Consensus holds that Pakistan, as a developing nation, has faced significant governance challenges since its inception in 1947. These include, but are not limited to, corruption, political instability, weak institutions, and lack of accountability, contributing to a range of social, economic, and political issues. Of these, the issue that people refer back to the most is corruption, lamenting its permeation into every aspect of Pakistani society and its impact on the functioning of both governmental and private institutions. It is further enabled by a lack of accountability and oversight, creating an environment in which individuals in power can act with impunity and with no fear of penalties.
A core reason for the spread of corrupt practices is political instability, as the country’s relatively short 75 years have seen multiple military coups, political assassinations, and sectarian violence. The absence of political stability hinders the development of a stable and effective governance system, which requires strong democratic institutions, including an independent judiciary, a dynamic civil society, and a free press. Accountability similarly encourages governments to enhance the socio-economic conditions of the people to reduce grievances that fuel instability and conflict.
Unfortunately, Pakistan’s institutions are “weak” due to lack of resources, which are disproportionately allocated to security services. This encourages the development of a “police state,” where those in power can act with impunity and without considering the rule of law. The only way out of this morass is a dedicated effort aimed at strengthening these institutions, but this requires unanimity among political forces that are more likely to tear each other down than work for the betterment of the nation.
Pakistan, as so many times in the past, is currently at a “critical” juncture in its history. Whether the incumbent leadership can overcome its differences to achieve the same remains to be seen.