Legislation Regarding Political Parties in Pakistan and Impacts on its Political System: A Historical Analysis

Abstract

This research article deals with the rules and regulations adopted in Pakistan, concerning political parties since the inception of 1962 constitution and Political Parties Act 1962. It also analyses the impacts of these regulations on the political set up of Pakistan. As the political arena of the country is characterized by the continuous struggle for power acquisition between civilian governments and powerful military establishment, these rules have been used by both to control their opponents and to stay in power by curbing the opposition. The article analysis the Political Parties Act 1962 imposed by General Ayub Khan, the Political Parties Order 2002, introduced during Musharraf era the Elections Act 2017, introduced by PML-N government led by Nawaz Sharif and the Twenty Sixth Constitutional amendment brought by the coalition government of PPP, PML-N and JUI-F. The article has also covered the Eighteenth Amendment 2010 and its judicial interpretation. The study shows that governments in Pakistan have brought drastic changes in the constitution in the past to control their competitors. This has been one of the striking features of political development in Pakistan, resulting in a hybrid and weak political system, with politics based on political victimization.

Keywords: Political Parties, Legislation, Political Parties Act 1962, Political Parties  Order 2002, Elections Act 2017, Constitutional Amendments, Election Commission, Civil-Military Relationship.