Institutional Imbalance in Pakistan

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Domestic Issues

Topic 3: Institutional Imbalance in Pakistan

Basic Knowledge of Topic:

Institutional imbalance:
Institutional imbalance refers to a situation where the distribution of power and
authority among different institutions within a country is disproportionate or
uneven. In the context of Pakistan, there are several key concepts related to
institutional imbalance that are worth discussing:

Key Concepts:
1. Separation of Powers: The concept of separation of powers is a
fundamental principle of democracy, which involves dividing the powers
of the government among three branches: the legislature, the executive,
and the judiciary. In Pakistan, there have been instances where one
branch of government has exerted excessive control or influence over
the others, resulting in an institutional imbalance.
2. Dominance of the Military: Pakistan has experienced periods of military
rule throughout its history, leading to a significant imbalance in power
between the military and civilian institutions. The military has often
played a dominant role in politics and decision-making, at times
overshadowing the authority of elected governments.
3. Weakness of Civilian Institutions: Pakistan's civilian institutions, such
as the judiciary, bureaucracy, and police, have faced challenges in terms
of effectiveness, transparency, and independence. This has contributed
to an institutional imbalance, as powerful institutions like the military
have often filled the void left by weak civilian institutions.
4. Political Patronage: The practice of political patronage, where political
leaders distribute favors, positions, and resources to their supporters,
 has been prevalent in Pakistan. This has led to a concentration of power
in the hands of a few individuals or political parties, further exacerbating
institutional imbalances.
5. Lack of Accountability: Weak mechanisms for accountability and
oversight have perpetuated institutional imbalances in Pakistan.
Corruption, nepotism, and a lack of transparency have allowed powerful
institutions and individuals to operate with impunity, undermining the
balance of power.
6. Centralization of Power: Historically, power has been highly centralized
in Pakistan, with a strong federal government exerting control over
provincial governments. This centralization has limited the autonomy and
effectiveness of local institutions, contributing to an institutional
imbalance.

Addressing institutional imbalances requires a comprehensive approach that

includes strengthening democratic principles, promoting transparency and
accountability, ensuring the independence of institutions, and empowering
local governance. Reforms aimed at enhancing the separation of powers,
fostering a culture of checks and balances, and reducing the influence of non-
democratic forces can contribute to restoring institutional balance in Pakistan.
@Educastic.CSS
Domestic Issues

Topic 3: Institutional Imbalance in Pakistan

Books References:
Here are five book references related to the topic of institutional imbalance in
Pakistan:

1."Military, Civil Society, and Democratization in

Pakistan" by Aqil Shah:
This book explores the historical and contemporary dynamics of Pakistan's
civil-military relations and their impact on democratic governance. It delves
into the institutional imbalances caused by military interventions and their
implications for Pakistan's political landscape.

2."The Politics of Pakistan: A Comparative Perspective"

by Kiren Aziz Chaudhry:
This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the political system in
Pakistan, examining the power dynamics among various institutions. It
discusses the challenges of institutional imbalance and highlights the role of
different actors in shaping Pakistan's political landscape.

3."The Pakistan Military in Politics: Origins, Evolution,

and Impact" by Ishtiaq Ahmed:
This book delves into the historical role of the military in Pakistan's politics
and examines the impact of its interventions on democratic institutions. It
provides insights into the institutional imbalances created by the military's
influence and the consequences for Pakistan's governance.

4. "Pakistan: A Hard Country" by Anatol Lieven:

While this book covers various aspects of Pakistan's society and governance,
it offers valuable insights into the institutional dynamics and imbalances within
the country. It explores the influence of different institutions, including the
military, bureaucracy, and political parties, on Pakistan's governance and
stability.

5."Pakistan: Between Mosque and Military" by Husain

Haqqani:
This book analyzes the power struggles and institutional imbalances in
Pakistan's political landscape. It discusses the role of religious institutions,
military interventions, and the impact on democratic governance. The author
provides a nuanced perspective on the challenges faced by Pakistan's
institutions.
@Educastic.CSS
Domestic Issues

Topic 3: Institutional Imbalance in Pakistan

Crux of Newspaper Articles:

1. Pakistan Observer
Institutional Decay, Absence of Accountability in Pakistan by Dr.
Muhammad Khan
 In Pakistan, there are many national institutions, companies and
departments which over the years have proved as burden over the state
rather becoming beneficial.
 For decades now, Pakistan’s national airline (PIA), Pakistan Railways
and Pakistan Steel Mills have been a huge burden on the national
economy and exchequer of the state. These were very beneficial
departments of Pakistan until the decade of 1980s.
 The down-fall of abovementioned departments, companies and national
institutions can be attributed to factors like;
o preferring individual interests over national interests
o systematic corruption and nepotism and
o lack of accountability and good governance.
o involvements of few families and political elites with vested interests
 Later, in 1999, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was establishing to
trace the massive corruption and those involved into it. NAB was
established to “deal with corruption prevention, raise public awareness,
and enforce of anti-corruption measures. Unfortunately, there have been
no worthwhile achievements of this national institution in the past.
  NAB’s failure to recover the ill-gotten money has enabled the already
tainted lot to hit back and blame other institutions, Government and the
state, creating a chaos and questioning the justice system.
 The government must concentrate on the essentials issues of
governance, justice, efficient economic management and availability of
basic necessities of life at affordable price.

2.Tribune
Balancing the institutions by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
 Institutional imbalance has been a major cause of setbacks to
democracy, political instability, and strained civil-military relations in
Pakistan.

Causes of Institutional Imbalance:

 The executive has historically exerted control over the judiciary, leading
to dominance over the legislature and undermining institutional balance.
 Military interventions and the subversion of the constitution have further
contributed to institutional imbalances in Pakistan.
 Dynastic party structures and personalized control have reduced space
for dissent and undermined the autonomy of the legislature.
 The military's control over security and foreign policy issues has created
power struggles with civilian regimes, based on distrust and concerns
over civilian politicians' performance legitimacy.

Possible Options:
 Establishing civilian supremacy requires mutual trust, consultation, and
consensus on critical national issues.
 Deliberative processes involving all relevant institutions can help find
common ground and achieve a general agreement on national
objectives.
 A civilian government's performance record can deepen its roots, gain
acceptance, and influence the security establishment.
 Normalizing institutional balance requires good intentions, mutual trust,
and agreements on fundamental policy issues.
3.The Nations
Institutional imbalances by Khalid Bhatti
 We inherited institutional imbalance from the time of Pakistan's
independence in 1947 in the form of weak ruling class comprised of
feudal lords, ex-officials, traders, and few capitalists.
 On the other hand, civil and military bureaucracy was well-trained,
experienced, and disciplined compared to the ruling class.
 Ruling class formed an alliance with the establishment due to lack of
public support and fear of consequences of general elections.
 Establishment, including military and bureaucracy, gained dominance in
politics, leading to repeated interventions and removal of prime
ministers.
 Judiciary sided with the bureaucracy and formed a powerful nexus.
 Military assumed political power multiple times, strengthening its role and
contributing to institutional imbalance.
 State institutions now in conflict, fighting for control and expanding their
domains.
 Judiciary attempting to regain initiative lost to the military, putting strain
on executive and legislature.
 Dysfunctional state apparatus at the local level and weak civilian
authority further eroded institutional balance.
 Failure to address inherited imbalances and abolish feudalism and
tribalism hindered national reconstruction.
 Democracy cannot take root without addressing social and economic
structures and ensuring benefits for the people.