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Abstract
The decade of 1960s in Pakistan witnessed modernization under General Ayub Khan, who passionately believed in the progressive-liberal and modernist version of Islam. His broad-mindedness and liberalism towards Islam was explicitly manifested in the official Islamic policy pursued during the first half of his regime from 1958 to 1965 when he governed the country in an authoritarian manner. During these years, the modernization program was implemented through public policies aimed at bringing about a progressive change in the constitutional, legal and social spheres of the country. It was, however, forced as well as highly selective and authoritarian in nature. The military regime pushed its modernization agenda despite opposition and resentment from many sections of the society. Nonetheless, the second half of the regime 1965-69, which was 'quasi-authoritarian in nature', saw a reversal of his official policy towards Islam, since his popularity was undermined, and he needed popular support for his regime. The present article explores the modernization measures undertaken during the regime of Ayub Khan, and analyzes the shift in the official Islamic policy in the country.
Key-words: Forced modernization, public policy, General Ayub Khan, modernist Islam, opposition
Modernization has affected a number of societies all across the globe. In many instances, modernization processes initiated by the states in many countries have been quite rapid and forced. Among the Muslim countries, Egypt, Turkey, and Iran, and to some extent, Pakistan are conspicuous examples of forced modernization by undemocratic and repressive regimes. In Egypt, Muhammad Ali Pasha (1805-48) initiated a program of forced modernization in the first half of the nineteenth century. In the decade of 1920s, Turkey underwent modernization under Mustafa Kamal Ataturk (1881-1938). In the decade of 1930s, Iran witnessed modernization under Emperor Mohammad Reza Shah (1919-1980) (Kamali, 2006). In the decade of 1960s, Pakistan undertook the path of modernization under General Ayub Khan. All these instances of modernization were highly selective and authoritarian in nature. In case of most of these countries, modernization projects were launched by non-democratic governments, since such governments do not need popular support for their public policies. Therefore, modernization programs were forced despite opposition and resentment from many sections of the society.
In many countries, military is considered to be the most modern and Westernized state institution....