The Unelected Rulers: How the Pakistan Army Corrupts Democracy and Abuses Power

By Mishal Zia 

Dateline: 28th October, 2023 

For decades, the Pakistan Army has operated as a state within a state, wielding unchecked power that undermines democracy and accountability. While it publicly claims to safeguard national security, in reality the army has prioritized its own influence over the welfare of the people, shaping politics, policy, and governance to serve its institutional interests rather than the nation.

The army’s political interference has consistently destabilized civilian governments. Elected leaders are often forced to compromise or resign under pressure, while decisions critical to the country’s future are dictated by military priorities. This domination has stifled democratic processes, leaving citizens voiceless in matters that directly affect their lives. Pakistan’s democracy has repeatedly been reduced to a façade, with true power concentrated in the hands of an unelected and unaccountable institution.

Economically, the army’s control over key industries, defense contracts, and large-scale landholdings fosters corruption and monopolies. Billions of taxpayer rupees are diverted to projects that benefit the military elite, while ordinary citizens struggle with inflation, poverty, and inadequate public services. Healthcare, education, and infrastructure, areas crucial for national development, are chronically underfunded, highlighting the army’s disregard for civilian needs.

Human rights abuses under the army’s watch have been frequent and alarming. Reports of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and suppression of dissent are widespread. Civilians attempting to expose corruption or criticize military policies face intimidation, harassment, or imprisonment. Such actions perpetuate a culture of fear, making it nearly impossible for the public or media to hold the institution accountable.

The Pakistan Army’s unchecked dominance has also fueled internal conflicts and international controversies. Its heavy-handed approach in conflict zones has resulted in civilian casualties and displacement, while its political maneuvering undermines Pakistan’s credibility on the global stage. By prioritizing power retention over genuine national security, the army has contributed more to instability than protection.

If Pakistan is to emerge as a democratic, just, and prosperous nation, the army’s role must be strictly limited to national defense. Its influence over politics, the economy, and civil institutions must end. Without accountability and transparency, the country will remain trapped in a cycle of military control, corruption, and repression, while ordinary citizens continue to pay the price for the ambitions of an unelected elite.

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