Pakistan has often been referred to as a country where the army has a state. While direct military rule in Pakistan has occurred three times, even when civilians are in power the ubiquitous military establishment has been the puppeteer.
Pakistan held its general elections in February of this year and a civilian government came to power. However, for all intents and purposes the deep state’s control over the country has deepened to an extent that has not been seen in years.
As journalist Arifa Noor wrote in Dawn, “the grip of the establishment is so tight that there is little left for parties to govern or to decide on. And those left to wear the crown of thorns are accused of being pliant, or worse, puppets. This is true of Shehbaz Sharif at the centre and it is also being said of Ali Amin Gandapur in Peshawar.”
Noor warns that the deep state “has to provide space to the political parties, allow them to act independently and take steps to address the people’s concerns. Otherwise, all the political parties will either become irrelevant or be forced to take an anti-state position. Both paths lead to more political instability and violence. The choice is for the state — and less so, the parties — to make.”
