Brotherism in Pakistan, A Barrier in Development


By
Muhammad Akram Mehar

Brotherism (Caste System) is the basic determinant of Pakistani society. As Pakistani society is traditional, people remain adherent with specific traditional ties. These ties vary from Brothery to Brothery, e.g. traditions for female education as some Brotheries encourage it and others not. The people of Pakistan support one another on the basis of Brothery (caste) in different aspects of social life, either this support is beneficial for remaining society or not. In different sectors of life, the stack holders prefer their co-caste sub-ordinates. The strange fact is that they have the sufficient idea about the harms of Brotherism but they engage in this task with the conservative sense of strengthening their Brothery (caste). This fact puts stones in smooth and proper functioning of institutions.

Pakistan is a country having complex caste system which is received from Hindu society. It is so merged in Pakistani society that in rural areas of Pakistan, the identity of individuals is based upon their caste. Whereas in urban areas, people mention their castes along with their names at their door name plates. There are two levels of Brothery (caste) in Pakistan, the better considered and lower considered. This division is mental which is based upon people’s ascribed status and professions. One can replace these ascribed statuses or professions with achieved ones without changing Brothery (caste).

When any person from lower considered Brothery (caste) gains higher position in the society on the basis of his talent or skill, then the people belonging to better considered Brotheries (castes) take it as some type of curse for themselves. Practically, when these lower-considered Brothery owners came up, they take it as an opportunity to revenge against their reciprocals. This way of thinking results in disastrous death of talent and skill.

During election campaigns, the concept of Brotherism gets more strength. The political candidates approach to the dominant members of different Brotheries to convince them for the political support by vote casting. A number of Brotheries has established their own organizations with specific “Brothery Name and Slogan” with the aim to strength their specific Brothery (caste).

Now, if we analyze the whole scenario then we will realize that the political power and stability is the ultimate objective of “Brotherism”. People engage in this task just because they think that by supporting or strengthening their Brothery (caste), they enhance their political power within the society, actually.

So, there is the need to renew and furnish the minds of people having conservative and traditional thinking style. In this regard, the services of media are of vital importance. Media can play the abolishing role to the concept of “Brotherism”. Different types of dramas and plays have been transmitted on TV channels lessoning the ill effects of “Brotherism” but there is the need to make them more constructive for the society. Media should involve the religious concept of Brotherhood in this regard as Pakistani people are almost religion oriented.