Islam, democracy and human rights: The case of Pakistan’s struggle with the democratic institutions and human rights values

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Abstract

Islam plays a central role in Pakistan’s identity making process. Since the events of 9/11, the significant rise of religious extremism and terrorism in Pakistan has influenced its democratic setup, constitutional process and human rights values. This paper examines the historical evolution of democratic and constitutional process in Pakistan as well as the role of religion in defining the state narratives. This divide between religious extremists and secularists is more acute at the moment primarily because the state is passing legislations influenced by extremist and terrorist narratives. The paper uses interpretive approach in examining the challenge presented by the religious–secular divide and extremist narratives pose to the democratic principles and human rights values in Pakistan.