35

POLITICAL POLARIZATION ISSUES AND

CHALLENGES FACED BY PAKISTAN
*
Dr. Raja Amir Hanif, Ms Iqra Sultan & Mr. M. Haqeeq

Abstract
Political polarisation unveils the degree of divergence of opinions regarding political
matters in society and might, in turn, rely on the development of economic outcomes.
Political polarisation builds policy gaps, obstructs governance and impedes policy
implementation. The paper delves into the complex issues of political polarisation in
Pakistan, shedding light on the deviation of opinions within the society and its
subsequent impact on economic consequences. With a nucleus on the lack of political
harmony among political parties and political and religious elites' distortion of
ideological viewpoints, the research seeks to uncover the root causes of polarization.
The study aims to give a comprehensive overview of the issues surrounding political
polarisation in Pakistan, suggest strategies that imply curtailing polarisation from
society and present insights that can update tactics for encouraging a more organised
and inclusive political environment.

Keywords: Political polarisation, political harmony, Governance, Issues,

Challenges

Introduction

I n Pakistan, politics have been ferrying between dictatorship and democracy,

similar to a pendulum since its independence, where slogan politics and political
fustian are mainly used to arouse the public. Pakistan is fleeting over another
political evolution.1 Inter and intra-party controversies have scoured the reputation
and legitimacy of both parties and leadership. Political parties have been accused of
corrupting the parliamentary democratic system by expanding influence and
personal gains, practising corrupt politics and shunning a long-term stand on public
interest. Political parties in Pakistan follow the policy of protruding and protecting
the interests of their leaders, which eventually fails in the democratic system. Fragile
political parties depend more on their leaders as a surrogate of strong party groups.
The process of disintegration hastened after the death of Liaquat Ali Khan and
Quaid-e-Azam, while the deaths of Nehru, Gandhi and Patel had no such impression
on the Congress party.2

Pakistan’s politics are based on several central issues, such as the energy
crisis, electoral reforms and the conditions of the nation's rule and regulation.

*
Professor Dr. Raja Amir Hanif Professor of history and Head of Department of History Govt.
Graduate College, Asghar Mall Rawalpindi, Ms. Iqra Sultan Research Scholar Pakistan Institute of
Development Economics and Mr. M. Haqeeq Assistant professor Govt college, Asghar Mall
Rawalpindi. The authors’ email address is aamirhanif71@gmail.com

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36 Dr. Raja Amir Hanif, Ms Iqra Sultan & Mr. M. Haqeeq

Various other issues, namely poverty, unemployment, inflation, corruption, health

and education, etc., are less critical in party politics. 3 These problems are
accentuated mainly by trailblazers on roads during demonstrations and media
reporting. Legislators use established countries' assemblies to discuss socioeconomic
and diplomatic issues, set up legislation and reach solutions. Moreover, in advanced
states, parliament acts to separate individuals from dramatisation protests in the
streets and supports them in directing their delegates to the parliament.

However, it is detected that in Pakistan, politicians desire to follow the

strategy of agitation and dharna to climax the problems instead of using the platform
of parliament. Many political parties reasonably participate in parliament but aspire
to work as groups to settle road issues. The trend of activism has presented the
essentials of ferocity and radicalism in the people, which have led to polarisation.
This process is deteriorating democracy and relegating the role of parliament.

Party politics is the political activity that involves the political parties.
Political parties are essential in strengthening democracy. 4 Their role in
implementing and forming socio-economic policies, political mobilisation, separatist
and insurgent movements, governance and ethnic and working democracy has been
the focus of the investigation. Political parties give critical context between the
policymakers and social process and influence policies and debates on the flows
impacting the interests of different social groups in the parliamentary democracy
and political structure.

Polarisation

‘Polarization’ has been operationalised in various ways and has different

meanings. A polarised government means the governing parties have different
inclinations over the issue voters care about, such as public goods. The argument
could be between the alternative government or the governing parties.5 Polarisation
also means the degree of political cohesion. According to the article, a government
with high polarisation has an irregular distribution of expected stabilisation costs.6 A
high degree of polarisation intends to capture the low political cohesion, so
achieving the optimal aggregate pact would be arduous.7

When the radical and opposition factions stop travailing instead of their
direct interest in the current political system, the stage is ready for the polarisation
of politics between the establishment and revolutionaries. In a less dynamic society
concerning political activities, the unification of factions and differences of opinion
play a fundamental role that leads to the inclusion of new groups and closer

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Political Polarization Issues and Challenges Faced by Pakistan 37

connections between mobilisation and factions of other social forces. Dissension or

polarisation is essential for transforming sectarian politics into party politics.8

Detrimental polarisation has made our people wary of ‘us and them’ groups,
impairing social consistency, forming intolerance and fissures and destroying
societal bonds. The affiliation of a political party determines social identity. Bizarre
language and hate are the new norms our political leaders practice for addressing
opponents. Pakistan has worked hard to attain success and state-building since its
creation. It has a somewhat developed infrastructure and impenetrable defence, but
a struggling economy is immersed in many contests. Over the past 75 years, the
nation has perceived various régimes and various mottos to conquest election
support by paying less consideration to social justice, nurturing cohesion, equal
prospects and integration.9

Different Types of Polarization

Political researchers discern between two levels of polarisation: elite and

mass polarization. Elite polarisation refers to the polarisation that occurs among
formal political actors. These institutions are populated by these actors, politicians
and political parties, while mass polarisation relates to society. 10 Every form of
polarisation is not detrimental to democratic activities. A particular level of
polarisation in a democratic system is not only conventional but also anticipated as
it offers electors clear programmatic choices that increase their interest in political
practices and stabilise the democratic system. A vigorous polarisation leads to
honest political debate with a clear option, acts as a remedy against political
disillusionment and encourages political participation.11

The Grounds for Polarization in Pakistan

In contemporary times, political polarisation has made it hard to discern

between guidance and manipulation in Pakistan. The foremost cause of polarisation
in Pakistan is the lack of political accord among the national parties. 12 The
government and opposition find it unattainable to settle the national security issues.
State institutions disagree with political parties on various essential concerns. The
premier example is seen yearly during the annual budget when the economic policy
is posed at parliament for the succeeding year without it being peaceful.

In democratic countries, political polarisation is allied with smaller

administrations, but in undemocratic nations, there is no such link between the
polarisation and the size of the administration. In present times, the system of

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38 Dr. Raja Amir Hanif, Ms Iqra Sultan & Mr. M. Haqeeq

governance is regulated based on the division of power between the principal organs
of states, such as the judiciary, executive, and legislature.13

Issues of Political Polarization in Pakistan

To understand the rationale behind political polarisation in a country, it is

essential to look at the constituents that are censurable to political polarisation in
Pakistan. Some of these are as follows.

 Unscrupulousness and Improbity

In Pakistan, political nepotism and improbability are the preeminent perils.

Out of 175 countries, Pakistan ranks 127 in corruption (Uroos et al)., These
evils are present in the judicial system as persistent in any former
institution. 14 The country has fallen to the verge of failure due to the
influences liable for pervasive internal non-outmoded security hazards, such
as poverty, redundancy and analphabetism. Pakistani society has been
persecuted by exposure to nepotism and corruption, where the leaders and
state authorities are either buying the votes or manipulating the electoral
processes. In Pakistan, political corruption causes political polarisation in
many aspects, such as political sleaze directed to the disproportionate
allocation of reserves, like money for welfare programs or development
projects. This may fabricate a gap between those getting boon from corrupt
practices and those who do not perpetrate them, leading to polarisation and
resentment. In a political system, when corruption is pervasive, it frequently
causes accountability deprivation for individuals in authority.15

 Sectarian Conflicts

In Pakistan, sectarian conflict is the foremost destabilising factor in the

social, political, religious and security order. The country has been
confronting this conflict for the last 27 years, which has resulted in
thousands of deaths from bomb blasts and other terrorist acts. In Pakistan,
there are heterogeneous people and cultures. The financial system is
sprayed, and the governmental institutions are erratic, fragile and weak. The
institutions are divided into racial, folkloric, social and spiritual lines. The
sectarian and ethnic ferocity has tainted the culture and created the ether of
grave political polarisation. The national structure exhibits flunked to
produce a feasible political sequence where groups of all regions live
collectively or wangle national identity. The unbridgeable division between

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Political Polarization Issues and Challenges Faced by Pakistan 39

central government programs and people has constrained the nation’s

people from contesting the country's reliability.16

 Bigotry and Religious Fanaticism

Polarisation is increasing with the increase in bigotry and religious

fanaticism. Pakistan society is drawing on polarisation and extremism, and
hence, violence is also escalating. The murder of Salman Taseer, governor of
Punjab, whom his security guard assassinated, reflects his intolerant
conviction on changing the law of blasphemy. General Pervez Musharraf
said, “Polarization has already made Pakistan all but ungovernable”. The
sensation of polarisation is startling as the ascent of militant religious
extremism in the country. Few political scientists argue that calamity in
government policies and deviation on a large scale of issues is pushing
society toward polarization.17

 Political Rhetoric and Slogan Politics

Politicians predominantly use political slogans and rhetoric to invigorate

people; these praxes are employed in public statements and speeches. In
Pakistan, military and civil leaders rely on slogans rather than political
substance. The mottos like Pakistan ka MATLAB kiya La Illaha Illah,
Pakistan Baan ky rahey gaa were famed before the independence of
Pakistan. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s slogan, Roti Kapra aur Makan, is still famous.
Asif Zardari’s Pakistan Khapay, Imran Khan's Naya Pakistan, Tabdeli aa k
Rahy gi, etc., are some hit and glorious mottos of Pakistan rhetoric. These
slogans are based on the situation before and after the election campaign to
galvanise the public. Pakistani politicians, instead of strengthening
democratic institutions, are discussing electoral reforms and the energy
crisis on the streets. The dharna politics has demoted the sacredness of
parliament and has sapped the faith in democratic institutions.18

 Socio-economic Inequities

Socioeconomic inequities are the underlying ones that undermine the

prospect of nation-building. In Pakistan, the current situation does not offer
economic opportunities or equal avenues to all. The citizens cannot even
relish their socioeconomic rights; the society is polarised with a gap
between marginalised and privileged individuals. These constituents are
being unheeded in Pakistan, and people are being denied their fundamental
rights of education, employment, food, Health, etc.19

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40 Dr. Raja Amir Hanif, Ms Iqra Sultan & Mr. M. Haqeeq

 Mass Media

Mass media has grown as an institution in the last half-century. The

involution of social media also contributes to political polarisation in
Pakistan. Social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and
WhatsApp are standard in the country and have become battlegrounds for
political colloquies. It has enabled the propagation of misinformation and
fake news that leads to polarisation and social divisions in a country. Social
media has made echo chambers where people talk about the news that
aligns with their opinions and tenets. The abusive hurls against one another
on social media have deserted the basic ethics.20

 Political Turbulence

The most prominent ramification comes in the face of political flux. It

makes it harder for institutions to work in their best capacity. In Pakistan,
political instability has hindered the country's progress and development.
Various factors contribute to political instability, such as corruption,
economic challenges, military interference, sectarian and ethnic issues, etc.
These factors have created an unstable climate in the country, making it
arduous for the government to maintain permanency and govern
efficiently.21

 Economic Context

The substantive cause of political polarisation in Pakistan is the country's

economic situation. Pakistan has long been confronting economic
provocation challenges, including inflation, poverty, high unemployment,
etc. These challenges result in social inequality, in which the rich become
more affluent and the poor become poorer. Inequality has developed a sense
of resentment and frustration among the people, which has led to
polarisation and the rise of populist movements. This inequality has created
deep-seated grievances among low-income people, who might feel the
political system is rigged.22

 Modicum Respect of the Constitution

A written text of the constitution delineates the authority of twigs of

government. It not only ascertains power constraints for the judiciary,
administration and legislature but also clinches that every organisation
stands by the moralities in the text. Constitution should be supreme law

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Political Polarization Issues and Challenges Faced by Pakistan 41

and coerces to the rule of law, fundamental human rights and civil liberties.
These attributes are mislaid in Pakistan. The constitution is being
periodically and frequently abrogated, amended and annulled by the
military and civil leadership. However, constitutional ambiguities and flaws
concerning federal and provincial rights have severely affected nation-
building.23

Recommendations

 Espouse Governmental System

The democratic record of Pakistan is feeble at the root level. Suppose the
military administrations are vigilant on the federalisation of
decentralisation and power for their legality reason. In that case, the
democratic government works in a contrary path and the federal
government system in the state is customarily partial. Apart from that, the
local government scheme is not a primary concern of Pakistan's presiding
elites that impedes citizens' authorisation. It is momentous to strengthen
the third tier of government to shape the capability of politicians at the
preliminary level and prepare them so they can grasp national and
provincial assemblages and execute them efficiently.

 Persuade Politicians to use Constitutional means to Fiddle with the

Issue

To alter a country's political form of agitation, it is imperative to yield

essential steps to accentuate the importance of assembly and revitalise its
part through constitutional ways to tackle the problem. The personae of
civil society, opposition, media and government are equivalently significant
in this regard. Moreover, the government must take befitting action to
untangle the elevated issues discussed in parliament for the public's
interest. It will act as a self-assurance gauge for the public and wander off
politicians.

 Need to foster Attitudinal Change in Politicians

States live in the cores of poets but die and thrive in the hands of
representatives. The politician’s role as a state-building leader cannot be
contradicted. A genuine and adroit leader led the nation to upsurge to new
heights of growth, while the evil one unswerving them to stone ages. From
the perspective of Pakistan, it is necessary to initiate attitudinal

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42 Dr. Raja Amir Hanif, Ms Iqra Sultan & Mr. M. Haqeeq

modification in politicians concerning parliament and politics. Politicians

should use the parliament forum and perform their part in reinforcing the
elected institution.

 Capacity Empowerment of Communist Parties

Because of the absence of intellectual, administrative and structural

penetration in political parties, frontrunners mainly depend on partisan
slogans and rhetoric politics. According to political leaders, using these
beguiling slogans to enchant the crowd is easy. It is proposed that political
parties must concentrate on structural and organisational restructurings
and take prompt actions to facilitate the rational profundity of leaders and
followers of the party.

 Rationalize Pressure Groups

The government has to negotiate with religious factions and political parties
that are not a fragment of parliament to incentivise them to be a part of the
elected process. This will support to fortify the parliament.

 Make use of Solar Energy Sources

Energy is the sustenance of any nation. Pakistan is presently facing a vast

energy crisis wherever the load shedding of natural gas and electricity has
saddened people. It has undesirable impacts on economic progress. Due to
its sparse gas and oil reserves, Pakistan imports oil to meet its energy
requirements. The government has to invest in solar energy resources to
help bridge the country's power deficit. Moreover, renewable energy
promptly takes electrical energy to inaccessible areas where power
transmission is absurd. It is the need of the hour to proactively take steps to
deal with the energy crisis by using renewable energy resources, or else it
will disturb the country.

 Invigoration of Democracy

Pakistan needs a functional democracy where courts of law make decisions

without discrimination based on position, authority, and influence. The
affluence of admittance to fairness is non-present. Deprived people have to
wait for ages till their pleas are heard in court, and sometimes not even
subpoenaed in their life, whether they are erroneously associated in the
case. The state of matters goes beside the state building, where people are
disenchanted and grappling with their problems.

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Political Polarization Issues and Challenges Faced by Pakistan 43

 Promoting Interlocutions and Reconciliation

Political parties and government should intend to foster reconciliation and

interlocutions between distinct groups to ease edginess and applaud the
sagacity of harmony. The government should generate a platform for
discussion and invite gatherings to the negotiating table to address regional
brawls and promote cooperation.

Conclusion

The paper articulates the critical problems associated with political

polarisation in Pakistani society. Political polarization in Pakistan faces a challenging
contest, expressing itself in several essential issues that have far-reaching effects on
the socio-political structure of the country. The implications of this polarisation are
evident in policy conflicts, societal disagreements and governance barriers. The
study seeks to explain and understand these issues by examining their origin and
impact on the political landscape. By referring to the specific indicators of
polarisation, such as social concerns, economic strategies and extensive societal
implications, the paper give insights into the nuanced encounters caused by political
polarisation in Pakistan.

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44 Dr. Raja Amir Hanif, Ms Iqra Sultan & Mr. M. Haqeeq

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