ABSTRACT
Pakistan was a house divided at birth and its dominant personalities aggravated the condition; few considered treatment that might have relieved the situation because little serious thought was given to the aspirations and desires of the nation’s ordinary people. It can be argued that Pakistan exhibited no problems in forming political movements, but political movements do not necessarily evolve into national political organizations or parties. The Muslim League was an organization plagued by contradictions from its inception. The Muslim League was more a political movement than a religious renaissance. The more readily identifiable political parties in Pakistan’s history are the Muslim League, the Republican Party, the Awami League, the Pakistan People’s Party and the National Awami Party. Political parties, by contrast, are mundane affairs. This is especially so with parties that assumes direct governmental responsibility. Political parties, unlike political movements, are more universalistic, hence more flexible and multi-dimensional.
