For decades, Pakistan’s military has been the country’s most vital institution
Decades of democratic progress are slowly being clawed back as the country’s military leaders regain strength.
It’s usually easy to know when a country has fallen to military dictatorship. Tanks on the streets, uniforms in gilded palaces, the political class interned en masse. Sometimes, however, the takeover is more subtle, more insidious.
Munir, unlike Musharraf, is willing to share the limelight with civilians. His new prominence in affairs that shouldn’t be his remit — foreign affairs, economics — is accompanied by a theatrical deference to the civilian authorities even as his own power increases.
This is visible at international summits, most recently in Saudi Arabia, Beijing and Washington. Sharif brings him to meetings, introduces him to foreign leaders, and then the general steps back and lets the prime minister do the talking.
The courtesies of civilian supremacy are punctiliously observed, while real power ebbs away — or, perhaps, is handed over.
Brooke Sample Bloomberg November 22, 2025
Although it frequently intervened to oust elected governments, many Pakistanis saw this as salvation from the country’s blundering politicians.
The military has suffered a catastrophic loss of prestige after the populist former prime minister Imran Khan directly challenged its influence. In response, Mr. Khan was ousted and jailed, and his party — despite winning the most parliamentary seats in a divisive February election — was shut out of a new civilian government
It is common knowledge in Pakistani political circles that significant portions of the military leadership, powerful military families and rank-and-file officers are sympathetic to Mr. Khan’s right-wing, anti-American vision for the country, which included aligning Pakistan more closely with China and Russia.
Whether this internal rift can be healed will ultimately decide the direction and stability of Pakistan, which has nuclear arms and is the world’s fifth most populous.
Army unity looks likely to hold for the time being. But all is not well in the military fraternity.
Unless Pakistan’s generals can patch the rift over Mr. Khan, the country’s political stability, its security and its future will be difficult to predict.
Ms. Ayesha Siddiqa expert on Pakistan’s military New York Times 28 March 2024
Six books provide an introduction to a troubled, nuclear-armed country - Pakistan
The Economist 6 Ferbruary 2024
Earlier this year, Pakistan was on the verge of default before it secured yet another lifeline from the International Monetary Fund.
Millions are falling into poverty while young Pakistanis try and flee to Europe.
Meanwhile the government, long controlled by the military, is facing growing political polarization and a rise in terrorist attacks.
Bloomberg 12 October 2023
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