Islamization of Zia Regime: An Appraisal from Gender Perspective

New Blackfriars, 1990

Egyptology , 2022

The political history of Pakistan is filled with much instability and has remained very turbulent since 1947. It has remained oscillated from democratic government to a military dictatorship. First military government in Pakistan was set up by General Ayub Khan in 1958 which was extended by General Yahya Khan till 1971 and in 1977 country was once again under Martial Law government of General Zia-ul-Haq. He implemented Martial Law because of the then Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s autocratic nature and his wish to cling the power. He could not satisfy his political opponents regarding the results of 1977’s general election and pushed country into the unending political and constitutional crisis. General Ziaul-Haq considered it the golden opportunity to fulfill his ultimate goals of ruling over Pakistan. None the less, general public, political parties and other welfare organizations started to resist against the rule and policies of General Zia-ul-Haq who scrubbed all the activities which were against his Government by force or by law. This paper is an effort to uncover the significance of the resistance of political parties and public regarding their efforts to restore of democratic Government. Moreover, the issue of women rights had also gained the importance of high level as many women and NGOs were submitting their protests regarding the laws of Hudood Ordinance. Therefore, this article critically analyzes the role of public and political leaders for the restoration of democracy and women rights issues in Pakistan. In this article the role of those famous poets is also discussed who criticized the rule of Zia-ul-Haq through their poetry.

Global Regional Review

Pakistan was made on the Islamic ideology, it was made to secure the political and religious rights of the Muslims. It was clearly illustrated in the Objectives Resolution that no law shall be made repugnant to Quran and Sunnah. The Islamic Provision of pre 1973 constitution provided base for Islamization. With the passage of time institutions like Council of Islamic Ideology and Federal Shariat Court were established. This study is an attempt to analyze whether the islamization process in law making actually fulfilled the considerations of the basis of this country. This paper will analyze the attempts in different eras, specially the era of Zia. Zia claimed to implement and impose Islam in every walk of life in Pakistan but his Islamization had adverse impacts and criticized by scholars. This is an attempt to grab the causes of failed Islamization and its impacts.

Created for the Muslims of the Indian Sub-continent in 1947, Pakistan is by design a Muslim majority state with 97 percent Muslim population. Despite the division of India and Pakistan based on distinct religious identities as per the ‘Two-Nation Theory’ (Cohen 2004), Pakistan continues to face identity crisis as evident through divisions between Islamists and secularists. The law has been an arena of this Kulturkampf (Yilmaz 2016). Islam was identified as a key element of Pakistan identity since the first deliberations on the constitution of Pakistan. In the light of the Objective Resolution of 1949, the country was declared an Islamic Republic in 1956 (Ahmed 2016). Later constitutions have also maintained the centrality of Islamic ideology in everyday affairs of Pakistan (Chak 2015). Despite a declared Islamic Republic, Islamization began in the 1970s under Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and later during the rule of General Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s. Under Zia, the most controversial Hudood laws were formulated and implemented. While many scholars blame the leaders of that time, especially General Zia, for the discriminatory laws against women, it is important to analyse the role of constitutional bodies responsible for ijtihad, such as the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), and the Federal Shariat Court (FSC), in relation to women rights. The aim of this paper is to present a critical analysis of both institutions in connection to some prominent, but controversial, laws vis-à-vis women in Pakistan. Despite criticism of CII’s controversial recommendation on issues pertaining women rights, the council merely has an advisory role. CII’s reports are often not discussed in the parliament, as there are bureaucratic filters. Even if passed by the legislators, FSC has the mandate to make judgements on Islamic laws. Thus, impact of CII’s recommendations on women in Pakistan cannot be judged in isolation to other key constitutional bodies, especially FSC. In terms of the methodology of the paper, the analysis is based on the role of two selected bodies since 1980. It is the year when FSC was created and an era in which many of CII’s suggestions on Islamization were implemented during General Zia-ul-Haq’s regime.

Pakistan Journal of Gender Studies, 2018

The term ‘women empowerment’ has now become an essential and debatable issue around the globe. In the development of a state role of women is considered as an important factor for socio-economic progress, and is essential for the growth and development of civilizations. This article studies the policies related to empower women in the ruling era of General Pervaiz Musharraf. The Islamization during Ziaul- Haq’s regime provided strength to the roots of gender discrimination and male dominance in the society by supporting misleading concepts of Islam about control and suppression of women. The governments of post-Zia period timely understood the importance and significance of female in the development of a nation and worked positively in this direction. The empowerment of women in Mushraf’s era received enormous appreciation as he considered women empowerment as the most important factor for economically stable and progress of nation. In spite of, resistance from various social, relig...

2012

Though Pakistan is the result of an Islamic movement in undivided India, Islam was never institutionalized politically and militarily till Zia took power on July 5 th 1977 as a result of coup d’etat. His regime was in need of legitimacy which was facilitated by the Afghanistan war (1979). Pakistan was directly facing political, economic and strategic consequences of the Afghan crisis. Politically, it was facing immense pressure from the former Soviet Union for providing help to the refugees and mujahideen. Strategically, it was facing direct Soviet Union military threat, often resulting in its space violation by the Russian planes and helicopters. Economically, it was bearing the burden of 4.2 million Afghan refugees. Religiously, it has induced Islamic extremism and sectarianism in Pakistan. The events of 1979 provided an opportunity to Zia to initiate a process of Islamisation mainly for two reasons; firstly to stabilize and legitimize his regime and secondly to acquire internatio...

This paper deals with the women-related legislation, accomplished during Musharraf period. It seeks what factors were responsible for Musharraf's policies to empower women? what major issues were addressed by the parliament and why? What bills had been presented in the legislature and what Acts had been introduced? This study explores that there was a huge pressure on Pervaz Musharraf to protect the rights of the marginalized community of women, and to eliminate all sorts of violence against women like honor killings, wanni, diyat and the annulment of Zina and qazf from Hudood Ordinance. The major criticism on Pakistan, from the International community, was on the controversial laws of Hudood Ordinance, promulgated by General Zia ul Haq. Many political parties raised the slogan to amend the Hudood Ordinance in post Zia era but they could not do so, because of their political interests. In 1999, when General Pervaz Musharraf had toppled the government of Nawaz Sharif, he opposed the orthodox approach and announced that the progress lied in the modern way of life and business. The first phase of his regime from 1999 to 2002, mostly deals with the political uplift of women. Through different ordinances and orders, he strengthened the role and representation of women in local governments as well as in the National and provincial Legistures. After the elections of 2002, with different ordinances, legislations and through amendment in the Constitution, Musharraf regime tried to eliminate violence against women and had tried to strengthen the social status of women..

Legislations on women issues: Musharraf Regime, 2022

This paper deals with the women-related legislation, accomplished during Musharraf period. It seeks what factors were responsible for Musharraf's policies to empower women? what major issues were addressed by the parliament and why? What bills had been presented in the legislature and what Acts had been introduced? This study explores that there was a huge pressure on Pervaz Musharraf to protect the rights of the marginalized community of women, and to eliminate all sorts of violence against women like honor killings, wanni, diyat and the annulment of Zina and qazf from Hudood Ordinance. The major criticism on Pakistan, from the International community, was on the controversial laws of Hudood Ordinance, promulgated by General Zia ul Haq. Many political parties raised the slogan to amend the Hudood Ordinance in post Zia era but they could not do so, because of their political interests. In 1999, when General Pervaz Musharraf had toppled the government of Nawaz Sharif, he opposed the orthodox approach and announced that the progress lied in the modern way of life and business. The first phase of his regime from 1999 to 2002, mostly deals with the political uplift of women. Through different ordinances and orders, he strengthened the role and representation of women in local governments as well as in the National and provincial Legistures. After the elections of 2002, with different ordinances, legislations and through amendment in the Constitution, Musharraf regime tried to eliminate violence against women and had tried to strengthen the social status of women..

Gender Issues, 2005

In this paper, I outline the history of Pakistan's experience with "Islamic" laws and their impact on women. I also trace the links between the state, nationalism, religion, and women's organizations, and demonstrate how they have shaped women's lives in Pakistan. I focus ...