Role of Religious Parties in Politics of Punjab Especially in District Jhang

Abstract

This paper explores the political complement of Punjab, particularly concentrating on the Jhang District and the religious parties. Religious political parties, therefore, have played a very influential role in drawing the political map of Punjab, where religion dominates the electorate and political stance. Jhang, a city that has witnessed religious and sectarian split, was on the periphery of religious parties. Based on sectarianism, the role of religious parties, especially sectarian Holy and Party, can be deemed significant in local and regional politics. The study investigates the historical development of religious parties in Punjab, their ideological foundations, and their electoral strategies. It also focuses on the sects of political parties that appeared in the district of Jhang, including Sunni Tehreek (ST) and the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), which used to be a part of the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP). These parties have employed sectarianism as a means of getting the population excited, with religious division being a primary manner of establishing authority. Additionally, the study focuses on the strategies religious parties adopt to forge strategic political partnerships with major political forces, namely, PPP and PML-N, for a broader political influence. However, they have failed to win more electoral mandates due to the control of established political aristocracy and the young generation’s shift from religious consciousness. She then makes a comeback to the question posed at the start of the paper by speculating on the future of Sikh religious parties in Punjab and whether they will persist in having a place in politics by how well they will be able to respond to modern changes that are likely to occur in the political environment and demography of the region.