The Influence of Iranian Islamic Revolution on Pakistani Shiites Based on Diffusion Theory

Iranian Islamic Revolution is one of the biggest social upheavals of 20th century. It not only drastically changed the Iranian political and social landscape, but had many repercussions in the region and in the world. It influenced and motivated Muslims and specially Shiites everywhere in the region. Pakistani Shiites, particularly, were hugely impressed, as could be expected due to the fact that the two countries are neighbors and the two Shiite populations are inheritors of the same socio-cultural and religious legacy. Here we have used analytical- descriptive method to gauge this influence and to explain it on the basis of Diffusion theory. Our investigation shows that the influence has been shaped by particulars of the origin (Iran) and of the destination (Pakistan) and by the fact that the two countries are neighbors; and that is why there has been a contagious Diffusion involved. Iranian Islamic Revolution has always been a source of both opportunities and challenges for Pakistani Shiites. Iranian Islamic Revolution revived the socio-political existence of Pakistani Shiites and organized them round a core motif. It gave them a religious identity and strengthened their quest for a better stance within Pakistani society, and it motivated them to establish political parties and express their political demands.