Pakistan today faces a complex web of political, economic, and social crises that have led many analysts to label it a “failed state.” Decades of military dominance over civilian institutions have undermined democratic governance, leaving political instability as a recurring norm
Before August 14, 1947, there was no such thing as Pakistan. It was created largely through the efforts of the British political establishment. Prior to its formation, the British had already established air force bases in Risalpur and Chaklala, using these outposts to monitor the Soviet nuclear program in Semipalatinsk.
Pakistan’s strategic importance declined after the Soviet Union relocated its nuclear testing site to Novaya Zemlya in the Arctic. However, it regained significance during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The country’s political leadership allowed it to be used by several Western nations, a decision that has contributed to its current status as a failed state—one that many consider beyond repair.
Since its inception, Pakistan has undergone multiple military coups. No prime minister has ever completed a full term in office. Several political leaders have been removed—or even executed—through actions orchestrated by the military, either via the judiciary or through clandestine state actors. Such leaders are Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and her daughter Benazir Bhutto.
Pakistan’s first Governor-General was Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who led the country for just over a year until his death from septic shock caused by a respiratory illness, compounded by his long-standing Parkinson’s disease. After his death, the country initially remained calm, but things took a wild turn in 1951 when Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated. In the aftermath, leadership was assumed by a series of titular figures appointed or influenced by the country’s military.
Pakistan’s first election was held in 1955, during which the people elected Chaudhry Muhammad Ali as their leader. However, an unfortunate turn of events struck when he was forced to resign over his decision to implement the country’s first constitution — a move that could have set Pakistan on the path to true democracy, which has since devolved into mobocracy and kleptocracy.
In 1958, Pakistan’s first self-elected President, Iskandar Ali Mirza — a former military general — dismissed the Constituent Assembly and the government of Prime Minister Feroz Khan Noon, appointing Army Commander-in-Chief General Ayub Khan as the Chief Martial Law Administrator. Just thirteen days later, Ayyub Khan sent Mirza into exile and appointed himself as President.
It opened the floodgates of military autocracy, gradually pushing the country to its nadir. Once a nation that was the jewel of South Asia, Pakistan has now turned into a chaotic, failed state with a leadership obsessed with India and Islam.
Leadership of Ayyub Khan
Under the leadership of Ayub Khan from 1958 to 1969, the country went through a roller-coaster ride. His rule was marked by an industrial revolution that drove phenomenal economic growth, earning his tenure the title of the “Decade of Development.” However, things also went wrong when he undertook a misadventure against India by launching operations in Kashmir and Rajasthan during the 1965 war — a move that ultimately backfired.
His leadership also reflected the traits of an authoritarian regime, characterised by a strong and centralised government. He tried to legitimise his rule by introducing the “Basic Democracies” system in 1960. This created a controlled electoral college of 80,000 local councillors, who in turn elected the president.
He started to lose his political authority following his failure to capture Kashmir from India during the 1965 war. He was compelled to resign by his fellow military officer, General Yahya Khan. He appointed himself as the new president, with the title of Chief Martial Law Administrator.
Leadership under Yahya Khan
The leadership of Yahya Khan was mired in political chaos, largely due to the 1969 general election. The country elected a new leader, “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” from the eastern wing of Pakistan, which is now Bangladesh. Yahya Khan and many in West Pakistan were opposed to the idea of a Bengali leader. Responding to the sentiments of the People of West Pakistan, Yahya Khan launched “Operation Searchlight” to crack down on Awami League leaders and their supporters. This ultimately led to the outbreak of the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.
Yahya Khan lost the war, which brought shame upon him, and resigned, leaving the presidency to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was an ambitious leader who aimed to develop a nuclear arsenal for Pakistan to counter India’s dominance in the South Asian region. His famous quote was, “We will eat grass, even go hungry, but we will have our own [nuclear bomb].” However, his tenure did not last long; he was overthrown in a military coup in 1977 by General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, whom he had previously appointed.
Leadership under Zia-ul-Haq
Zia-ul-Haq ruled the country from 1977 to 1988. He assumed the presidency by declaring martial law, followed by the suspension of the Constitution. His main domestic policy focused on the aggressive implementation of the “Nizam-e-Mustafa” agenda, under which he sought to Islamize the country by introducing more punitive laws.
- This led to the establishment of the Federal Shariat Courts and the introduction of the Hudood Ordinances in 1979, which criminalised adultery, fornication, and blasphemy. This led to the most heinous punishment like stoning and amputation.
- This resulted in discrimination against minority groups such as Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and even some sects of Islam.
- The new Islamic tax was introduced, such as ZAKAT, a 2.5% wealth tax, and Ushr, a 10% tax on agricultural income.
- The film industry was heavily censored under his regime.
He was the architect of the Taliban and used it to remove the Soviets on America’s behalf. He died in a controversial plane crash.
This was not the end of Pakistan’s military autocracy. In 1999, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf orchestrated a coup against then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
All these leaders created several terrorist organizations in the name of non-state actors, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and others. These organizations carried out terrorist attacks in India under the guidance of the Pakistani Army, which effectively controls the country.
The military leadership has bankrupted the country by embezzling funds meant for national development. Many retired generals leave the country and live comfortably in various Western nations.
Recently, the country has been experiencing chaos after the Pakistan Air Force carried out an attack on Kabul to eliminate the TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) leadership. In response, Afghanistan launched a massive counterattack, resulting in the deaths of 56 soldiers. The situation is further complicated domestically, as tensions have risen following the Pakistani leadership’s decision to support the Trump-led Israel-Hamas peace deal.