Pakistan Shifts to ‘Constitutional Militarism’
AI-generated context summary requested by a Free News Reader user. Sourced via Gemini from publicly available information — no paywalled content was accessed.
You hit a paywall. Here’s the context on this topic based on publicly available information. We did not access any paywalled content. View original article.
Pakistan Shifts to 'Constitutional Militarism'
- Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa, a senior fellow at King's College London, argues that Pakistan has transitioned from a hybrid regime to "constitutional militarism," where the army maintains full control through parliamentary and constitutional mechanisms rather than overt martial law.
- This shift, according to Siddiqa in June 2026, occurred when Imran Khan's government was removed, ushering in a system where the military, led by figures like General Asim Munir, controls every sector despite the presence of a parliament.
Full Summary — powered by AI
Pakistan’s political landscape is increasingly defined by what Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa describes as “constitutional militarism.” This concept suggests that the military, rather than imposing direct martial law, exerts pervasive control over the state through constitutional amendments, legislation, and institutional appointments, effectively diminishing the relevance of civilian governance. Siddiqa, a prominent political scientist and author of “Military Inc.: Inside Pakistan’s Military Economy,” has extensively researched the Pakistan Army’s deep involvement in the nation’s politics and economy since its independence in 1947.
According to Siddiqa, the current phase of “constitutional militarism” solidified after the removal of Imran Khan’s government, marking the end of what some observers termed a “hybrid government.” Under this new framework, the military, currently led by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, has institutionalized its authority. This includes leveraging legislative tools such as the 27th Amendment, which extended the tenures of service chiefs, and other laws that grant military leaders exemptions from accountability. These changes allow the military to operate with significant financial independence, further solidifying its control over state institutions.
The military’s influence extends beyond domestic politics to foreign policy and the economy. Historically, the army has played a crucial role in shaping Pakistan’s foreign relations, often prioritizing security concerns. Economically, military-run enterprises, such as the Fauji Foundation and Army Welfare Trust, hold substantial power. Siddiqa’s work, particularly her 2007 book “Military Inc.,” details how the military has become deeply entrenched in the corporate sector, with its economic empire estimated to be between $20-40 billion as of September 2026. Critics argue that this extensive involvement risks the military favoring its own interests over broader national development and can deter foreign investment. The military’s increasing consolidation of power, as noted in May 2026, also faces challenges in translating international legitimacy into domestic stability and managing internal grievances and the economy.