Politics Introduction

 

I. Politics Introduction 

Since its creation in 1947, Pakistan’s political journey has been dominated by a persistent tension between democratic aspirations and military influence. Although civilian governments have periodically held power, the military establishment has enjoyed disproportionate authority. Following the 2008 return to civilian rule, Pakistan has seen expanded democratic participation—but fragility and instability have endured. Today, as Pakistan heads toward general elections and grapples with economic pressures, terrorism, shifting party landscapes, and protests, the opposition, civil‐military relations, institutions, and human rights remain central battlegrounds shaping the nation’s direction.

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II. Historical Foundations (1947–2008) 

Independence and Early Political Experiment (1947–1958)

Pakistan began as a parliamentary democracy, but was soon destabilized by weak institutions, regional disparities, and chronic political infighting.

First Military Era: Ayub Khan and Yahya Khan (1958–1971)

General Ayub Khan seized power in 1958, initiating an era of authoritarian modernization. Economic growth was overshadowed by rising regional unrest, particularly in East Pakistan. Under General Yahya Khan, Pakistan saw the catastrophic 1971 war and the loss of East Pakistan—leading to the birth of Bangladesh The Express Tribune+11TechX+11articles.pakistanlawyer.com+11.

Bhutto and Civilian Politics (1971–1977)

Post‑1971, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto rose to power on populist and socialist rhetoric. His government enacted the 1973 Constitution and nationalized industries, aiming to redistribute wealth—but also centralized power and suppressed dissent. His rule ended abruptly with another coup in 1977 articles.pakistanlawyer.com.

Zia‑ul‑Haq’s Islamization (1977–1988)

General Zia deposed Bhutto in 1977, who was executed in 1979. Zia’s 11‑year rule introduced Sharia‐based laws such as the Hudood Ordinances and established madrassa reforms. Pakistan fully aligned with the US during the Soviet‑Afghan war, becoming a key base and receiving substantial military aid. Civil liberties were significantly curtailed TechX+1Medium+1.

Return to Democracy: Bhutto vs. Sharif (1988–1999)

After Zia’s 1988 death, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif alternated power—but instability, corruption allegations, and judicial‐executive clashes continued. Both faced dismissals amid economic stagnation and political gridlock .

Musharraf Era (1999–2008)

General Pervez Musharraf’s 1999 coup ousted Nawaz Sharif. His rule combined market reforms and media liberalization with continued authoritarian oversight. Pakistan supported the US‐led War on Terror after 9/11 and faced internal terrorist threatsand judicial crises. Musharraf stepped down in 2008 amid mounting challenges .

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III. Hybrid Democracy (2008–2024) (≈400 words)

Civilian Rule Resumes

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) under Asif Ali Zardari, followed by Nawaz Sharif’s return in 2013, signaled a form of civilian governance. However, these years were marked by electoral controversies, economic challenges, and persistent military influence behind the scenes .

The Imran Khan Surge and PTI Rule (2018–2022)

Imran Khan’s PTI campaigned on anti‑corruption and new governance, riding strong youth support. In 2018, PTI took power, judicial reforms were attempted, and its popularity soared. Nonetheless, issues like inflation, rising debt, and friction with the military emerged.
Khan was removed via a parliamentary no‑confidence vote in April 2022. His supporters alleged foreign conspiracies and military involvement in his ouster. The years following saw widespread protests, legal battles, and political polarization across social media .

Perceived Erosion of Democracy

Analysts argue that democracy in Pakistan shifted toward an authoritarian hybrid—where electoral façade masked deeper military influence. The 26th Constitutional Amendment of late 2024 saw parliament taking control over judicial appointments—reducing the Chief Justice’s powers and raising concerns about checks and balances .

Security Crises and Terrorism

Violence surged in 2024. At least 1,566 terrorist incidents and nearly 924 security force deaths occurred in the first ten months (66 % more than 2023), impacting military and civilian lives alike. Baloch separatism and cross‑border tensions further inflamed conditions. The Kurram tribal clashes and repeated bombings highlighted breakdowns in law and order in KP and Balochistan .