Secularism in Pakistan
Pakistan was founded on the concept of the two-nation theory, which was largely based on Muslim nationalism. The Zia-ul-Haq administration in the 1980s decade was anti-secular and Islamist. The supporters of Islamism assert that Pakistan was founded as a Muslim state and that in its status as an Islamic republic, it must thereby implement Islamic laws, known as Sharia. On the other hand, secularists describe that Muhammad Ali Jinnah wanted a state where religious oligarchy will be absent and all Muslims will be liberal, he envisioned for a progressive and liberal Muslim state of Pakistan. The Constitution of Pakistan also prohibits non-muslims from becoming Prime Minister or President.
One of Pakistan's most popular media outlets, Dawn, was originally founded by Jinnah and still identifies as secular. Other popular media outlets like Express Tribune, Daily Times, and Pakistan Today also identify on a liberal and progressive platform.
History
The 1949 Objectives Resolution envisaged an official role for Islam as the state religion. The state retained most of the laws that were inherited from the secular British legal code that had been enforced by the British Raj since the 19th century.In 1956, the state adopted the name of the "Islamic Republic of Pakistan", declaring Islam as the official religion.
Objectives resolution
Early in the history of the state of Pakistan, a parliamentary resolution was adopted :This resolution later became key source of inspiration for writers of Constitution of Pakistan and is included in constitution as preamble.
Islamization
As a reaction to the bifurcation of Pakistan in 1971, Islamic political parties began to see an increase in popular support. In the 1970s, the populist and elected Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto caved in to a major demand of the Islamic parties by declaring the Ahmadiyya Community to be non-Muslims. Under the constitution of 1973, Bhutto also banned alcohol, gambling and night clubs.Bhutto was overthrown in 1977 by Chief of Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq, who went considerably further with the formal campaign of Islamization of Pakistan.
Secularization
The Ayub Khan's administration in the 1960s decade was secular and modernist, he renamed the country from 'Islamic Republic of Pakistan' to 'Republic of Pakistan' in 1962 through constitutional change and in 1964 he banned the Islamist political party Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan.Pakistan elected Muslim world's first female prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 1988. She did not repeal most of the Islamic laws of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and General Zia-ul-Haq, but promoted secularism through media, cultural policies, general policy making and style of governance, etc.
Military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf promoted secularism under the banner of Enlightened Moderation during his nine years long military rule.
Benazir Bhutto's assassination in 2007 and the murder of Salman Taseer in 2011, a Pakistani politician calling for the removal of the blasphemy laws, have provoked secularists in Pakistani politics, media and civil society. Government led by Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party has followed the legacy of Benazir Bhutto's secular style of governance during five years long period.