Religion and politics have remained intimately intertwined in Pakistan right since its genesis. Political Islam not only laid the foundations of the nation state of Pakistan but also played a significant role in its day-to-day politics. Born in contradictions in undivided India and seeking to outpace the religion based politics of the Muslim League, the Jamaat-i-Islami waged a running battle with the ruling establishment of Pakistan. Ironically, the bitter opponent of Pakistan movement soon transformed into the sole defender of an Islamic state apparatus within Pakistan. In spite of its several limitations the Jamaat acquired a distinctive mass-mobilization capability in past – 1971 phase following the emergence of Bangladesh. During Zulfikar Ali Bhutto regime, the Jamaat succeeded in realising its twin basic objectives : ousting the Ahmadiyas from the pale of Islam and according the status of state religion from the pale of Islam and according the status of state religion to Islam in the 1973 constitution. General Zia’s military regime and the Afghan imbroglio brought the Jamaat into the forefront of Pakistan politics. Islamization programme introduced during the Zia era was deeply rooted in the theo-political ideology of Jamaat-i-Islami. In the post-Zia phase upto General Musharraf’s military regime the Jamaat has upheld its religio-political mission with great zeal and enthusiasm. The present study provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of Jamaat-i-Islami during the preceding five decades. Besides it focuses upon the prevailing contradictions and wavering socio-political issues facing contemporary Pakistan. In order to attain a popular mass base and Jamaat had to discard its obscurantist facist image and refashion its electoral strategy taking due cognizance of the people’s democratic aspirations.
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