Session 15- Social cleaveges and their impact on voting in Pakistan

Throughout the course of history, it has remained evident that the structure of the society influences politics in numerous ways. This fact which is globally accepted encompasses within its realm several social aspects like class, race, gender, etc.

These aspects in a society are what create divisions which are substantial enough to affect the most crucial political activities. Since this social structure is what moulds all forms of political behaviour and participation, it is not surprising to learn that throughout history, Pakistan has also possessed a political structure that has been significantly affected by social influences.

Since the period of the earliest party leaders of Pakistan like Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to modern day leaders like Imran Khan, the social structure is what is held highly significant for them. To this day the major support of the Bhutto family is gained from the same class that was initially targeted by Bhutto's slogan of 'food, clothing, shelter', because of the allegiance formed by the party with a certain class of a society. Similarly Imran Khan, decreasingly so today but is still considered a leader whose support comes mainly from the educated urban class. Different races and sects also play a large role in impacting the voting in Pakistan, for example, Altaf Hussain is seen as the undisputed leader of the Muhajirs, thus his party has received continuing support from that part of the population

In light of the few selected examples presented above, it is evident how voting, as a political activity, is influenced significantly by the social structure of Pakistan.