The Role of Ulema as a Pressure Group in Policy-Making in Pakistan

Abstract

This paper investigated the ongoing debate in academia about the role and responsibilities of ulema in society and particularly in policy-making in Pakistan. Ulema, or Islamic scholars, have played a significant role in the policy-making process in Pakistan. They have been able to do so because of their religious authority and the influence they have over the Pakistani public. Ulemas have been able to influence policy in several ways. They have lobbied the government to adopt policies that are in line with Islamic law, and they have also been able to mobilize public opinion against policies that they disagree with. In some cases, ulemas have even been able to bring down governments. It is important to note that not all ulama agree on every issue. There are a variety of different schools of thought within Islam, and the ulema often disagree on how to interpret Islamic law. This leads to divisions within the ulema community, and it also makes it difficult for ulema to speak with a unified voice on certain issues. Despite these divisions, ulema continue to play a significant role in Pakistani society. They are respected by many Pakistanis, and they have a strong influence over public opinion. The factors and motivations behind the influence and their impact on policy-making in general and on society in particular are discussed in this paper. Furthermore, this paper also discusses the implications or effects of the ulema’s pressure on specifically progressive and secular policymaking in Pakistan. This paper focuses specifically on those ulema that possess a traditional, or, in other words, conservative, approach towards progressive policymaking in Pakistan.