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The Uneven Legacy of Islamization in Pakistan's Institutions

Miss Iqra Ali

Miss Iqra Ali, CSS GSA & Pakistan Affairs Coach, empowers aspirants expertly.

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6 August 2025

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This editorial critically analyzes the complex trajectory of Islamization in Pakistan, particularly its institutional, legal, and societal effects. Rooted in the Zia era but carried forward across successive governments, Islamization transformed Pakistan's legal codes, judiciary, economy, and educational system. The consequences have included not only constitutional confusion but also rising sectarian tensions, gender disparities, and a shrinking space for pluralism. This piece argues that while the appeal of religious legitimacy drove much of this transformation, the long-term costs have eroded institutional integrity and hindered inclusive development.

The Uneven Legacy of Islamization in Pakistan's Institutions

Few nations have been as deeply entangled in the post-9/11 global conflict as Pakistan, a country whose geographical location placed it at the epicenter of the War on Terror. Its alliance with the United States and other Western powers, while rooted in strategic logic, became one of the most painful and complicated chapters in its modern history. Pakistan’s involvement went far beyond mere cooperation, it became a battleground within and beyond its borders, with devastating consequences for its society, economy, and international image.

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After the September 2001 attacks, global attention turned swiftly toward Afghanistan, but it was Pakistan that found itself being asked to act as both partner and gatekeeper. Situated next to the Taliban-controlled areas, Pakistan was viewed as critical for success in the American-led effort to dismantle Al-Qaeda. The demands came swiftly and unequivocally. Air corridors had to be opened, intelligence had to be shared, and support had to be shown without conditions. The Pakistani leadership, under immense pressure, obliged. From logistical support and airbase access to high-profile intelligence captures, Islamabad became an active participant in a war that brought both recognition and blame.

The early days of cooperation did appear promising. Pakistan was praised for its swift response, including the arrest of key militants and facilitation of counterterrorism logistics. However, the domestic costs of this alignment emerged rapidly. More than 80,000 Pakistanis lost their lives in acts of terrorism between 2001 and 2020, including civilians, soldiers, and law enforcement personnel. This staggering figure alone reveals how deeply the country was scarred by the fallout. Militant groups retaliated by striking inside Pakistan’s heartlands, forcing the state to turn its gaze inward and respond militarily.

In 2014, Operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched in the North Waziristan region, one of the epicenters of insurgent activity. It was a carefully planned campaign to uproot entrenched networks, reclaim territory, and neutralize threats. This was followed by Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad in 2017, which aimed to consolidate gains across the country and carry out intelligence-based operations to eliminate remaining sleeper cells. These operations, although launched under pressure, reshaped the internal security landscape. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, acts of terrorism dropped by nearly 70 percent after 2017 as a result of these operations. Such numbers reflect the commitment on the ground and the scale of effort that Pakistan mobilized against militant forces within its own territory.

At the same time, the international perception of Pakistan grew increasingly cynical. The very allies who had relied on Pakistan’s cooperation began to question its sincerity. Repeated accusations of selective engagement, particularly regarding the Afghan Taliban and groups operating along the porous border, eroded trust. Events like the US raid in Abbottabad in 2011, which resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden, ignited global outrage and cast a long shadow over Pakistan’s credibility. Western narratives hardened, portraying Pakistan as complicit rather than committed. Despite receiving more than 33 billion dollars in military and economic aid from the United States between 2001 and 2018, Pakistan remained under continuous suspicion for harboring elements hostile to Western interests. This contradiction created a strained and often toxic relationship with Washington, one that oscillated between temporary alignment and recurring mistrust.

Beyond the accusations, Pakistan also faced severe consequences at home. The wave of terrorism and insurgency not only disrupted daily life but also affected governance, education, investment, and social cohesion. Schools were attacked, markets were bombed, and religious spaces turned into battlegrounds. The 2014 attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar was one such tragic reminder, where innocent students were massacred in an act of revenge by militants. In response, Pakistan implemented the National Action Plan, reactivated the National Counter Terrorism Authority, and began efforts to curb hate speech, dismantle extremist networks, and monitor funding channels.

Still, these efforts were never viewed in isolation. Pakistan’s regional challenges, particularly its relations with neighboring Afghanistan and India, further complicated its counterterrorism credentials. Kabul repeatedly accused Islamabad of providing safe havens for the Taliban, while Delhi pointed fingers over cross-border terrorism incidents, most notably the 2008 Mumbai attacks. These allegations, regardless of nuance, severely damaged Pakistan’s diplomatic position. The broader international community, including organizations such as the Financial Action Task Force, placed Pakistan on compliance watchlists, linking its global standing to its performance in combating terror financing and money laundering.

Internally, the burden was even heavier. Refugee influxes, especially from Afghanistan, placed immense strain on infrastructure and social services. At its peak, Pakistan hosted over 3.5 million Afghan refugees, making it one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in the world. This demographic pressure created competition for jobs, housing, and services, particularly in provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Moreover, the presence of unregulated refugee populations created additional security concerns, with fears that militant groups could blend into civilian communities. The state, already stretched thin, struggled to balance compassion with caution.

The political consequences were just as severe. Terrorism eroded public confidence in institutions and allowed radical narratives to thrive in parts of society. Political instability intensified as governments struggled to cope with overlapping crises. Elections were threatened, campaigns were silenced, and civil society was pushed into a defensive posture. Even as security forces regained ground, the deeper wounds of extremism and ideological polarization persisted. The war that had begun on the borders had now firmly planted itself in the hearts and minds of millions.

Despite these setbacks, it is important to acknowledge the achievements. Pakistan’s military campaigns did break the back of several dangerous insurgencies, reclaimed thousands of square kilometers from militant control, and restored order in lawless zones. International organizations that once viewed Pakistan with suspicion began to acknowledge its progress. The removal from the FATF gray list in 2022 signaled international recognition of the reforms undertaken in financial regulation and counterterrorism coordination.

However, the real challenge now lies in moving beyond reaction. Pakistan must define its future engagement with global security on its own terms, balancing sovereignty with cooperation, and development with security. The post-war era demands policies rooted in education, economic opportunity, justice, and accountability. Guns alone cannot eliminate the seeds of extremism. Long-term peace must be built in schools, courts, media, and the economy.

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What is perhaps most tragic in Pakistan’s long involvement in the War on Terror is the gap between its sacrifices and the world’s perception. While global narratives shifted with political tides, the funerals of young soldiers, the cries of bereaved families, and the destruction of public spaces continued unabated. Over two decades, Pakistan suffered over 150 billion dollars in economic losses linked directly to terrorism and military operations. That kind of toll would shake the foundation of any state, yet it has been routinely downplayed or misunderstood in broader geopolitical debates.

Ultimately, the War on Terror left Pakistan more hardened, more isolated, and more aware of its geopolitical vulnerabilities. It gained experience in counterinsurgency and diplomacy, but at the cost of blood, trust, and stability. If there is to be any lesson drawn, it is that global security cannot be built on unequal alliances or one-sided expectations. True cooperation requires respect, shared responsibility, and a willingness to see past blame into the complexities that define nations like Pakistan.

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6 August 2025

Written By

Miss Iqra Ali

MPhil Political Science

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Miss Iqra Ali

GSA & Pakistan Affairs Coach

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