What is ideology???
Ideology is the system of ideas as well as ideals which tend to define the goals related to economic, political as well as social values and also define how to achieve these goals. The word ideology means “the science of ideas “and comes from two Greek words “Ideo” and “logos”.
The ideology of Pakistan- Two nation theory:
Two nation theory served as the basis for the formation of a separate independent state for Muslims. According to this theory, there were two major nations in India; Muslims and Hindus. So Muslims had the right to have their separate independent state. So, under the influence of two-nation theory and by the struggle of Muslims under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam, Pakistan came into existence.
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| Source :How Jinnah's ideology shapes Pakistan's identity - BBC News |
Reasons for Ideological differences in Pakistan:
Pakistan
is an ideological state whose formation was based upon two-nation theory.
However, ideological differences in Pakistan could also be not denied.
Different political parties and groups have different agendas and ideologies
for which they are working. The political scenario of Pakistan at
present is dominated by religious groups on one side and by ethno-nationalist
political parties. This result in the creation of ideological differences among
different groups in Pakistan.
Religious ideology versus secularism:
A big reason for the creation of
ideological variation is the struggle between religious ideology and
secularism. Influenced by British rule for a long time, people in this area are
influenced by the English language and Western culture a lot. However, being an
ideological state created in the name of Islam, the vast impact of Islam in The Islamic Republic of Pakistan cannot be denied. So, a large number of political
parties have their agendas based upon the promotion of Islamic values and
Shariah in the country. On the other hand, some political groups work for
modernism and liberalism, human rights freedom of women, and so on. Thus, the
conflict between religious values and secularism results in ideological
differences.
Sectarianism
In addition, there are also
ideological conflicts among different religious groups. numerous sects have been
formed among which Shia and Sunni's sects are the most prominent ones. Varying
religious values and beliefs result in the creation of different ideas and ideals.
So sectarianism is also a big cause of ideological differences in Pakistan.
Linguistic differences
Linguistic differences also serve
to create differences in ideology. For instance, the evolution of the two-nation theory finds its roots in the Urdu Hindi conflict in Banaras. In Pakistan as
well, linguistic differences led to ideological differences. Urdu, the national
language of Pakistan is not the language of any majority group and is a sign of
national unity. However, in the early years of Pakistan, conflict arose between
Urdu and Bengali languages, along with other factors ultimately lead to the separation of East Pakistan and led the creation of Bangladesh. The linguistic
differences led to differences in ideology ultimately leading to the creation of a
new state.
Socio-ethnic categories
Pakistan, like other countries, is ethnically plural. ethnic diversity results in the creation of ideological differences. Ethnicity results in the development of ideological differences among different ethnic groups of a state. Pakistan is a multiethnic state with four major types of ethnic groups.
b) Agricultural society
c)
Urban society
d) Refugees
a. Tribal groups
Tribal groups mainly live in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan. these tribes have a defined code of life finding
its roots in periods of centuries. They have their own way of perceiving the
world based upon honor, revenge, and hospitality. The regions occupied by them
are poor and deprived of many resources.
b. Agricultural society
Peasant agricultural society mainly
lives in Punjab and some areas of Sindh. Independent and self-sufficient
Village life is the characteristic feature of this group.
c. Urban society
Major cities of Pakistan include
Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, and Islamabad. Urban society is well equipped
with resources and opportunities.
d. Refugees
Apart from the above three social and
ethnic groups, a large number of refugees settled in Pakistan after
independence in 1947. About 7 – 8 million refugees arrived from India as
refugees who had a different way of spending their lives.
As a result of different ways of spending life, differences in the distribution of resources, and different problems faced by different groups, ideological differences arise. For instance, Balochi people are of the view that they are being deprived of resources, economic and social benefits by outsiders. as a result, the ideological difference tends to arise between Baloch and other ethnic groups like Punjabi and Sindhi.
Conclusion:
Pakistan, an ideological state, is not free from cultural and religious ethnicity. Different political, cultural, and religious points of view among different groups result in the creation of ideological differences in the country. If these differences are properly dealt with and everyone is given their proper right, then these differences do not harm the national interest. However, if left unchecked, growing differences can result in conflicts among different groups harming the national interest and integrity. Every person and every group has the right to express their views and thoughts. Hence, differences in point of view should be welcomed but should not be allowed to damage the national interest.
Websites consulted
ü https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/560333-politics-ideology-identity
ü https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.istr.org/resource/resmgr/working_papers_bangkok/iqbal.muhammadasif.pdf
ü https://www.jstor.org/stable/4398031
ü https://aqacademy11.com/ideology-of-pakistan-the-two-nation-theory/
ü https://www.slideshare.net/imrankhan2085/ideology-of-pakistan-73866646
ü https://www.docsity.com/en/ideology-of-pakistan-4/7259828/
Research papers consulted
ü The
Novel Changes in Pakistan’s Party Politics: Analysis of Causes and Impacts |
SpringerLink Chinese
Political Science Review pages513–533 (2020)
ü Managing
Diversity in Pakistan: Nationalism, Ethnic Politics and Cultural Resistance
[review essay] Julien Levesqu URL:
http://journals.openedition.org/samaj/3551 ISSN: 1960-6060
ü Ethnicity
and Ethnic Conflict in Pakistan Gulshan Majeed Journal of Political Studies,
Vol.1, Issue 2, Vol. 1, Issue 2, 51-63
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