Pakistan Political System: Regional and Religious Groups (Term Paper Sample)

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Nation Case Study: Pakistan
The struggle that led to Pakistan’s independence from the British rule was driven by the need to create an independent Muslim state. This struggle spearheaded by Muhammed Ali Jinnah lead to the formation of Pakistan on August 14, 1947, and consequent separation from the Indian British colony. The separations lead to the formation of two independent states; India and Pakistan. Events that lead to the separation of the() two states led to the flight of over 15 million refugees across the borders between the new states when Muslims and the Hindu went to war (Nutt & Jean, 83). The Muslim in India crossed the border into Pakistan while the Hindu in Pakistan moved into India.
India also went to war with Pakistan over control of Kashmir. This state was eventually portioned between the two states by the United Nations in a bid to end the war. The United Nations succeeded in ending the fight over the control of Kashmir.
Due to continued internal tensions in Pakistan, the state of Bangladesh seceded to form an independent state.
Its coalition and treaties with other countries have created conflict internally and externally. In 1954, Pakistan signed a mutual defense assistance agreement with the USA to counter India’s hegemonic status in the region (Grover et al. 415).
The Pakistan-Afghanistan border is the first source of external conflict. Afghanistan known for religious extremism and hardcore terrorism is yet to defeat militants and terrorists. Terror activities spearheaded by the Al-Qaeda whose operations overlap from Afghanistan into Pakistan continue to harm this Islamic nation.
After US Marines killed Osama bin Laden in 2009, there were sharp concerns that he had sought refuge for more than two years in Pakistan. The US criticized the Pakistani intelligence and government for not providing the lead to the Al Qaeda’s leader whereabouts.
After the Al-Qaeda had bombed the US on September 11 attacks, Pakistan signed an agreement with the US allowing the establishment of the military station by the US. This would be a military cooperation between the two governments. However, foreign militia groups such as Al-Qaida and internal hardcore Islamic group took the issues with heavy concern. The Al-Qaida operations overlap through Afghanistan. Therefore, their activity has a direct impact on the stability of Pakistan.
Minority groups in Pakistan, especially at the borders, are also faced with an identity crisis. Groups such as the Abaluchis who are on both sides of the Pakistan and Iran border have their reservations about the concept of Pakistan nationalism. The Baluchis to a greater extent feels that Pakistan imposed on them its nationalist ideologies. One other group facing similar identity issues in Pakistan is the Pakthuns who reside on both sides of the Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Pakthuns even consider themselves Afghanis than Pakistan. Such concerns and demands by groups due to their cultural, ethnic or tribal are a great challenge to the stability of Pakistan and the concept of nationalism (Chengappa 2004).
The influence of the Taliban on the government also has played a major role in the religious and political system of Pakistan. The Taliban has come out severally declaring that the legal system in Pakistan is un-Islamic. This undermines the essence of Pakistans creation on Islamic grounds. In an interview with CNN, Taliban spokesperson Muslim Khan demanded that Islamic Sharia law is imposed countrywide and in Pakistan’s legal system.
There have been several coups in Pakistan that led to the federal governments. The coups occurred in 1959, 1977 and 1999.
Pakistan follows the 1973 constitution that established a bicameral parliament. The constitution establishes the office of the president, the national assembly and the senate. The national assembly of Pakistan website gives the following statistics. The National Assembly comprises 342 members. 60 seats for women, ten for Muslims, in accordance by Article 51 of the 1973 constitution.
Businessman Mamnoon Hussein is the current president of Pakistan. He came into power after winning the 2013 elections. The president is the head of state and is mandated with the appointment of cabinet secretaries and administering their oaths of office. He appoints and admits diplomats.
Mian Muhammed Nawaz Shariff is Pakistan’s Prime Minister. He leads the majority party in Pakistan’s parliament...