Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah (Ḥifẓ al-nasl) and sustainable economic development : a case study of Pakistan

Abstract

This study aims to explore the development policies of Pakistan in the light of the ethical normative framework of Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah focusing especially on Ḥifẓ al-nasl (protection of future generations) in the context of sustainable economic development. The objective of the study is to assess how far Pakistan has reached in terms of intergenerational justice, sustainability and human well-being in the implementation of national development strategies. The study has employed a qualitative and analytical approach to review the salient policy frameworks such as Vision 2025, SDGs, policies on environmental governance and climate change and the social protection policies including the Ehsaas Programme. The findings show that sustainable development inclusive growth and poverty alleviation are very well aligned with the development discourse in Pakistan, illustrating the principles of Ḥifẓ al-nasl. Policy frameworks include environmental protection, human capital and social welfare but there is a considerable gap between policy formulation and implementation. Poor institutional weaknesses, governance issues, limited administrative capacity and inadequate enforcement stifle implementation efforts and environmental degradation and climate vulnerability and socio-economic inequalities remain a threat to future generations. The study reveals that the development model in Pakistan is partially like the objectives of Ḥifẓ al-nasl but it is of a formational kind that does not necessarily come with practice. This illustrates from an Islamic studies point of view how government is seeing and utilizing the concept of Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah in governance. While policy statements may constitute a set of values (society, nature and intergenerational responsibility) they seem more like aspirations for development rather than a well-defined ethical framework within Islam. The findings also suggest that there is a lack of institutional involvement in the sharing of Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah both in terms of implementation and in translating the principles of Islam into the practice of policy as there are also areas where the Qur’an and the Sunnah are not embraced. Therefore it is recommended to apply the concept of Maqāṣid in the policies formulation process so that the development model can be more coherent and in accordance with morals and values which are able to ensure the welfare of the current and future generations.