The Role of Religio-Political Parties in the Democratic Transition of Pakistan

Abstract

Religio-Political parties are an integral part of the politics of Pakistan. Theyhave played a vital role in political mobilization, be it inside or outside theparliament, both during civilian and military rule. The military rulers of thecountry have never transferred power to the civilians, until a struggle fordemocracy has been made. That has led to compromise of transition frommilitary to civilian governments. It mainly focuses on the role of Jamiat-iUlema-i-Islam- (JUI) and Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan in the revival of people’spower in the country. It also aims to see how religio-political parties work todevelop pressure on the rulers for democratic transition in Pakistan. Despitediverse sectarian and political backgrounds, how the leadership of religiopolitical parties brought political parties on one junction against dictatorship.Furthermore study explains that how religio-political parties eitherencouraged or discouraged the aspect of dynastic politics in Pakistan.Building and analyzing this argument in the dynamics of structuralfunctionalism and role theory, the organizational structure of religio-politicalparties is studied and evaluated to see connection in the role of JUI and JIPtowards democratic transition.