Fall of religio-political parties in Feb 8 vote

Religio-political parties were expected to fill a “political vacuum” following a crackdown on former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party and perform better in the recent general election. However, the humiliating defeat suffered by nearly all major Islamist parties in the February 8 elections is still resonating within their circles and has sparked debate concerning the underlying reasons for their loss and diminishing relevance in Pakistan’s electoral sphere. They have begun to ponder whether they should concentrate exclusively on preaching Islam or involve themselves in both electoral politics and cadre development simultaneously.

These debates among the leaders and members of Islamist parties raise doubts about their sustainability in the country’s political landscape. Out of the 175 registered political parties with the Election Commission of Pakistan, approximately 23 are religious parties. Notable among them include Jamiat Ulemae Islam-Fazal (JUI-F), Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM), all of whom actively participated in the February 8 polls, and could garner just about 12 per cent of the votes nationwide, as reported by Gallup Pakistan. Notably, TLP emerged as the fourth-largest party in the country with 2.8 million votes. At the national level, JUI-F and JI received 2.1 million and 1.3 million votes respectively, collectively slightly surpassing the TLP vote count. However, despite considerable attention, JI’s influence in Karachi was overshadowed by MQM-P, while JUI-F faced significant setbacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa at the hands of PTI. Amongst all, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) has gained prominence, particularly since PTI used it as a political platform for its independently elected members after the elections.

In Pakistan, there’s a perceived disconnection between religious principles and pragmatic politics. Many believe that political parties prioritise pragmatism to moral values, leading to a sense of deception and detachment from religious ideals. Consequently, there’s a growing sentiment that religious scholars should abstain from politics altogether and focus solely on spiritual guidance. Islamist parties often concentrate solely on religious matters, neglecting the urgent economic and social challenges faced by ordinary citizens. This failure to present a comprehensive and appealing manifesto for common people undermines their ability to resonate with voters seeking solutions to everyday issues. While most Pakistanis are religiously inclined, they may not necessarily align with the specific religious ideology of any party. Although they might lean towards Islamist parties with a religious component, this inclination doesn’t guarantee steadfast support, particularly given Pakistan’s diverse religious landscape, which makes it challenging for any single party to cater to the entire spectrum of religious beliefs.

PTI gave a significant blow to the electoral prospects of Islamist parties. Firstly, the PTI positioned itself effectively as an outsider challenging the traditional status quo associated with PML-N and PPP, as well as some Islamist parties like JUI-F and JI. Imran Khan’s populist rhetoric resonated with voters seeking a departure from the perceived corruption and inefficiency of the past. Secondly, the PTI adopted a broader national agenda that transcended purely religious themes such as his references to the state of Medina and anti-Western sentiment.

The rise of PTI signifies not just a political but also a generational shift. Pakistan’s youth is connected to the world through social media and is less influenced by traditional religious affiliations when voting. This younger generation prioritises solutions to tangible problems like unemployment, economic instability and rising cost of living — areas where Islamist parties often struggle to gain traction. The proliferation of social media and access to diverse information has empowered a more informed and discerning Pakistani electorate.

While the electorate’s rejection of Islamist parties weakens their push for stricter Islamic laws, it also risks fostering resentment among their supporters. If these frustrations persist unaddressed and mainstream political discourse fails to offer a compelling alternative, extremist groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) may exploit this fertile ground.

This tension is further exemplified by the TTP’s recent call for defeated Islamist parties to unite for an Afghan Taliban-inspired order. Moreover, the association of certain religious groups with proscribed militant organisations has tarnished the image of Islamist parties among the public. Pakistan’s ongoing fight against terrorism has led to a growing weariness towards religious parties perceived as sympathetic to extremists or incapable of controlling them.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2024.

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