Minority’s Representation in Federal Cabinets of Pakistan: A Comparison between Democratic and Military Government (1947-1999)

Authors

  • Wajid Ali Bhatti School Education Department Punjab

Keywords:

Minority, Parliament, Military, Cabinet, Comparison, Government

Abstract

Pakistan's creation is not solely the achievement of Muslims but also of otherreligious communities from India. Pakistan ensured the representation ofminorities across various social and political domains. This research paper aimsto spotlight the political domain and draw comparisons between parliamentaryand military regimes regarding the inclusion of minority representatives and theirroles in serving the nation and managing portfolios in the federal cabinets ofPakistan. Minority ministers not only received cabinet representation but alsoactively participated in the policy-making process and contributed to thedevelopment of both the nation and their respective communities. They heldministerial positions in crucial areas such as Law, Health, Education, and Labour,playing a significant role in these domains. A comparative analysis of minorityrepresentation in parliamentary and military regimes (1947-1999) reveals thatparliamentary systems were more accommodating towards minorities, particularlyin terms of providing them with opportunities in the cabinet and other politicalinstitutions. However, it should be noted that minority representatives wereallotted lesser space in military governments than democratic governments. Thekey sources of the paper are the parliamentary debates, reliable works of searchand various cabinet documents.

Published

2024-04-28

How to Cite

Bhatti , W. A. (2024). Minority’s Representation in Federal Cabinets of Pakistan: A Comparison between Democratic and Military Government (1947-1999). SADIQ Journal of Pakistan Studies, 3(2), 35–44. Retrieved from https://journals.iub.edu.pk/index.php/sjps/article/view/2725