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Conservatism in Pakistan (Urdu: پاکستان میں قدامت پسندی) generally relates to the traditional, social, and religious identities in the politics of Pakistan. American historian Stephen Cohen describes several political constants in Pakistan's conservatism: respect for tradition, the rule of law and the Islamic religion which is integral in the idea of Pakistan.[1]
The conservative philosophy, principles, ideas, and traditions were first adopted by the Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan as part of his internal policies in 1950. The conservative tradition has played a major role in Pakistani politics, culture, and organized conservative movement has played a key role in politics only since the 1950s. According to the CIA database, approximately 95–97% of the Pakistani people are the followers of Islam while the remaining believe in Christianity, Hinduism, and others.[2][3][4]
The conservatism movement in Pakistan has been normally associated with the Pakistan Muslim League (PML)– the successor party to the one which was responsible for the founding of Pakistan.[5][6] Dominant and influential section of the PML is led by its extended PML(N), which is currently led by its leader and the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, elected in general elections held in 2013.[6] Nonetheless, the conservative vote bank of the country partitioned equally between the PML(N) and the centrist PTI of Imran Khan on the topics mainly concerning the foreign policy, national, and social issues. In 2018, the conservative votebank eventually switched to PTI when Imran Khan was sworn as Prime Minister who defeated PML's candidate Shahbaz Sharif in the nationwide general elections.
- ^ Cohen, Stephen P.; others (October 2011). The future of Pakistan. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press. ISBN 978-0815721819.
- ^ "Religions: Islam 95%, other (includes Christian and Hindu, 2% Ahmadiyyah) 5%". CIA. The World Factbook on Pakistan. 2010. Archived from the original on 17 June 2009. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
- ^ "Pakistan, Islam in". Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
Approximately 97 percent of Pakistanis are Muslims.
- ^ "Muslim Population—Statistics About the Muslim Population of the World". About.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ Cohen, Stephen P. (2004). The idea of Pakistan (1. paperback ed.). Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 2004. p. 10. ISBN 0815715021.
conservatism in pakistan Muslim League (N).
- ^ a b Zaidi, S. Akbar (24 May 2013). "More than One Conservatism". Beta. Dawn Area Studies. Retrieved 29 July 2013.