Democracy on Trial: A Historical Analysis of Pakistan’s Political Struggles

Abstract

Pakistan's democratic journey since independence in 1947 has been characterized by persistent fragility, marked by repeated military interventions, institutional weaknesses, and civil-military imbalances that have kept the polity perpetually "on trial." Founded with aspirations for parliamentary governance, the country experienced direct military rule for nearly half its history through regimes under Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq, and Pervez Musharraf, interspersed with short-lived civilian interludes undermined by elite fragmentation, regional disparities, and authoritarian tendencies. Early failures in constitution-making and leadership crises paved the way for the 1958 coup, while subsequent cycles revealed patterns of populist civilian experiments (e.g., Bhutto's 1973 Constitution) followed by Islamization and controlled democratization under Zia. The post-1999 era shifted toward hybrid or tutelary regimes, where elections persist but military influence dominates security, foreign policy, and institutional oversight evident in the 2008–present transitions, Imran Khan's 2022 ouster, disputed 2024 elections, and the 2025 27th Constitutional Amendment formalizing greater military primacy. Through qualitative historical analysis of secondary sources, this article traces these recurring "trials" of democratic institutions, highlighting structural asymmetries rooted in colonial legacies, praetorian traditions, and geopolitical factors. It argues that while incremental reforms like the 18th Amendment demonstrate resilience, enduring tutelage and adaptive authoritarian mechanisms continue to erode civilian supremacy, rendering sustainable democracy elusive in this post-colonial context. The analysis underscores the need for genuine civil-military equilibrium to break cycles of instability and foster inclusive, accountable governance.

Keywords: Pakistan Democracy, Military Interventions, Civil-Military Relations, Hybrid Regime, Democratic Backsliding, Constitutional Amendments