Power Misuse Rooted in Pakistan's History
Since the early 1950s, power has been central to consolidating a nexus involving feudal, political, bureaucratic, military, and clergy elites in Pakistan. The failure to emerge as a democratic welfare state with political pluralism, good governance, and the rule of law stems from the misuse of power by these governing elites. The dismemberment of Pakistan in December 1971 resulted from denying power to the Awami League, the majority party that won the National Assembly elections. Military action launched on 25 March 1971 reflected the arrogance of power, leading to civil war and the emergence of Bangladesh.
Defining Power: Morgenthau's Framework
Hans J. Morgenthau, author of Politics Among Nations, defined power as man's control over the minds and actions of other men. He argued that all politics, domestic and international, reveals three basic patterns: keeping power, increasing power, or demonstrating power. These dynamics are evident in Pakistan's political landscape, where elites prioritize power perpetuation over public welfare.
Global Examples of Power Misuse
The United States' failed use of power from the Korean War (1950) to the attack on Iran (February 2026) caused trillions of dollars in losses and diminished its global influence. Similarly, Russia's misuse of power against Ukraine—occupying Crimea in 2014 and parts of eastern Ukraine in 2022—led to strategic failures. These examples highlight how power misuse leads to embarrassment and failure, even when consequences are foreseeable.
Political Costs in Pakistan
The political cost of power misuse is evident in the emergence of Bangladesh when the Punjab-centric military refused to accept the December 1970 election results. Abuse of power in Balochistan during the 1960s, 1970s, and post-2000 era fueled widespread insurgency. Similarly, state action against Sindhi and Mohajir nationalism in the 1980s and 1990s alienated vast segments of Sindh province. Military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Swat, destabilized large areas. More recently, the crackdown on the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir led to violence and instability.
Current Power Dynamics: Military Dominance
The 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments have tamed the superior judiciary and granted the Chief of Defence Force enormous powers, including lifetime immunity. The military now dominates civilian government, with unprecedented parity and influence. When power is used to perpetuate authority and silence non-conformist voices, issues like poverty, underdevelopment, illiteracy, bad governance, and lack of accountability remain unresolved.
Economic Stagnation and Power Elites
Those wielding power show little interest in controlling corruption and nepotism. Pakistan's economic decline is reflected in meagre foreign exchange reserves, low per capita income, and declining exports. The failure to pursue self-reliance—by curbing imports, enhancing exports, and relying on national resources instead of borrowing from the IMF, World Bank, and friendly countries—means power is not used for economic vibrancy and sovereignty. As a result, Pakistan compromises its sovereignty and deepens its fragility.
Societal and Strategic Consequences
When power misuse becomes part of political culture, the result is frustration, anger, and antagonism, particularly among youth. Pakistan, now the world's fifth-most populous country with around 250 million people, faces challenges like population growth, environmental degradation, and climate change. Unless those who matter reset priorities regarding power use, Pakistan will remain politically unstable, economically fragile, and devoid of good governance and the rule of law. The country is not moving in the right direction in terms of political pluralism, democracy, free media, academia, good governance, the rule of law, economic vibrancy, or addressing extremism, violence, and terrorism.
Need for a Paradigm Shift
Pakistan's leadership lacks statesmanship and has failed to learn from successful models of power use in countries like Japan, South Korea, ASEAN member states, and Gulf countries. The price of unending power ambitions is colossal, encompassing political, economic, societal, and strategic costs. A fundamental reset in priorities is essential for Pakistan to emerge as a stable, prosperous, and democratic state.
