Pakistan’s Islamist parties are set to be kingmakers

Subject

Rise of Islamist parties in Pakistan.

Significance

A three-week protest led by Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) calling for the resignation of the law minister from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came to an end on November 27, with the Islamists apparently emerging victorious from the standoff. Earlier in the month, several religious parties agreed to revive the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) alliance which contested polls in the 2000s.

Impacts

• Pakistan will face greater pressure from the United States to act against militants, straining bilateral relations.
• India will reiterate claims that Pakistan is not serious about containing cross-border terrorism.
• Attacks on religious minorities, and cases of blasphemy, are likely to increase.