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‘One Per Cent’ Republic

Pakistan can frankly be referred to as a classic example of elite capture, where laws are openly flouted, and the Constitution is treated as not more than a concubine

By Majyd Aziz | January 2026

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Pakistan is one country where citizens have never enjoyed a nationally peaceful period in the last nearly eight decades. The regrettable fact is that the turbulence, intrusions, and dissatisfaction are mostly due to the myriad sordid provenances that have their roots within the national borders. These have significantly impacted the nation’s march toward economic progress, achieving the welfare of its citizens, and ushering in genuine real-time democracy. External forces and elements have also obstructed the process by taking advantage of the ground realities prevailing in the country due to the organic decisions, actions, and misdeeds of those whose fundamental and patriotic duties are supposed to ensure a peaceful, progressive, and welfare-based Pakistan.

The Constitution of a country is the most sacrosanct document, and its sanctity is held supreme by all pillars of the government. Amendments should be made after extensive debates, brainstorming, and the development of a consensus. Amendments are not made to suit individual agendas. Alas, the Pakistani Constitution has become a pawn in the hands of those in power. It is routinely made to dance to the tune played from the echelon of the powerful. Of course, all this is in the most considerable national interest. The politicians, once having tasted the fruits of power, forget the right path and create their own private roadway to achieve their ambitions. When in opposition, politicians are often the most idealistic and profess themselves as self-sacrificing individuals. Every word and intonation ooze with the magic phrase ‘national interest’, but when they get the chance to reign, there is little they relinquish for the sake of the nation.

Pakistan is not the only country suffering from bad governance. Countries have their own dynamics, policies, and mindsets, and corruption is rife. Civil liberties are suppressed while the state ignores human rights laws. The setback for Pakistan is that its global image has been battered by inimical external and internal forces that are averse to Pakistan’s drive towards economic prosperity. Pakistan is unfortunately suffering immensely because of this negative perception. The populace is peaceful, save for some misguided elements; however, the primary dilemma is that successive governments have never sincerely formulated and implemented policies to improve the lives of citizens. This is the ordeal that Pakistanis face, and worse than this adversity is their apathy to persuasively demand their rights, agitate for their safety and security, and express their aspirations and demands through judicious use of their right to vote and voice. The Constitution guarantees them these rights. Sadly, they do not take advantage of what is enshrined in the Constitution. Thus, bad governance is their ill-fated lot. Solace should be taken from Martin Luther King Jr, who very rightly said: “Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” The hope is that Pakistanis heed this advice and move ahead.


Good governance is one standard. A simple definition is that it is the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented or not. Good governance has become a rhetorical slogan noticeably devoid of substance here, with little differentiation between a democratic dispensation and a regime under the control of non-democratic forces. In Pakistan, the element of good governance is a rare commodity. Political instability also enables vested interests to take advantage and create lucrative benefits for themselves. They are powerful and, in a position, to influence the workings and survival of many institutions or sectors. It is also a fact that weak governments often misuse law enforcement agencies, bureaucracy, and the national structure for their own interests. All these create an environment where elite capture is supreme, corruption flourishes, and laws are blatantly flouted.

The creation of Pakistan in 1947 was a result of a political struggle spearheaded by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who motivated Muslims to unite and make sacrifices to achieve their goal. Jinnah’s vision was a democratic form of government where the people’s voice and choice would be paramount. However, his death and the assassination of the Quaid-e-Millat Khan Liaquat Ali Khan a few years later shattered this vision forever.

Successive governments became victims of indecision, weakness, and conspiracy, and were seldom allowed to become effective enough to lay a strong foundation for a political system. This scenario compelled the Establishment to intervene and establish its writ. Thus, martial law became part of the political drapery, and two generals successively were in charge until the country was divided, and East Pakistan was lost during a senseless war with India. Since 1971, the country has been either under martial law or under pseudo democratic regimes.

The unstable political landscape has had a direct impact on the nation’s economy. Hence, the economy is much like the political ecosystem, perpetually erratic and in a state of flux. The Republic has to pay the piper, especially the IMF, which mandates prudent management of financial resources, an end to subsidies, streamlining the entire taxation system, higher energy rates, control over corruption, and, of course, transparency. All these are onerous for the government to implement without taking a stand. The decision-makers are also subservient to the elite capture, which ensures that their vested interests are well safeguarded. This tug-of-war is the primary reason why Pakistan has not fulfilled all the commitments made to the IMF. Pakistan continues to be the victim of an unbearable and never-ending debt trap due to the differing priorities of those in corridors of power.

Many people foresee a people’s revolution or hope for a messiah, believing that deliverance will be realized. Then some have given up and migrated after waiting for meaningful change in the system. No changes to the government’s architecture are possible in the foreseeable future. As the French say, Plus les choses changent, plus elles restent les mêmes (The more things change, the more they remain the same).

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One thought on “‘One Per Cent’ Republic”

  • Shahid Shafiq
    January 7, 2026 at 2:09 am
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    Very well written.

    Reply