THE STATE OF DEMOCRACY IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

This paper analyzes the current state of democracy in Pakistan and explores the historical, ideological, and institutional factors that impede its progress. The author argues that Pakistan's lack of democratic governance results in political crises, instability, and weak state formation, which exacerbates its nuclear-armed status and foreign policy. The military's hegemony over the political system in Pakistan creates characteristics such as patrimonialism, praetorianism, and semi-authoritarianism, hindering the transition to substantive democracy. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of Pakistan's institutional trajectory and power structure over the last decade, emphasizing the complex power dynamics that hinder democratization. The paper concludes that democracy in Pakistan faces immense structural obstacles that require a comprehensive reworking of the country's institutions to redress these issues.