Abstract
Islamic Socialism was the concept propounded by Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto during the 1970-71 general election campaign. This ideology was new to Pakistani state as the country was founded on the concept of the Two Nation Theory. Mr. Bhutto's ideology in Pakistan was viewed as against the basic concept of the religion (Islam) by the Islamists parties. The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) was the main political opponent of his ideology. Mr. Bhutto believed that the socio-economic condition of the country was deteriorated and this new ideology will infuse a better life for everyone in the country. On the other hand, the Amir (chief) of the JI, Maulana Maudoodi, believed it as an atheist ideology and would diminish Islam from Pakistan. This paper is designed to investigate why political elites envisaged such ideology i.e. Islamic Socialism, in 1970 election? Whether this new ideology changed economic conditions of the common man as was envisaged or further worsened the political situation in the country? Further, the paper will investigate what role religious parties played particularly the JI, in countering the Islamic Socialism ideology which it was believed as atheist ideology?
Highlights
Introduction & Historical BackgroundAfter the decade long rule of military dictator general Ayoob Khan from 1958 to 1969, Pakistan was in search of political stability
The socio-economic programme under new ideology of Socialism, Islamic Socialism or Islamic Masawat was very attractive for the poor people of Riksaw wala14, tangewala15, farmers etc. because they believe their life would be changed with this new thinking of Mr Bhutto
He propounded the concept of Islamic Socialism and believed it will improve the socio-economic conditions of the people of Pakistan
Summary
Introduction & Historical BackgroundAfter the decade long rule of military dictator general Ayoob Khan from 1958 to 1969, Pakistan was in search of political stability. Military took over in 1958 under General Ayoob Khan who remained in power till 1969. General Yahya announced free and fair general elections in December 1970 (Rizvi, 1991). The announcement of general elections was viewed as a sigh of relief for the political parties because under previous military government of general Ayoob they had suffered huge setbacks due to his (General Ayoob) presidential orders such as PRODA and PODO. According to these orders political leaders were disqualified and banned from participating in elections for the period of six years (till 1966)
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