Rule by the generals : the influence of military regimes on Pakistan's internal security

The military has played an integral role in Pakistan's governance SInce that country's inception. It has dominated the political process at various times by imposing martial law, playing an active role in policy making, civilianizing martial law regimes and penetrating civilian economic and social institutions. It enjoyed always a unique structural position as an armed body that was reinforced by its role as a protector of the state. There often has been an open preference by the people for the army to take over whenever there were economic problems or political instability, as military rule was considered a relief from factional disputes among civilian political leaders and an accompanying high level of corruption. The primary objective of all of Pakistan's four military regimes was to maintain internal security and cohesion by creating a basis for economic development, building government institutions, and establishing accountability. Yet not even a single military regime succeeded in fulfilling these objectives. Indeed, internal security weakened during these regimes and these governments repeatedly have led Pakistan into crises; far from securing the cohesion and stability of Pakistan, military rule often has imperiled it. Most importantly, Pakistan's military governments failed to put forward a long-term nation building strategy that would forge the country into a cohesive and a stable whole. The purpose of this thesis is to focus on the strains imposed by the four periods of military rule and point out the complexities of the challenges to security in Pakistan by assessing military rules in several areas: democracy and civil society, provincial state cohesion, religious extremism, tribal insurgencies, ethnic and sectarian struggles and national fragmentation. Discussing these challenges, this thesis will seek to examine why Pakistani military failed to enhance internal security and cohesion.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo