Civilian-Military Relations and Democratic Transformation in Pakistan: Problems and Trends

Abstract

This study examines the problems and challenges that encounter the democratic transformation in Pakistan, both internally and externally. Such examination is carried out in light of the continuous civilian-military problematic relations. The military intervenes in the political life, directly and otherwise, under the pretext that these challenges can menace the security and stability of Pakistan and affect the course of democratic transformation therein, and therefore, it should face them. This study concludes that the Pakistani army is a key influential player in the Pakistani policies. And while the army, in democratic regimes, follows the government, elected governments in Pakistan are widely influenced by the army, known for intervening into the policies of the State. Hence, the study attempts to present a prospective view of the future trends of democratic transformation, according to the ceaseless dilemmas of the civilian-military relations.