Since its formation Pakistan has changed between military and civilian rule. Both military and civilian rulers have failed the people and let the nation drift from one crisis to another. The people have now lost hope for any real improvement in their standard of living and welfare of the nation from the present political and military leaders.

The Supreme Court ruling allowing Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan has opened the door for his return to Pakistani politics. Benazir Bhutto has also made her intention clear to return to Pakistani politics. Many observers believe that moves are afoot to relieve Musharraf from the increasing opposition that he is facing from the people.

Many Muslims from Pakistan and beyond are asking themselves why the only candidates to look after their affairs are proven to be crooked and corrupt. Musharraf’s sell out to the US, Nawaz Sharif’s humiliating stance at Kargil and Benazir’s corruption comes to the mind when these names are mentioned.

The Need for Functional Politics

For any nation to competently manage its affairs at least some of its people must propose, debate and implement solutions to problems faced domestically and internationally. How should the basic infrastructure like roads, electricity, clean water and other necessities be provided for the people? How should a nation develop its literacy, how can economic opportunities be created? What should be the basis of relations with other nations, how should the nation deal with external threats? It is the politicians that deal with these issues. Unfortunately, the politicians in Pakistan have failed miserably in this regard. They have accepted a secular framework in which to work, that does not allow them to achieve satisfactory solutions to the issues faced by the Muslim masses and society. Pakistan, despite its huge potential languishes in the ranks of failed states and third world nations.

A False Choice

The likes of Bhutto and Sharif are the only choices presented to the Muslims as people that can run the country. Muslims are given a false choice. If the Muslims of Pakistan are sick and tired of US proxy Musharraf then the alternative cannot be further corrupt, civilian rule. This sham of alternating civilian and military rule has gone on for the past few decades.

Those who profess Islam have discredited the Islamic alternative due to a lack of principles. Taking seats in parliament has silenced the Islamic parties in the eyes of many. They are perceived as having a vested interest in keeping the situation as it is.

Poisoned Politics

Pakistan was established in the name of Islam, as a state for Muslims. Unfortunately this vision has not truly been realised. The politics of Pakistan have been based on a cocktail of un-Islamic political thought and alien ideologies.

This is not just the case for Pakistan but the entire Muslim world. When they left, the colonial powers knew that they must ensure that such newly ‘independent’ countries remained politically dependent. They ensured that the politics in such countries should still serve them. The politicians within them would serve to line their own pockets and preserve the interests of the colonial nations. They made sure anyone in politics was in fact aligned to their way of thinking and dependent upon them to formulate polices. Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Washington DC at the height of the Kargil crisis to seek what to do and Musharraf’s usage of Neo-cons language when addressing the so called “war on terror” in Pakistan, are clear examples.

Such individuals have no basis apart from self-interest, ego and a smattering of patriotism to base their politics upon. They are entirely dependent upon the enemies of their people to formulate their policies. This is why Pakistan has failed politically since its inception. The political atmosphere has been corrupted ensuring that the politicians cannot effectively rule the country and Pakistan moves from one crisis to another.

Breaking The Political Shackles

However, Muslims are rejecting the false political choices put in front of them. Muslims are searching for a politics that gives an alternative to the misery inflicted upon them by the present system. What Pakistan requires like the rest of the Muslim world is a shift in thinking. Increasingly people are realising that a more radical change is required, a break from the past.

Islam and Khilafah

For Pakistan to truly progress it needs politicians that can look after its affairs both domestically and internationally. The failure of the likes of Musharraf, Sharif and Benazir show that the existing form of politics is inadequate. This is because it is based upon western political thought, an alien thought compared to the Islamic systems and civilisation. The Muslim Ummah must return to looking after their affairs on the basis of Islam alone. It is only then that they can proceed in all aspects of life.

Without the Khilafah ruling system, the politics of Pakistan will continue in its chaotic, confused and corrupt path. This will make it easy for its enemies to destroy it, enslaving its people and resigning them to a life of misery and despondency. The Khilafah ruling system will allow statesman and politicians to enter into politics, allowing them to discharge their energies for the betterment of society. If the political framework in Pakistan is not changed only the faces will change but the corruption will remain.