in the hearts of their citizens and constitutionalists. Just as any adulterated alteration of holy scriptures incites the fury of the faithful; likewise, any malicious amendment to the sacred document of the 'Constitution' provokes outrage in a society that firmly believes in upholding democratic principles. The journey of constitutional process in Pakistan has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. From the prolonged delay in framing and adopting the first Constitution to the recurring adventurism of experimenting with the adoption of a Presidential or a Parliamentary form of government, and from the question over a Federal versus a unitary system, to the abrupt military takeovers and undemocratic overreach of power by elected civilian representatives, Pakistan's constitutional trajectory has been fraught with ambivalence. Growing up in a household where political conversations were the main course of every table-talk, I was unknowingly familiarised with unsettling phrases like 'abrogation', 'suspension', 'reframing', and the most loathed of all, the Eighth Amendment (inserted by the then military dictator, President Ziaul Haq to strengthen his grip on power and suppress political dissent) that left an unconscious, yet profound impact on my understanding of constitutionalism. As a political science student, I observed the Seventeenth Amendment saga (brought in by the then President, General Pervez Musharraf in collusion with so-called democratic-minded religious and political parties) with a personal interest from the comfort of my couch, viewing it as an academic learning experience. However, I remained oblivious of the gravity of its repercussions. Years later, after spending nearly a decade in the professional arena, the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment (introduced in the backdrop of post-9th May political and military tug-of-war) felt like a direct punch to my face – finally making me realise the devastating impact of these calculated executive and legislative maneuvers. I find myself jolted by the ongoing tremors of this Amendment – an impact intensified by the rather unfortunate than fortunate experience of being position at the heart of it all, working on matters closely tied to its aftermath. Simply put, Constitutional Amendments in the past by the military dictators were focused on consolidation and legitimisation of their authoritarian regimes, whilst the civilian governments concentrated in strengthening the executive branch. However, the insertion of the 26th Amendment has had the effect of targeted weakening of the judicial branch; it has virtually glued the judicial institution with the executive in blatant violation of the fundamental constitutional mandate of trichotomy of powers and independence of judiciary as enshrined in Clause (3) of Article 175 of the presently enforced 1973 Constitution. Reflecting on my political science lectures, I am, rightly or wrongly, reminded that the Constitution not being merely a legal document but a foundational covenant between the rulers and the ruled; valued as a social contract between the State and its citizens, if that is the correct version, then who grants corridors of power the authority to unilaterally bend its clauses while expecting absolute obedience by the governed. It is an elemental legal principle that a contract loses its legitimacy when one party manipulates its terms to its advantage while disregarding the consent of the other. With the advent of the 21st century's sophisticated standards, overt military coups becoming increasingly unpopular. In their place, a far more alarming trend of employing covert methods to dominate the ruthless game of thrones has emerged, which stems from the nations' most revered legal scripture itself. In the guise of upholding the constitutional spirit and rule of law, state actors systematically set legal machinery into motion, weaving legal frameworks into a silken trap. They wield the axe of 'amendment' like executioners, striking down democratic norms and enclosing them in a gilded cage, all under the banner of legitimate governance. Thus, authoritarian forces are granted the licence to seize power under the illusion of constitutionality, gradually hollowing out state institutions like termites devouring the foundations of a grand structure, all while flawlessly maintaining the façade of constitutional integrity. This wave of Constitutional adventurism leading us down the path of legal debacle and ultimate frustration compels me to question my very choice of entering the legal profession, especially as I stand witness to a judiciary that mirrors a disarmed soldier on the battlefield, a toothless prey confronted by a fierce and unrelenting executive. The survival of a nation does not merely depend upon its military might or economic prosperity, but hinges on an unwavering commitment to the principles enshrined in its primitive framework. The Constitution, like faith, must be honoured, protected and upheld – for once its sanctity is lost, the risk is not just the erosion of legal provisions, but the very soul of the nation itself.
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First Post
12-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
From piety to proxy war: How General Munir embodies Pakistan's military-jihadi complex
Rawalpindi is facing a crisis, with rumours, talk of coups and General Munir's influence, all tied to its long history read more Few days back there were rumours circulating on social media about General Asim Munir 's possible arrest or ouster within Pakistan's military establishment, reflecting internal dissent or power struggles. As circumstances have unfolded of late in Pakistan, the country definitely needs a coup against General Munir. The puppet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif can be dealt with later. General Munir's religious profile General Munir , the Chief of the Pakistan Army and a devout Muslim , is an Islamic scholar. His mastery over The Koran is perhaps enviable to many a Muslim who perhaps aspire such depth of knowledge of the holy scripture. But the problem is in what way is he using his vast knowledge on The Koran. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What virtue will he achieve when he leaves his legacy as one of the jihadi generals of Pakistan? Pakistan has no dearth of such figures. Several senior Pakistani military figures have been notably associated with allegations of supporting or enabling jihadist groups as part of broader strategic objectives. Precedents of military-jihadi symbiosis General Zia ul Haq: 'Maulvi' who put faith in arms General Zia ul Haq, who ruled Pakistan as the head of the government, from 1977 to 1988 is considered as the original proponent of the policy of using faith to feed terrorism. A devout Muslim who saw Islam as the panacea for Pakistan's ills as well as the glue to hold the nation together, he was also referred to as 'Maulvi Zia-ul-Haq' by some in Pakistani military circles. What he did was to create multiple terror outfits on brigade lines, a policy that came to be known as Islamisation or Shariaisation of the Pakistan state, which had maintained somewhat secular credentials until that point of time. Zia changed the Pakistan Army's motto from MA Jinnah's 'Unity, Faith, and Discipline' to 'Faith, Piety, and Jihad for the sake of Allah'. He made Islamic prayers and studies mandatory and presided over the proliferation of religious seminaries with fundamentalism as the core driving force. He encouraged the Jamaat-e-Islami and Islamic revivalist group Tablighi Jamaat to spread their ideas among the soldiers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is where began Pakistan's proxy war of terrorism against India, a policy Zia saw as a means to 'bleed India by a thousand cuts' because his country could not match India's might in the battlefield. General Hamid Gul: 'Godfather of the Taliban' General Hamid Gul, who served as Pakistan military's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief from 1987 to 1989, is perhaps the most emblematic of this trend. Often referred to by critics as the 'Godfather of the Taliban,' Gul openly supported jihadist elements in both Afghanistan and Jammu and Kashmir. He did not shy away from praising jihad as a strategic tool to achieve Pakistan's regional goals, particularly against India. General Pervez Musharraf: Double game General Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's Army chief and the country's president from 1999 to 2008, outwardly allied with the United States following the 9/11 attacks. However, he has been accused of duplicity—allowing safe havens for groups like the Taliban while simultaneously receiving Western support. The Kargil war and ongoing support for the Kashmir insurgency unfolded during his tenure, adding to suspicions of state-sponsored militancy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD General Kayani and the 'dual track' policy General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who led the army from 2007 to 2013 and previously headed the ISI, was seen as a key figure in maintaining Pakistan's 'dual-track' policy: targeting some militants while shielding others. His tenure saw increasing criticism from the United States, particularly over Pakistan's failure to act against the Haqqani Network, which was blamed for deadly attacks on US and the Nato forces in Afghanistan. Lt General Shuja Pasha and the bin Laden debacle Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha, the ISI chief from 2008 to 2012, came under intense scrutiny following the U.S. raid in Abbottabad that killed Osama bin Laden. Under his leadership, the ISI was accused of harbouring high-profile militants, leading to deteriorating trust between Washington and Islamabad during a critical period of the 'War on Terror'. General Bajwa: Moderate image, questionable actions General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who served as Army chief from 2016 to 2022, was often portrayed as more moderate compared to his predecessors. Yet, during his leadership, extremist political groups such as Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) were allowed to operate and expand influence. He was also accused of political engineering, including manipulating elections and tolerating extremist rhetoric to maintain the military's grip over civilian politics. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These generals represent different shades of a long-standing pattern within segments of the Pakistani military establishment—balancing international alliances with internal strategies that have, at times, involved leveraging Islamist militancy for strategic depth. General Munir vs Hafiz Saeed: Where's the difference? Apart from his uniform, in what way is General Munir different from say someone like Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), in any capacity? Both are killing machines of innocents although operating in a different manner but the ultimate goal is the same – the end of India. India is no longer fighting a secessionist war in Kashmir, it is fighting Islamic fanatics in the garb of separatists who ultimately want to establish a Caliphate. Hafiz Saeed is 74 years old and although it might sound very outrageous General Munir by dint of his inclination and nature of his conduct could well replace him after retirement. Piety or politicisation of faith? Leading Pakistan's military since November 2022, General Munir is known for his conservative religious views and has held significant positions, including Director-General of Military Intelligence and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). It is under his watch that Pakistani military officials attended funerals of individuals linked to terrorist activities. The charge of politicisation of piety as prescribed in faith stems from his repeated affirmations of the two-nation theory, which is often viewed as a justification for religious differences and division, and his alleged suppression of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party led by Imran Khan. Munir has publicly reiterated his belief in the two-nation theory, which posits that Muslims and Hindus are separate nations. This was the original premise on which Jinnah unleashed communal violence in an undivided India, giving the British an opportunity to divide India. Since then this theory, though rejected by scholars and historians, has been used to justify the creation of Pakistan and has been a source of tension and persecution of Hindus and other minorities in Pakistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Violence in Pahalgam A deadly incident in the town of Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in 26 fatalities — 25 tourists including one from Nepal and a local pony-ride operator who tried to snatch the assault from one of the terrorists — sparked widespread outrage and renewed scrutiny of a senior Pakistani military figure, General Asim Munir. Just days before the attack, Munir delivered a contentious address emphasising Pakistan's claim over Kashmir by invoking emotionally charged historical rhetoric. Observers have drawn a connection between his inflammatory remarks and the subsequent eruption of violence. Munir, who previously led Pakistan's intelligence agency during the 2019 Pulwama tragedy, has also been accused by ex-military officer Adil Raja of orchestrating the Pahalgam assault to advance his own political agenda. General Munir, however, might have underestimated India's retaliation, prompting his DGMO to beg India for de-escalation. This came after India's serious military response in the form of Operation Sindoor, and a clear message that 'Asim Munir will not be given a face-saver exit'. Criticism at home Within Pakistan, General Munir faces growing dissatisfaction over his alleged interference in civilian affairs. He has come under fire for targeting political rivals, particularly the PTI party led by former prime minister Imran Khan. The military, under his watch, is accused of detaining civilians connected to the May 9 unrest and subjecting them to trials in military courts—a controversial move that has intensified accusations of authoritarianism. Khan has openly claimed that Munir not only violated previously agreed-upon boundaries between the military and civilian leadership but also engaged in plotting acts of political sabotage, including attempts on his life. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Cracks within the ranks General Munir's leadership has faced dissent within the Pakistan Army, including forced retirements of senior officers and calls from junior officers for his resignation, partly due to failures in security and handling of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). International condemnation A US lawmaker, Ro Khanna, urged punitive measures against Munir, accusing him of harassing relatives of individuals advocating for democratic reforms. Experts such as Michael Kugelman have expressed concern that Munir's prolonged leadership is deepening the military's dominance while weakening democratic institutions. Commentator Michael Rubin went so far as to liken Munir to a terrorist figure, drawing parallels to Osama bin Laden in the wake of the Pahalgam incident. Munir and the militarisation of Islam General Munir is another example in Pakistan's long history of army leaders who are linked to extremist ideas and interfering too much in politics. Even though he appears to be a religious man and an Islamic scholar, his proximity to terror chiefs operating from Pakistan is well known. From generals like Zia-ul-Haq to Hamid Gul, the pattern has been clear: using religious extremism as a tool to stay in power and go after political goals, especially against India. Munir's time as army chief has made things worse—with reports of repression inside Pakistan, support for terrorist activities and rising unrest within the army itself.
