Military Interference in Political Affairs: Perspectives from Illiterate Pakistani Baby Boomers and Gen X

Institutional Affiliation

Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Start Date

16-1-2025 1:30 PM

End Date

16-1-2025 3:00 PM

Proposal Type

Presentation

Proposal Format

On-campus

Proposal Description

Background: Pakistan has a long history of military involvement in its political landscape which has led to incidents of violent conflicts and increased extremism. Despite democratic transitions, the military continues to exert significant influence, making Pakistan a hybrid regime which has increased debates about its role in political instability of the country. This research aimed to explore the perceptions of illiterate Pakistani baby boomers and Gen X regarding military interference in politics.

Methodology: Qualitative interviews were conducted with illiterate respondents from these two generations. The interviews focused on understanding their views on the military’s involvement in political affairs, its consequences, and their assessment of political parties in the country.

Findings: All respondents expressed concern about the military’s interference in politics. They perceived it as a major factor contributing to political instability in the country. They directly blamed the military for the country’s political woes and viewed it as an obstacle to democratic processes and accused it of undermining civilian rule. Interestingly, some respondents went further, labeling the military as “American agents.” The participants criticized political parties for prioritizing personal agendas over the welfare of the Pakistani people. Overall, they believed that Pakistan’s instability and fragility were exacerbated by the self-serving actions of both political and military actors which has pushed the nation into complex dynamics of extreme radicalism.

Conclusion: This research sheds light on the complex relationship between the military and politics in Pakistan. The perspectives of illiterate baby boomers and Gen X highlight the need for further examination of military-civilian dynamics and their impact on governance and stability.

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Jan 16th, 1:30 PM Jan 16th, 3:00 PM

Military Interference in Political Affairs: Perspectives from Illiterate Pakistani Baby Boomers and Gen X

Background: Pakistan has a long history of military involvement in its political landscape which has led to incidents of violent conflicts and increased extremism. Despite democratic transitions, the military continues to exert significant influence, making Pakistan a hybrid regime which has increased debates about its role in political instability of the country. This research aimed to explore the perceptions of illiterate Pakistani baby boomers and Gen X regarding military interference in politics.

Methodology: Qualitative interviews were conducted with illiterate respondents from these two generations. The interviews focused on understanding their views on the military’s involvement in political affairs, its consequences, and their assessment of political parties in the country.

Findings: All respondents expressed concern about the military’s interference in politics. They perceived it as a major factor contributing to political instability in the country. They directly blamed the military for the country’s political woes and viewed it as an obstacle to democratic processes and accused it of undermining civilian rule. Interestingly, some respondents went further, labeling the military as “American agents.” The participants criticized political parties for prioritizing personal agendas over the welfare of the Pakistani people. Overall, they believed that Pakistan’s instability and fragility were exacerbated by the self-serving actions of both political and military actors which has pushed the nation into complex dynamics of extreme radicalism.

Conclusion: This research sheds light on the complex relationship between the military and politics in Pakistan. The perspectives of illiterate baby boomers and Gen X highlight the need for further examination of military-civilian dynamics and their impact on governance and stability.