Sectarianism and Shia Politics in Pakistan, 1979-Present

The Iranian revolution has left a profound mark on Pakistan's politics in general and the role of religion therein, in particular. The revolution underscored the importance of Islam to sociopolitical change, and provided impetus for Islamist activism. Iran's drive to establish regional hegemony combined with growing Sunni resistance to its Shia characteristics produced sectarian conflict. This conflict has been fed on regional struggles for power between Iran and its Arab neighbors, and competition for resources and influence between Sunnis and Shias in South Asia. The result has been a new form of Islamist politics, one that draws on Islamism in tandem with identity politics. Its force has greatly impacted sociopolitical relations in the region. The more lasting impact of the Iranian revolution in the region has not been promotion of Islamist activism, but deep division between Shias and Sunnis, a sectarian discourse of power, and deepening of social cleavages in the region