SUBMITTED BY EMRAN RANJHA

Submitted to Dr. Rehana Saeed Hashmi

ROLE OF JAMAT ISLAMI IN

SHAPING PAKISTANI
POLITICS
Role Of jamat Islami In Politics During Bhutto Era

Research Questions
What were the founding basis of JI?
How Jamaat I islami facilitated the removal of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto?
How JI tried to Islamize Pakistan?

Research Objectives
To elaborate thinking of Maulana Maududi.
To analyze role of JI in Constitution making of 1973.
To discuss Jamaat I islami`s support to zia regime.

Hypothesis
Following statement is the hypothesis of our research paper
Role of Jamaat islami has been much imp. In political history of Pakistan despite its low
vote bank

Methodology
In this research I have used qualitative method and my research is basically based on
exploratory, descriptive method of research and most of the references are given from
the books and newspapers along with some journals written by some renowned writers
who have wrote on role of religious parties in Pakistan politics along with specific role of
Jamaat islami.

Data Collection
Sources used for data collection includes Books, Journals, articles, Internet and News
Agencies

Factors
Factors under discussion in this research report includes:
Religion
Politics
Struggle for power

Introduction
In this research report I have tried to elaborate the founding ideological basis of Jamaat
i Islami, the ideology which was referred by Maulana Abdul Al Maududi as its base. How
Jamaat islami was transformed from a reformist movement into a political party and the
allegations that were put against the Jamaat for its anti-Pakistan ideas in the years prior
to formation the Pakistan. JI was initially anti-muslim league and was of the viewpoint of
united India. With the division of India Jamaat was also divided into Jamaat I islami hind
and Jamaat I islami Pakistan groups. In early days the Jamaat remained inactive
because of allegations of being anti-Pakistan.but soon after the formation of Pakistan
the Jamaat raised its voice with a new agenda of changing the political, social system of
the country along with the constitution into an Islamic one. In Ayyubs time it was
succeeded in its agenda of inclusion of some Islamic provisions in the constitution along
with the struggle of other religio-political parties present in Pakistan.
Under the leadership of its founder Maulana Al Maududi who was an Islamic scholar
and journalist by profession its agenda didn`t remained consistent. Early changes from
a social reformist to political organization occurred under the leadership of Al
MAUDUDI. Jamaat played a major role as an opposition party in the Ayyubs regime
and got some popularity as compared to other religio-political parties. Also it was an
anti- Bengal Nationalist party and tried to prove itself as a patriotic party during the
partition of Bengal by opposing the separation of Bengal from Pakistan.
On assumption of power by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a leader with socialist agenda , JI once
again came on front foot as a opposition to Bhutto`s socialism and termed Bhutto as a
God Less Socialist Leader. JI put forward its idea that Islam and socialism cannot go
parallel to each other. Actually Jamaat was an anti-western ideas party, it was of the
view point that the western system and Islam are like two boats sailing in two different
directions in the same sea. JI led the PNA formed to get rid of the Bhutto. Jamaat
remained very harsh and kept a deadlock activated in the road to negotiation between
Bhutto and PNA on the issue of rigging of the elections of 1977.JI used all of the fair and
unfair means to get into the doors of power of governance.

JI supported Zia ul haq in his military regime and tried to lead the system of Pakistan
from a secular democracy to the path of islamization, But due to lack of a consistency
into its agenda and a clear future plans it became a puppet in hands of General Zia ul
haq to legitimize its rule. JI had got the benefit of execution of its worst political enemy
the so called God less socialist leader, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto by JI.JI with change in political
situation of Pakistan and its agenda started deviating from its founding basis and as it
have never got the contesting vote bank of masses it remained with Zia in governance
without contesting the elections.Jamat islami was also the major architect of
islamization of Zia. In the last years of Zia it also ceased to support Zia`s process of
islamization due to some internal conflicts with higher leadership.

Research Report
Jamaat islami was founded as a reformist Muslim organization but with change in
leadership and passage of time it has transformed into one of the
First of all I would like to go through the basis, ideology and need of formation of this
organization which later on turned into a regular political party and will try to elaborate
the relation between its basic ideology and the way it working as political party in Bhutto
`s time.
With the emergence of 20th century the political and social scenario of sub-continent
was forwarding towards a new system, a system with awareness of the political and
social welfare concepts.
All the ideas and services done by Sir Syed Ahmed khan,Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, Shah
wali ullah inspired millions of Muslims of sub-continent and gave them a new
perspective to think, To think about their survival ,To think about their welfare and to
think about their political, social and economic status in the sub-continent.
Among these inspired masses , Maulana Maududi was also a prominent figure, who
was much impressed by the revivalist activities of his ancestors, but more than this
inspiration ,being much close to religion he wanted to serve the Muslims of continent
and even do something for Muslims throughout the world. 0He was a journalist by his
profession (Aziz, 2011, pp. 16). So being religious person his mind set could easily be
judged by his writings of Towards Understanding Islam, Ethical view point of Islam
etc.
He thought that Muslim league was nor the ultimate solution of problems of subcontinent and neither the concept of Pakistan, a separate state for Muslims of united
India. He saw the Muslims survival only in walking on the path of Islam, in his
perspective the Muslims had a tool to rule the world and that was their unity and
following of Islamic teachings, so he laid the foundation of Jamaat e Islami in1941 along
with his companions

Jamaat e islami was founded as a reformist movement by Maulana Maududi in 1941 on

the basis of his ideology of Nizam-e-Zindagi, which declares Islam to be the only best
blueprint of life style for Muslims.
Jamaat islami is totally of different viewpoint as compared to the western thoughts, The
JIs antipathy to the West can be traced back to Maududi` sayings, who wrote that Islam
and the West
Are like two boats sailing in totally opposite directions. Any attempt to sail in both the
boats at a time shall split the adventurer into two pieces further more Maulana Maududi
was also of the view point that the western educated leadership of Muslim league is
unfit for the Islamic ideological based state
Maulana Maududi was nor the supporter of India composite nationalism nor of Muslim
nationalism in inida.in his views these ideas were totally western based and as I have
already mentioned that he was one with anti-western ideology.
There have been many allegations putted against Maulana Maududi on his views about
the ideology of Pakistan. From different addresses that he conveyed during 1940`s it is
evident that Maulana Maududi was heavily against the separation of india.
But here a duality in attitude of Maulana Maududi was seemed after the partition of
India, After the partition the agenda of Jamaat e islami totally changed and they started
aiming at influencing the constitution making process as a pressure group and started
their struggle to make the inclusion of Islami c provisions possible in constitution, and
they were succeeded in this struggle along with other religious pressure groups in
making of first constitution of Pakistan. So there is a much criticism on the mauris
character for his dual behavior. Also it was the time when a clash between the
leadership occurred on the point of participation in politics and organization had to lose
some of the prominent populous figures.
Maududi once said that:
Alas, not a single one from Quaid e Azam of the league to the lowliest leaders of it is
such has the Islamic mentality and Islamic way of thought, and looks at problems from

Islamic view point. These people do not know anything of the meaning of MUSSALMAN
and his special position (tarjuman-ul-Quran, 1939).

Bhutto Era
Now I will come towards the major role towards the major role that had been played by
Jamaat e islami during the Bhutto era towards shaping the Pakistani politics.
As it was a very crucial time in Pakistani politics and had faced abrogation of
constitution and separation of a major part of the country. Whole politics was being
driven into new direction Pakistan had transferred from Islamic nationalist state to
secular democracy. Idea of Socialism of Bhutto was becoming popular throughout the
state and Jamaat I Islams was completely transformed into a political party with change
in its agenda of making Pakistan an Islamic state with implementation of rule of Quran
and Sunnah in the state.
After the partition of Bangladesh Bhutto took over the charge as a martial law
administrator and assumed the whole governmental power in his hands. It was a time
for some quick actions and Bhutto did it very well.
JI didnt showed any response to Bhutto`s assumption of power. But the student wing of
JI IJT was very against the Bhutto`s assumption of the power and strikes were made
throughout the country by student of IJT against Bhutto`s socialist views and ideology.
Bhutto came up with some presidential orders of economic reforms, nationalism
reforms, Land reforms and was opposed by JI for his socialist policies. Eventually it
became a trend for JI to oppose every policy by ZAB and the relations between two
became more and more harsh. JI also alleged Bhutto for the separation of the
separation of 1971, the basis of his Famous dialogue of hum idher, tum udher
(kasuri,1970)
Once ZAB was to ban JI but threw away his plan on advice of his close companion Mr.
AKSURI. JI alleged Bhutto for his socialist agenda that he used during his campaign
and call it to be totally western based ideology to counter this objection ZAB started

Islamizing his socialist ideology and called it to be the Islamic socialism and called it to
be ultimate solution of economic conditions of Pakistan (Ali, 2005, pp.118-121). ZAB
BECAME FAMILIAR WITH THE fact that his Godless Socialist ideology will not become
much popular in Pakistan. Soon ZAB also summoned a meeting with Maududi and try to
negotiate with him for his support for constitution making and to some extent Maududi
promised him his support. So the credit of introducing the Islamic slogans in the politics
of Pakistan straight forward goes to JI.
Now another major change in political participation of JI occurred that was transfer of its
leadership from its founding father to a new elected Ameer Mian Taufail who was not a
religious scholar, but was a law educated man. He was the man educated under
western institutions and leadership slipped into his hands, as health of Maulana Abdul
Maududi became feeble and he refused to take part in next party elections. During the
time of Ayyub khan Bhutto alleged him for his repression of people and now Bhutto
himself was being blamed for his dictator tactics that he used during this era. Meanwhile
the assignation of JI MNA Mr. nazir took place and Bhutto was considered to the master
mind of this assassination by JI .

Formation of UDF
Bhutto`s popularity and his policies were not swallow able for rival political parties and
as Jamaat Islami was also came to be the horse of run for power so an alliance was
formed against PPP. There were some constitutional, political issues basis for these
conflicts between two parties.
Bhutto wanted to give a color of his socialist ideology to this new constitution but was
also unable to ignore these religious Mullah` Alliance against him. The process of
negotiation started and ZAB who was already alleged before the separation of 1971
was not ready to be called a secular leader by the religious party`s alliance against him ,
so, zulfi tried some tactics and finally won the support of JI by giving some concession
in constitution making. Was ready to remove the conflicting provisions from the
constitution. But somewhere in these conflicts demands of some personal benefits for JI

were there because now the party was a more political party and was less reformist
party. The party leadership was some deviated from its founding ideologies. Somehow
these conflicts kept on walking aside with the talks.
After this in Bhutto`s time the issue of ahmediyeas also raised as JI`s struggle against
the Ahmediya community was boosted u under the new leadership. So in alliance with
other religious party`s JI proposed to ban Ahmediya community`s activities which were
harming common Muslims.
Here the zulfi famous slogan Ab mulk mein sirf do quatein hain, ek fauj aur dosri
Peoples Party was proving to be wrong as religious wing was emerging and causing
hurdles to zulfiqar ali Bhuttos regime. Here once again JI alleged PPP for supporting
ahmediya`s and finally this issue was solved with declaration of Ahmediya`s a nonMuslims by Bhutto`s Government.
As in Pakistan from the very beginning only Beard Mullah`s,no matter whatever they do
are considered to be the sole guardians of religion. So, despite declaration of
Ahmediyas as non-Muslims Bhutto was unable to raise his religious vote bank and JI
once again translated it to be their success.
Now the politics moved towards the elections of 1977. Once again an alliance was
formed against PPP BY 9 political parties with the name of PAKISTAN NATIONAL
ALLIANCE PNA.
When the elections held on 07 March 1977 PPP came to be the majority part with 155
out of 200 seats in national assembly the elections were declared to be rigged by PNA
and strikes were made throughout the country. Now Bhutto tried to have some
negotiations with PNA leadership and also asked Maududi to help him in his
negotiations with leadership of PNA. Some dialogues were held with the interference so
Saudi king. Moreover holding of referendum for Bhutto`s popularity was also offered by
ZAB to PNA leadership along with ban on wine, nightclubs and implementation of
Islamic laws in next 6 months was also offered to PNA by ZAB , but PNA`s hunger for
power didn`t lead them to accept this peoposal.

Operation fair play

In 1977 as the deadlock between pp and PNA was occurred on the issue of re-election
and PNA was not ready to negotiate on any assurance no less than the resignation of
zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and had refused the offer of Zulfiqar ali Bhutto of holding the
referendum or alliance government. All of this was being done for sake of removal of
Bhutto and handing over the power into hands of this religio-political alliance.
So in 1977 when situation went more and more bitter in the major cities army was called
under article 245 and violent incidents started to took place so ZIA ul haq declared the
martial law in the country and called the Army of Pakistan as Momin-Afwaaj in his
address to the nation on the government owned radio and television (nawa-i-waqt
lahore, 04 april 1979).
And in his address to the nation after the imposition of the martial law in state he said
I must say that the spirit of Islam during the recent movement was commendable. It
proves that Pakistan, which was created in the name of Islam, will continue to survive
only if it sticks to Islam. That is why I consider the introduction of Islamic system as an
essential pre-requisite for the country (Pakistan times, 1977, 07 July).
Also general Zia ul haq announced that he wants to see democracy back into the
country for sake of it he will hold up the elections in next 90 days after some reforms.
He also gave his future plan of converting Pakistan into an Islamic state where Islamic
laws could be operated and an Islamic welfare society would be formed
All these things General Zia ul haq was doing with the back support of Anti-Bhutto PNA
Alliance. PNA alliance was now ready to use all of fair and unfair means to get into the
power and through away the introducer of democratic system in Pakistan MR. zulfiqar
Ali Bhutto. For this there were some news in the newspapers of those days regarding
the support of JI, the major party of that alliance to general Zia ul haq for his dream of
converting the state of Pakistan into Islamic system of state from the state with the
secular democracy.
Mian Muhammad taufail the Ameer Jamaat I islami of that era also argued Zia to have
the accountability of Bhutto before the elections and a slogan of Accountaility was

raised during that time by IJT and JI workers. In fact JI didn`t wanted to slip off the
chance of out-throwing of zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and gain of power with the help of a general
inspired by Maulana Maududi. As it was the time when JI had completely added the
gain of power in its foremost agenda for islamization of the country.JI islami along with
general Zia ul haq was also afraid of the fact that the Bhutto can came back to the
power as it could be judged by the mass support that he got while his arrival on Multan
and Karachi airport after he was led free for a shorter period of time by the military
regime. So general Zias desire of survival against the article 6 and JI`s desire of
gaining the power make them both to work in support of each other in their all fair and
unfair tactics and JI called the imposition of martial law as a REVOLUTION (tarjuman ul
Quran, oct 1978, 06).
Zia also offered the formation of an alliance government of PNA-MILITARY alliance and
this was accepted by majors of the parties of PNA but also was rejected by some
parties. Ultimate struggle and talks in PNA led to formation of the alliance government JI
ALSO SUPPORTED ZIA UL HAQ`S LAME EXCUSES OF POSTPONING THE
elections into state because JI didn`t wanted to lose the golden chance that they had
got in form of Zia ul haq`s martial law for gaining the power of governance.JI along with
the Zia under the umbrella of dictatorship gathered the religious and military tools to
control the masses and promised for a welfare state and they were surely opposed to
the the western political system and called it to be unsuitable for the state of Pakistan.
Bhutto was tried in the case of murder of Nawab Ahmed khan and assurance of Mian
taufail to control the political unrest after the execution of Bhutto make it easy for Zia to
execute Bhutto and he was sentenced to death in this case.IJT played a very important
role to help the police in controlling the agitations caused after the Bhutto`s execution
and a heavy hand was used for this purpose by the government to overcome this unrest
and on the day of execution IJT held rallies in favor of the execution of Bhutto . General
Zia ul haq came up with the major Islamic reforms through different ordinances and also
changed the political structure of country with a ban on political parties.

Islamization
Zia ul haq was used as a shoulder to set the gun for achievement of their agenda by JI,
First for execution of their worst political enemy and then legitimatizing their government
through introducing the Islamization. Being a president all of the ordinance were issued
by Zia ul haq, but the master mind, the architect of these all changes was Maulana al
Maududi (Hassan, 2008, oct 5).
Other Islamic reforms include formation of sharia bench in courts
Introduction of Masjid Maktab Scheme
Introduction of Arabic language in the syllabus
Purpose of the introduction of Islamic ordinances was not in fact the conversion of
Pakistan into Islamic state that can be observed by different instances on which the
steps of islamization were reversed by Zia ul haq as given below
Reversal of second constitutional amendment from PCO 1981, WHICH HAD
DECLARED Ahmediya community as non-Muslim minority in Pakistan. This demand
was later on included in PCO on demand of religious circles of country.
Second instance was removal of the condition for prime minister to be Muslim, which
was removed by General Zia ul haq when he amended the constitution solely. In the last
years of ZIA `s regime Jamaat islami also rejected the islamization process of Zia ul
haq (ahmad, 1993, pp. 187).

Basically JI saw the direct access to the corridors of power in Zias support and they
availed that opportunity, but lack of governing abilities JI became a puppet for Zia ul haq
in his governance. JI was in the seeking of using Zia ul haq to fulfil their agenda and no
doubt the accomplished their desire of execution of Bhutto but in return they have to pay
heavy reward to Zia ul haq in his tenure of 10 years . with the end of Zia it was also the
end for JI`s access to the power doors of government that they had got without
contesting the elections.

Conclusion
From above facts that have been elaborated in details a conclusion about jamat islami`s
role in Pakistani politics can be drawn on the facts that it is a polo-religio party that have
never got much public support and have always remained a side card for the dictators
and if one talks about its working one can also see that is deviated from its basic
founding ideology with passage of time and have been changed from reformist into a
political party.The JI has not only failed to achieve its objective but also moved away
from it while trying to make compromises to achieve political success. With a huge
Muslim population, Pakistan remains a country where religion is very important.
However, while people would like to see god fearing politicians, they would not like
religion to be the basis for all the political decisions. For parties like the Jamaat-e-Islami,
it is better to act as pressure groups, keeping a check on governments policies by
voicing concern where the policies are found to be in contrast with Islamic teachings. A
democratic government will allow these voices to be heard in order to reach an
understanding. The JIs electoral misfortunes should tell us that the dream of
establishing a shariah state is, if not impossible, unnecessary and unwelcome in
Pakistan. The politicization of Islam and Islamization of politics will only lead to the
abuse of religion for political purposes and vice versa.

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Nawa-i-waqt lahore, 04 april 1979

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