Since gaining its independence in 1947, Pakistan has struggled to establish a stable democracy. The state’s military has maintained significant influence over the government through alliances with elites, hurting efforts to adopt democratic practices that would manage to address civil society’s grievances. This military stronghold has made access to health, education, social services more difficult, and fomented radicalist groups that take advantage of the government’s weakness. This dominance has allowed the military to manipulate democratic processes, such as influencing free and fair elections, leading the government to be filled with people who seek to maintain this order. It has also erased any mechanism that holds it accountable to the people, further eroding democracy.
Pakistani Military: At The Epicentre of Pakistan’s Politics
Through selective support of certain leaders or the active removal of others, Pakistan’s military has demonstrated its ability to control the nation’s political present and future.
The intricate ties between Pakistan’s far-right elite and the military have upheld a tyrannical dominance, led by this authoritarian alliance. Driven by shared interests in controlling national resources and maintaining monopolistic power, this long-standing partnership has allowed the military to cement its influence over Pakistan’s economy and governance at the expense of democratic processes. Politicians remain cautious about openly challenging the military, as dissent brings a risk of assassination, imprisonment, or public smear campaigns.
In 2018, Imran Khan’s election victory was celebrated as a democratic milestone as he promised to tackle corruption and to find remedy to the economic recession. However, his rise to power was closely aligned with military backing, underscoring the military’s continued role in political affairs. Over time, as Khan began prioritising external alliances, he simultaneously sidelined military interests leading to tensions between the two allies. In 2022, a non-confidence vote ousted Khan from office, allegedly due to the military’s withdrawal of support. This not only stirred public debate, but also reflected the underlying forces at play in Pakistani politics, raising questions about democratic resilience and the separation of power between the state and the military. This incident underscored the vulnerability of elected officials to military intervention, regardless of electoral success.
For Pakistan’s democracy to fully mature, observers argue that a realignment of power – one that sees the military step back from political affairs – is essential to ensure stability and genuine democratic governance.
A Lack of Political Accountability
Pakistan’s economic landscape has been marked by weak development, weighed down by substantial external debt and high-rising inflation that strain domestic economic affairs. Stagnant economic development, combined with an ongoing accumulation of debt has hindered Pakistan’s ability to foster and sustain a stable economy. As a result, poverty rates have surged, with 12.5 million more people slipping below the poverty line, while education rates show alarming declines.
This economic situation is intertwined with the military’s control over resources, who have been diverting funding and national resources away from civilian welfare. The military’s fixation on balancing against longtime rival and neighbour India further drains national resources, leaving Pakistani citizens with limited resources for social and economic support.
Social and Economic Challenges
The absence of a robust democracy in Pakistan has deepened the neglect of public welfare. Without accountable, civilian-led institutions to address public needs, issues such as poverty alleviation, job creation, and regional healthcare disparities go largely unaddressed. Additionally, with military interests overshadowing civilian concerns, there are few mechanisms through which citizens, especially those in rural or underserved areas can voice their needs or seek redress for grievances.
A fragmented political landscape dominated by the military-elite alliance is also responsible for fomenting the rise of extremists, militias, and insurgency forces. For instance, The Pakistani Taliban, (TTP), responsible for killing tens of thousands of Pakistanis from 2007 to 2014, has exploited the political vacuum in rural areas, where poverty and underdevelopment make communities particularly vulnerable. In such regions, civilians face dual threats, first from the limited resources allocated for economic development, and second, from heightened security risks due to insurgent activities. These threats actively undermine and complicate the government’s efforts for democratic and economic reforms.
The lack of political coherence continues to challenge Pakistan’s standing as a democracy. State mechanisms are often used by those in power to amass wealth and stifle political opposition. The military’s influence over democratic processes has contributed to a governance environment where public welfare is often secondary to political control. An urgent reassessment of democracy is required for prospects of future stability and growth. By shifting resources toward education, healthcare, and poverty reduction initiatives, Pakistan can build a foundation for long-term stability and prosperity. Effective democratic structures would enable a responsive government, equipped with transparency and accountability mechanisms that prioritise civilian welfare over elite and military interests. For Pakistanis, a shift toward stable democracy could signal a future where resources are allocated to build a society that’s not only capable of addressing its citizens’ grievances, but also has the tools required to prevent overstepping by the elites or the military.
Edited by Jane Malek
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and they do not reflect the position of the McGill Journal of Political Science or the Political Science Students’ Association.
Featured image by Feng Wei