Hypocrisy of the Religious Parties

Religious parties have been an important player in the power game inside the country. Some are very well organized and have a robust network across the country and have mustered educated classes as well within their ranks, like Jamat-e-Islami (JI) but most of the religious parties rely heavily on their chains of Madressah’s and over the years, have entrenched themselves deep into country’s rural and conservative social fabric.

Apart from all religious parties, JI advocates or let’s say, pretends it advocates comparatively liberal ideas which at times is visible in their corner meetings with a heavy participation of women but in essence it is no different to those of its kin, the religions parties of “the right”

What is common in all the religious proponents is, they detest mainstream political parties, at least publicly yet they feel no qualms in sharing power with the very parties, given a slightest chance.

Since the creation of Pakistan, major religious parties were opposed to the basic edifice of the state upon which Pakistan stood, but come few years and they all are flag bearer of the same country sidelining and mocking those who played important role in the freedom movement.

When the war against terror started and Pakistan as a country was forced to play a front line state’s role, all the religious parties opposed the course taken by the govt. of president Musharraf terming him “ally of the infidels” and some even issued decrees against him calling for his instant elimination by whatsoever means. Throughout the country, religious fervors were invoked resulting in city-wise strikes and closure of main highways employing bandits at their disposal.

Taking such extreme positions is not uncommon in Pakistani politics but what makes them a laughing stock is, that they share supper with those in evening whom they oppose in the middle of the day.

Can anyone earn credibility by running with hare and hunting with hounds?

And lest we forget when Musharraf’s govt. was at its weakest, pivotal support came none other than the same religions parties against lawyer’s onslaught during the movement for the restoration of higher judiciary. Almost every mainstream political party was demanding Musharraf’s resignation but the beacons of righteousness were busy securing their safe return to the coming assemblies, cutting underhand deals with the dictator to pave the way for his 2^nd term to be approved from the same assembly which had no mandate for it in return expecting a free run and states support come elections.

When the war on terror was in full swing and Americans intensified drone campaigns in federally administrated tribal areas (FATA) of Pakistan, the religious parties were quick to pour their cadres all across the country with “crush America” slogans, burning properties of the state and the commoners, shuttering down whole cities, making life more miserable for the citizens.

What the best militaries of the world have to learn from the religious parties of Pakistan is you can defeat a distant enemy by burning tires and American flags on the highways and if still something is left of the enemy, go and torch nearby shops and take out cash from the ATMs with a smack of wooden or iron rods.

What a waste of such a genuine talent.

Recently when American president Donald J. Trump announced his plan to relocate US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, claimed its capital by Israel, religious parties of Pakistan responded with countrywide rallies and declarations of “never to accept Jerusalem as Israeli capital” as if someone on earth is asking for their approval or does care about what they accept or reject.

America is still a super power and cannot be cowed down with “crush America” the sooner we understand the better it will be for us as a nation. Had I had a speck of hope in this exercise in futility, I would gladly have been a crusader in this cause myself.

Why are we not choosing the path which took the other great nations to glory with focus on research and new technologies? The world is conquering the space and discovering new avenues whereas we are stuck in rampant rallies and orgy of public violence.

Our scholars’ and patriarchs’ claim to be in eternal duel with the imperial powers, but they can’t even win a local constituency seat on their own and for that too they have to bow to the powers, they claim to oppose or their local pimps. Considered one of the most influential religious leaders, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, offered his services to the American ambassador in Islamabad and promised to do its bidding in return for the super power’s support which could ascend his rise to premiership back in late 2000s as per the WikiLeaks. But publicly the same Maulana has been America’s greatest challenger, or at least he claims to be.

Should we take such Jokers seriously?