By: Syed Shahzaib Haider
Pakistan has faced political instability for much of its existence as a state. The country has experienced a series of military coups, political assassinations, and periods of civil unrest, which have often hindered its development and progress, and that too with the sky-high corruption index. It’s an unthinkable dream now of every Pakistani to see Pakistan corruption free again. One of the main contributors to political instability in Pakistan has been the military’s interference in politics. Since the country’s independence in 1947, the military has played a dominant role in Pakistani politics, often overthrowing civilian governments and taking direct control of the government. Military coups occurred in 1958, 1977, and 1999, with the latter being led by General Pervez Musharraf, who ruled the country until 2008. The military’s involvement in politics has often been accompanied by restrictions on civil liberties and human rights violations, including many unlawful acts. The military has also been accused of interfering in the country’s foreign policy.
Economic instability on top of it is yet another challenge that Pakistan has long been struggling with. Despite being a country with vast natural resources and a large population, its economy has been facing numerous challenges for decades. The country has been plagued by high inflation, skyrocketing corruption index, low growth rates, almost no foreign investments, the lowest industrial growth, a dwindling currency value, and last but not least the unimaginable extravagancies of the ruling elite are some of the main causes.
Another factor contributing to political instability in Pakistan is the country’s weak democratic institutions. Despite holding regular elections since the 1970s, civilian governments have struggled to assert their authority and implement their policies. Political parties are often plagued by infighting and corruption, and elected officials are frequently accused of nepotism and cronyism. The judiciary has also been a source of instability in Pakistan. The country’s courts have been accused of being politicized and issuing controversial decisions that have undermined the rule of law. In 2007, President Musharraf suspended the chief justice of the Supreme Court, sparking widespread protests and contributing to his eventual downfall.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s ethnic and religious diversity has also contributed to political instability. The country is home to various ethnic and linguistic groups, including Punjabis, Sindhis, Balochis, and Pashtuns, as well as religious minorities, including Christians, and Hindus. These groups have often been marginalized and discriminated against, leading to social and political tensions. In recent years, Pakistan has witnessed a rise in Islamist extremism, which has further contributed to political instability. The country has been plagued by terrorist attacks, including the 2014 attack on an army school in Peshawar, which killed over 140 people, most of them children. Islamist militant groups, such as the Taliban and Al Qaeda, continue to operate in Pakistan, and there have been concerns about the country’s ability to combat terrorism effectively In conclusion, political instability remains the biggest challenge for Pakistan. The country’s weak democratic institutions and military interference is an unending process and because of that around 231.4 million innocent civilians are facing complete unrest in this country.
The writer is director of the editorial board of The Dayspring