❖ Examining the Constitution of Pakistan and the Extremism of Secular Elements ❖
Pakistan’s Constitution gives central and foundational status to Islam. Several articles of the Constitution explicitly affirm that all affairs of the state must be conducted in accordance with Islamic principles.
However, certain secular groups often express hesitation or outright rejection of these Islamic provisions.
Despite these clear provisions:
✘ Secular activists argue that the state should have no religion.
✘ They challenge Articles 31 and 227 while still claiming to support constitutionalism.
Is this commitment to democracy and constitutional values — or is it ideological defiance in the name of “secular freedom”?
✔ Article 37 demands the prohibition of vulgar literature and advertisements.
✘ In contrast, Pakistani media frequently broadcasts content that violates this constitutional mandate.
When questioned, media personnel respond by asking, “What exactly is vulgarity?”
✔ Rather than enforcing the law, those raising concerns are often ridiculed, and the violations continue unchecked.
✔ This article guarantees freedom of expression, subject to reasonable restrictions:
✘ But when attempts are made to enforce these boundaries, media voices protest, saying, “Then most channels will have to shut down!”
Why should media be treated as above the Constitution?
✔ The Constitution requires the Prime Minister to be a Muslim.
✘ Yet, secular groups advocate for allowing non-Muslims to hold this position, which is directly contrary to constitutional mandates.
✔ The Constitution obligates the state to eliminate riba (interest).
✘ However, when Shariat courts ruled against interest-based systems, the government challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court.
Why contradict a constitutional directive so openly?
✔ The Constitution classifies Qadiyanis as non-Muslims and imposes specific restrictions:
✘ Despite this, some secular voices refer to them as “Qadiyani Muslims” and campaign on their behalf.
✔ This ideology is also evident in the celebration of Dr. Abdus Salam while simultaneously criticizing Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, reflecting deep ideological bias.
One side demands a fully theocratic state, ignoring democratic pluralism.
The other side wants to remove Islamic provisions, ignoring the very identity and democratic choices of Pakistan.
✔ Both represent extremes — and both deviate from the Constitution.
The Constitution of Pakistan defines a clear path — where Islam holds central authority, but within a democratic and legal framework.
✘ Both religious and secular extremists reject this balance in pursuit of their own ideologies.
✔ The need of the hour is to understand and implement the Constitution in its true spirit — to ensure a balanced and peaceful society grounded in principle and law
✿ Islam and the Constitution of Pakistan
Pakistan’s Constitution gives central and foundational status to Islam. Several articles of the Constitution explicitly affirm that all affairs of the state must be conducted in accordance with Islamic principles.
However, certain secular groups often express hesitation or outright rejection of these Islamic provisions.
① Foundational Constitutional Articles on Religion
✔ Article 2:
- Declares Islam as the state religion of Pakistan.
- Recognizes Allah as the Supreme Sovereign.
- Obligates the state to establish a system based on Qur’ān and Sunnah that governs both individual and collective life.
✔ Article 31:
- Mandates the state to provide facilities for Muslims to lead their lives according to Islamic teachings.
- Emphasizes the need for education and awareness based on Qur’ān and Sunnah.
- Assigns responsibility to the state for promoting Islamic moral standards.
✔ Article 227:
- Requires all existing laws to conform to Islam.
- No law shall be enacted repugnant to the Qur’ān and Sunnah.
② Secular Extremism or Constitutional Defiance?
Despite these clear provisions:
✘ Secular activists argue that the state should have no religion.
✘ They challenge Articles 31 and 227 while still claiming to support constitutionalism.
Is this commitment to democracy and constitutional values — or is it ideological defiance in the name of “secular freedom”?③ Article 37 and the Media’s Role in Promoting Vulgarity
✔ Article 37 demands the prohibition of vulgar literature and advertisements.
✘ In contrast, Pakistani media frequently broadcasts content that violates this constitutional mandate.
When questioned, media personnel respond by asking, “What exactly is vulgarity?”
✔ Rather than enforcing the law, those raising concerns are often ridiculed, and the violations continue unchecked.
④ Article 19: Freedom of Speech — With Boundaries
✔ This article guarantees freedom of expression, subject to reasonable restrictions:
- Respect for Islam and its sanctities.
- Preservation of national security, dignity, and morality.
- Protection of ethical and cultural values.
✘ But when attempts are made to enforce these boundaries, media voices protest, saying, “Then most channels will have to shut down!”
Why should media be treated as above the Constitution?⑤ The Debate Over a Non-Muslim Prime Minister
✔ The Constitution requires the Prime Minister to be a Muslim.
- The oath for office includes belief in finality of Prophethood and Islamic values.
✘ Yet, secular groups advocate for allowing non-Muslims to hold this position, which is directly contrary to constitutional mandates.
⑥ Article 38 and the Elimination of Interest (Riba)
✔ The Constitution obligates the state to eliminate riba (interest).
✘ However, when Shariat courts ruled against interest-based systems, the government challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court.
Why contradict a constitutional directive so openly?⑦ The Qadiyani Issue and Article Enforcement
✔ The Constitution classifies Qadiyanis as non-Muslims and imposes specific restrictions:
- They cannot call themselves Muslims.
- Cannot refer to their worship places as mosques.
- Cannot imitate Islamic symbols.
✘ Despite this, some secular voices refer to them as “Qadiyani Muslims” and campaign on their behalf.
✔ This ideology is also evident in the celebration of Dr. Abdus Salam while simultaneously criticizing Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, reflecting deep ideological bias.
⑧ Religious and Secular Extremism: Both Violate the Constitution
One side demands a fully theocratic state, ignoring democratic pluralism. The other side wants to remove Islamic provisions, ignoring the very identity and democratic choices of Pakistan.✔ Both represent extremes — and both deviate from the Constitution.
Conclusion: Embracing Constitutional Balance
The Constitution of Pakistan defines a clear path — where Islam holds central authority, but within a democratic and legal framework.
✘ Both religious and secular extremists reject this balance in pursuit of their own ideologies.
✔ The need of the hour is to understand and implement the Constitution in its true spirit — to ensure a balanced and peaceful society grounded in principle and law
