Role of Ethnicity in the Politics of Pakistan during Local Government Elections; A Case of Local Bodies Elections in Dera Ghazi Khan 1982-1998

Abstract

Ethnicity is a vibrant and vast concept with a modern phenomenon of politics after World War second. In third world countries identity considered an important factor in political representation of people and especially the marginalized group always played a card of their ethnic or racial identity to get success in the political system especially in electoral democracy. Pakistan as a third world and developing country is also facing the challenge of ethnic factor in politics due to weak political system. The feelings of inequality and disparity promoted ethnic politics among the marginalized groups not only in National and Provincial Politics but also influenced at regional and local politics. Dera Ghazi Khan which is a small region of Pakistan and have same characteristic with plural society and multi-ethnic culture present a clear picture of ethnic politics in the country. All the dominant and marginalized groups contest the elections on their political strength and used ethnicity as a tool for their success. This paper highlights the role of ethnicity in the politics of Dera Ghazi Khan and Pakistan.