Ziaism

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Ziaism is a political ideology implemented in Pakistan from 1978 to 1988 by Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq.[1] The ideology endorses the idea of an Islamic state, influenced heavily by religion.[2] It includes Islamic laws, industrialisation, militarism and authoritarianism.[3] Zia and his doctrine are widely credited with making political Islam an influential movement within Pakistan, turning a relatively secular country into one that was based on Islamic law.[4]

General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, who lays the foundation of Ziaism.

The ideology attracts much controversy, especially in Pakistan, where religious and secular ideas collide. With right-wing Pakistanis predominantly endorsing Zia's doctrine, while moderate Muslims and left-wing Pakistanis condemning it, comparing Ziaism to Islamofascism.[5]

History

Pakistan, when found in 1947, did not immediately become an Islamic state. It stayed as a dominion until 1956, when the first constitution was adopted.[6] Only then did Pakistan declare Islam to be the state religion. However, the leadership of Ayub Khan continued a secular form of government,[7] until the premiership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Bhutto, despite initially coming on a secular platform, found himself under pressure by Islamists to push religion into governance. Under pressure, he branded Ahmadis as non-Muslims,[8] banned alcohol[9] and tolerated Islamist ideas. This would pave the way to Zia's rise to power and his subsequent leadership.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the ninth Prime Minister of Pakistan. He introduced increasingly Islamic laws due to political pressure. He would eventually be overthrown by Zia-ul-Haq himself in Operation Fair Play.

After Operation Fair Play, Zia had assumed the role of Chief Martial Law Administrator. He then proceeded to implement Islamist ideas, such as Islamic law.[10] This included the criminalisation of adultery,[11] fornication, and blasphemy,[12] using unconventional ways of punishments to punish offenders, such as flogging, amputation, and stoning.[13]

Ziaism did not only influence political and religious matters, but also ones concerning economics, and foreign policy. His approach to foreign affairs would strengthen Pakistan's role as a regional power,[14] by spreading its military influence internally[15] and externally.[16]

Society

Ziaism advocates for Islam to dictate every single way of life, however, there is debate on which kind of Islam should. For example, while Ziaist Pakistan had an emphasis on Deobandi Islam being an inspiration for law and general society,[1] the Islamic Republic of Iran based theirs on Twelver Shia Islam. This resulted in varying differences between the two societies, despite the latter's influence from the former.

Law

Ziaist rule advocates for all institutions to adhere to religious law, from everything regarding to property to punishment.[14]

A man being flogged due to seducing a woman in 1970s Islamabad.

Corporal punishment and amputation for crimes are a common way of punishing a criminal in Ziaist ideology. For example, stealing is punished by amputation of the left hand.[17] While flogging is used for the crimes of rape,[18] adultery, and protesting for freedom of the press.[19][20] These punishments would be orchestrated in public view, with a microphone positioned near the convict’s mouth for the crowd to hear.[21]

These punishments would be designed to ignite fear throughout the common populace, in order to deter reoffenders. These convicts would often be convicted for crimes according to Islamic law, such as drinking and premarital sex. Such punishments would also be designed to humiliate the convict, by naming them and their alleged crimes, and exposing the men’s buttocks towards the crowd, who would often be apathetic.[21]

Recreation

Alcohol was already banned under the tenure of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto,[9] but was emphasised by Zia’s ideology. 80 lashes would be given to a Muslim offender caught consuming alcohol, while non-Muslims could sell and drink alcohol (although only with a government permit).[22] Nightclubs, bars and cinemas were shut down, and Pakistani nightlife, especially in the city of Karachi, was deeply affected due to the religious laws that were implemented.[23]

Pakistani cinema was also heavily curtailed, with the state heavily censoring films that did not align with government philosophy. Due to this heavy censorship, Pakistani cinema had steeply declined to around 20 films in 2005.[24] Zia’s ideology believed in using public cinemas in order to spread state propaganda and prevent dissent amongst the common populace.[25]

Military

Ziaism puts an emphasis of military power, especially over civilian institutions.[26] An aggressive foreign military policy may also be affiliated, as seen in Zia's aggressive meddling in Afghanistan and India.[16] Militarism is a central value in Ziaist ideology, relying on a strong military in order to protect the country’s self interests, as well as hold sway over the country’s institutions.

This was seen in Zia’s Pakistan, where he established military courts, giving military officers judicial power, allowing them to issue imprisonments and corporal punishments, such as amputation or flogging.[27] These officers are promoted regarding their loyalty to the government in order to ensure religious law and subservience to the state.

Zia rewarding the Hilal-i-Imtiaz to Shamim Alam Khan.

Economics

Ziaism ideology relies on a capitalist form of government, endorsing deregulation of the economy, and reducing state affairs in it. This is done in order to encourage private sector activity, and encourage economic growth.[28] In Zia’s Pakistan, these economic reforms were done in order to reverse Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s nationalisation policies, which had brought economic decline and rampant corruption.[29]

The ideology expands on a nation using its religious character in order to boost economic leverage. For example, under Zia's Pakistan, he took advantage of Pakistan's Islamic image in order to create favourable economic links with the oil-producing Arab states, as well as securing Pakistan's “security and territorial sovereignty.”[30]

Ziaism also endorses an Islamic “interest-free” banking system.[31]

Criticism

Many figures, both inside Pakistan and outside have criticised Ziaism as an oppressive ideology. It is described as “illiberal” and “despotic”.[32] Democracy is not seen as a central virtue of the ideology, along with equal rights for minorities. Ziaism emphasises an Islamic society with little room for religious minorities, as when Zia ordered for the mass killings and rapes of Shias.[33][34]

Ziaism is also compared to an Islamic version of fascism.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b "PAKISTAN MUST CHOOSE BHUTTO-ISM OR ZIA-ISM". Australian Financial Review. Associated Press. 26 August 1988. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  2. ^ Ziring, Lawrence (1988). "Public Policy Dilemmas and Pakistan's Nationality Problem: The Legacy of Zia ul-Haq". Asian Survey. 28 (8): 795–812. doi:10.2307/2644587. ISSN 0004-4687. JSTOR 2644587.
  3. ^ "Pakistan Moves Toward Islamic Authoritarianism". Washington Post. 22 December 2023. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  4. ^ Jaffrelot, Christophe (2015). "From Jinnah's Secularism to Zia's Islamism". The Pakistan Paradox: Instability and Resilience. Oxford University Press. pp. 439–480. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190235185.003.0009. ISBN 9780190235185. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b Arif, Mazhar (July 2011). "Drifting towards fascism – The rise of 'Ziaism' in Pakistan". Europe Solidaire Sans Frontières. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Senate of Pakistan". senate.gov.pk. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  7. ^ Jaffrelot, Christophe (2018). "Secularity without Secularism in Pakistan: The Politics of Islam from Sir Syed to Zia". In Madeley, John; Künkler, Mirjam; Shankar, Shylashri (eds.). A Secular Age beyond the West: Religion, Law and the State in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. Cambridge Studies in Social Theory, Religion and Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 152–184. doi:10.1017/9781108278195.008. ISBN 978-1-108-40561-4. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  8. ^ Introvigne, Massimo (22 September 2021). "The Persecution of the Ahmadis in Pakistan. 3. The Bhutto and Zia Years". Bitter Winter. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  9. ^ a b Paracha, Nadeem F. (19 June 2018). "The curious history of prohibition (and alcohol consumption) in Pakistan". Scroll.in. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  10. ^ Fineman, Mark (16 June 1988). "Pakistan's Zia Decrees Islamic Law for Nation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Pakistan Amends Adultery Law For Women". CBS News. 7 July 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  12. ^ Kuru, Ahmet T. (6 February 2023). "The politics of blasphemy: Why Pakistan and some other Muslim countries are passing new blasphemy laws". The Conversation. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Zia's Islam Metes Strict Tolls". Washington Post. 25 December 2023. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Pakistan - Zia-ul-Haq, Military Rule, Islamization". Britannica. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  15. ^ Naidu, A. G. (1989). "Pakistan After Zia-Ul-Haq: Islamabad's Policy Options". The Indian Journal of Political Science. 50 (3): 321–334. ISSN 0019-5510. JSTOR 41855437.
  16. ^ a b "General Ziaul Haq: The cause of Kashmir and Afghanistan". The Express Tribune. 17 August 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  17. ^ "From the archive, 11 July 1977: General Zia steps back to law of knife | Pakistan". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  18. ^ "100,000 Pakistanis See Flogging". The New York Times. 21 October 1977. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Journalists flogged during Zia's time say they were proud of 'punishment'". The Express Tribune. 14 May 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  20. ^ Aziz, Shaikh (3 May 2015). "A leaf from history: Four journalists flogged, two newspapers shut". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  21. ^ a b Iqbal, Anwar (29 December 2012). "An end is a beginning too". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  22. ^ Paracha, Nadeem F. (22 September 2011). "Haan mein peeta hoon!". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  23. ^ "The day the music died - why Karachi lost its groove during Ziaul Haq's regime". The Express Tribune. 3 November 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  24. ^ "The fall and rise of Pakistani film". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  25. ^ Abro, Soonha (30 July 2013). "Directed by the state". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  26. ^ Kamm, Henry (18 August 1988). "AN UNCLEAR SUCCESSION; Zia's Dominance Leaves No One in Line But Military Is Likely to Maintain Control". The New York Times.
  27. ^ "Zia Ends Military Rule in Pakistan, But Holds On to Power". Washington Post. 28 December 2023. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  28. ^ "What were the key economic reforms in Pakistan under Zia-ul-Haq?". www.tutorchase.com. Retrieved 17 February 2024.[better source needed]
  29. ^ "Bhutto's economic policies were disastrous for Pakistan". The Express Tribune. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  30. ^ Ali, Mehrunnisa (1977). "General Mohammed Zia-Ul-Haq's Visit to Muslim Countries". Pakistan Horizon. 30 (3/4): 103–107. ISSN 0030-980X. JSTOR 41393337.
  31. ^ Pal, Izzud-Din (January 1994). "Pakistan and the question of Riba". Middle Eastern Studies. 30 (1): 64–78. doi:10.1080/00263209408700983. ISSN 0026-3206.
  32. ^ Ehsan, Muhammad Ali (10 April 2021). "From boomers to millennials". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  33. ^ Hunzai, Izhar. "Conflict Dynamics in Gilgit-Baltistan". Columbia International Affairs Online. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  34. ^ Manji, Zamena Manekia (22 June 2023). "What the Mountains Hide: Remembering the Harrowing Massacre in Gilgit - TMJ News Network". Retrieved 11 February 2024.
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