PAKISTAN’S politics has long been closely linked with its military, shaped by decades of turbulent history. Since its creation in 1947, the country has seen repeated interventions in which the armed forces acted beyond their constitutional mandate, often justifying their actions as necessary for the survival of the state. From dismissing elected governments to imposing martial law, the military’s involvement has left lasting impacts on Pakistan’s political, economic and social development.

The past few decades illustrate this complex relationship vividly. The 1990s, for example, saw successive governments struggle under political instability, but it was Nawaz Sharif’s leadership that catalysed economic growth and infrastructure development. Sharif, often criticized for political missteps, nonetheless spearheaded projects that transformed Pakistan’s highways, energy sector and industrial base. Yet, it was also under the shadow of military influence that his governments faced immense pressure, ultimately leading to his removal. History reminds us that in Pakistan, politics and the military have often existed in a delicate, sometimes contentious balance.

In the late 2000s and early 2010s, the military’s role evolved further. General Pervez Musharraf’s decade-long rule underscored the reality that governance in Pakistan cannot be........

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