Will MMA Revive? Its time to Revisit religious politics in Pakistan

Will MMA Revive?
Its time to Revisit religious politics in Pakistan

At the time of 21^st amendment traditional religious parties left alone once again in Pakistan. PTI, the 3^rd major party in the National assembly did not participated in the process due to “technical reasons” but it did not oppose 21^st amendment out of assembly. It is time for religious parties and their workers to revisit their past politics.

Pakistan witnessed two religious experiences in last 35 years and both were its neighbours. In 1979 sect base Iranian revolution (1978) and another sect base Taliban revolution (1996) effected not only both States of Iran and Afghanistan and their societies but also effected Pakistan a lot.

Either you are supporter of “separation of State from religion” or its opponent but our past history proved that mixing religion/ideology with politics neither benefits religion/ideology nor politics. In the end politics always find its way due to its fixable position yet religion or ideology strangle due to its puritan positions.

Political use of religion/Ideologies is linked with the birth of Nation State phenomenon in modern times. Numerous modern Nation states were created or carved in 20^th century especially after WW1 So we had a history of use of religion extensively not only at international or regional level but also at national level too.  During 19^th century British historians smartly interpret our history on religious and sub-religious grounds. You can easily found terms as Hindu period, Muslim period, Sikh period in their literature which was absent in pre-British books like Balazari’s fatuh-al-Budan (Victories of cities published in 10^th century), Alberuni’s Kitabul Hindh (On India published in 11^th century) or Farishta. Point to be noted that around beginning of the 19^th century British colonial power had control on area started from Bay of Bengal till Delhi yet they were moving towards Oxus and in those areas Muslims were in massive majority while there were Sikhs and Hindus too. So they coined Frontier Forward Policy under which they had to move towards Afghanistan gradually.  Their enemy was Tsarist Russia. Under that policy they played not only with religion but also with languages extensively. That legacy proved very helpful for religious movements and parties after WW1. In Pakistan civil bureaucracy used the weapon of religion just to strengthen its power and in their efforts they involved military elite. Finally military elite taken driving seat and rest is history. 

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