(By Ayesha Mahnoor)
The State of Pakistani Politics Today
In Pakistan, a nation founded on the ideals of Islamic justice and self-determination, politics has become synonymous with betrayal, corruption, and self-enrichment. According to the common perception, the current phase of political activity is in the hands of people who are so self-serving and devoid of religious (moral) values that their misconduct leads people to detest politics itself. This sentiment resonates deeply in the Pakistani context, where dynastic families, military interventions, and elite capture have turned governance into a tool for personal gain rather than public welfare.
From the Panama Papers exposing offshore wealth of political elites like the Sharifs and Zardaris, to the recurring cycles of corruption scandals under successive governments—be it the PML-N’s alleged misuse of public funds in infrastructure projects or the PTI’s accusations of electoral rigging—the public treasury is looted under the guise of “serving the people” and “development.” Slogans of prosperity mask the transfer of national wealth abroad, while inflation, unemployment, and energy crises erode public trust.
Politics in Pakistan has become a dirty word. For most citizens, it means corruption, lies, and betrayal. It is the reason why:
- A child in Thar dies of malnutrition while billions vanish in “development” schemes.
- A young engineer in Lahore drives a rickshaw because merit is crushed by sifarish.
- A widow in Quetta waits 15 years for justice because courts are clogged and judges intimidated.
This is not governance. This is organized theft.
The Core Problems
| Problem | Reality in Pakistan |
|---|---|
| Dynastic Rule | 70% of federal cabinet posts since 2008 held by 15 families. |
| Money in Politics | Election spending per seat: PKR 500 million (ECP estimates). |
| No Accountability | NAB recovered only 2% of claimed looted wealth (2020–2024). |
| Military Dominance | 4 direct martial laws; “hybrid” regimes. |
| Voter Apathy | Turnout: 48% in 2024. Youth: 65% say “politics is not for honest people.” |
Politics is now a business, not public service. The return on investment? A National Assembly seat costs PKR 300–500 million but delivers PKR 2–5 billion in contracts, licenses, and influence over five years.
The True Essence of Politics: A Sacred Trust
Politics is not such a thing. Rather, politics is a beautiful and excellent process that establishes the principles for human life and the protection of the world. Within its every concept lie the profound meanings of welfare and reform.
Islamic philosophers defined it with divine clarity:
- Imam Al-Ghazali:“Those measures (tadabir) that create mutual love, cooperation, and unity among members of society within the scope and means of life.”
- Allama Ibn Khaldun:“Politics and sovereignty are the task of guarding the creation, ensuring and guaranteeing their interests. This is a vicegerency (Niyabat) of God, implementing and enforcing God’s commands among His servants.”
- Imam Shah Waliullah:“Politics is the name given to establishing, forming, and implementing justice and fairness, benevolence (Ehsan), and the best law of transactions and society within the state, guided by Sacred Wisdom (Hikmat-e-Shariah).”
- Allama Shamsul Haq Afghani:“Politics is a system in which the rights of God and the rights of humanity are protected. The rule is that if this politics is absent, both these rights will cease to exist.”
This is not optional. This is divine duty.
Politics as an Integral Part of Islam
Any action that leads to justice and fairness is part of Sharia. Is politics not the name given to the protection of God’s creation (Khalq-e-Khuda) and their interests (masalih)? If so, how can politics not be part of Islam?
Islam considers following its golden principles and implementing them to be superior to many individual acts.
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Allah remains in the aid of His servant as long as the servant remains in the aid of his brother.”
And:
“The creation is the family of Allah. The best person in the sight of Allah is the one who treats His creation kindly.”
The Quran declares (4:114):
“There is no good in much of their secret conversation, except for those who enjoin charity, or good (Ma’roof), or reconciliation between people.”
All three — charity, good, reconciliation — are social collectivism (Ijtima’iyat). This is politics in action.
Islam detailed its system of state, jihad, and judiciary. None can be implemented without politics.
The Inevitability of Politics for Implementing Law
Allama Shamsul Haq Afghani warned:
If Islam were just a collection of formal rituals, one might argue that politics should be separated from religion.
But the Quran contains punitive laws (ta’zirati qanoon):
- “The female [thief] and the male [thief], cut off their hands…” (5:38)
- Highway robbery: one hand and one foot
- Murder: Qisas (just retribution)
These laws cannot be enforced without a state — without politics.
Even jizya (9:29) — a tax for protection — is the soul of politics: diplomacy, justice, and governance.
“Since all components of politics exist in the Quran, following the religion is only possible when there is politics.” — Durus-ul-Quran, Vol. 3, Page 305
Separate religion from politics, and the soul departs from Islam.
What Politics Should Be — Globally Proven
Politics is how we organize society for collective good:
| Country | Political Reform | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| USA | GI Bill (1944) | 8 million veterans got free college → middle class boom. |
| Sweden | Universal childcare | Female workforce: 82%. Child poverty: <2%. |
| South Korea | Anti-corruption + meritocracy | GDP per capita: $1,600 (1980) → $35,000 (2025). |
Pakistan can do the same — if we reclaim politics as sacred duty.
The 10-Point Islamic-Democratic Revolution
| Reform | Islamic Anchor | Practical Tool |
|---|---|---|
| 1. End Dynastic Rule | Justice (Adl) — Shah Waliullah | Ban family succession for 15 years |
| 2. Public Election Funding | Amanah (Trust) | PKR 20M per candidate (Germany model) |
| 3. Independent ECP | Vicegerency (Niyabat) — Ibn Khaldun | Bipartisan + judicial appointment |
| 4. Local Govt Empowerment | Mutual Cooperation — Al-Ghazali | 30% budget to districts (Indonesia) |
| 5. Merit-Based Bureaucracy | Ehsan | KPI promotions (Singapore) |
| 6. Digital Judiciary | Swift Justice — Shah Waliullah | 90% cases in 1 year (Estonia) |
| 7. Independent Accountability | Rights of God & Man — Afghani | IAC with lifestyle audits (USA SEC) |
| 8. Youth & Women in Power | Aid to Brother — Hadith | 33% quota under 40 |
| 9. Civic Education | Enjoin Good (Ma’roof) — Quran 4:114 | Mock elections in schools |
| 10. National Dialogue Convention | Reconciliation — Quran | New social contract by 2026 |
How It Changes Lives
| Reform | Impact on a Common Pakistani |
|---|---|
| Local empowerment | A mother in Sukkur gets clean water because her mayor answers to her. |
| Digital courts | A shopkeeper in Peshawar recovers PKR 500,000 in 6 months. |
| Youth quota | A 28-year-old female engineer from Multan passes STEM scholarship law. |
| Zakat enforcement | A widow in Quetta receives pension without begging. |
Roadmap: 2026–2035
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2026 | National Dialogue Convention → New social contract |
| 2027 | Public funding + IAC launched |
| 2028 | Digital courts in 50 districts |
| 2030 | Tax-to-GDP: 15% |
| 2035 | Top 50 on Corruption Index |
This Is Jihad — The Best Kind
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“The best jihad is a word of truth in front of a tyrant ruler.”
Every honest vote, every clean candidate, every demand for justice is jihad for a better Pakistan.
Pakistan’s youth are 64% of the population. If 10 million demand Islamic-democratic politics in 2026, no dynasty, no general, no donor can stop them.
Conclusion
Politics is not the problem. Bad politics is.
Reclaim it with Al-Ghazali’s love, Ibn Khaldun’s vicegerency, Shah Waliullah’s justice, and Afghani’s rights.
Let 2026 be the year Pakistan restores politics as worship — service to Allah’s creation, through service to His people.
“Nations are not built by slogans. They are built by systems — guided by Sacred Wisdom.”
Let’s build the system. Let’s begin now.
