Role of Establishment in Pakistan Politics

Role of Establishment in Pakistani Politics
FINAL THESIS PLSC 403
Name: Saadat Khan Barech
Roll number: 20-11232
Course: PLSC 341
Submitted to Dr Younas
Date: 25-06-2020
Forman Christian College (A chartered University)

Abstract
Establishment is the big name; it comes to mind of every civilized and educated person
when it's about state politics. The Establishment has created so many ideas and confusions in the
mind of almost every civilized citizen of Pakistan. Establishment has destabilized and disturbed
the whole system of Pakistan. The disorders, conflicts, religious conflicts, sectarianism,
extremism but focusing on politics and democracy, it has almost destroyed the backbone of
democracy and has intervened in it directly five times by imposing martial law. It is observed
that the major problems of Pakistan and our system is created by the interreference of
establishment in every organization. Bengal was separated, ethnic conflict is on peak,
sectarianism is on peak, political drawbacks can be seen and economy is collapsed. The civilized
can understand this but those who believe on such things which is portrayed by establishment is
unaware of the negative role of establishment. The main purpose of this paper is to spread real
and fact-based awareness.
Pakistan’s History is repeatedly ruled by military dictators and establishment’s created
politicians. The development of Pakistan is currently based on democracy, but pure democracy
can be the only solution. If the positive and pure role is played by our leaders, sitting in
assembles, then we can rid us of establishment and thus Pakistan can become a real democratic
state.
Keywords: Establishment, Democracy, Politics, Martial law, Illiberal democracy.
Introduction
Every country has military, defense authorities, secret agencies and elite class, that
is establishment. if we observe the system every country, each country kept their establishment
within their limit, the boundary of their work, everyone has its own work to do and they do
not interfere in others work. In Pakistan, everything is planned by establishment. “A Political
system consists of elites, some key members of bureaucracy, senior military officials, and
judiciary is called establishment” (Stephen, P Collins). In many country establishments plays a
role in state politics but it is vital and positive role, but unfortunately in Pakistan establishment
plays very negative role in politics. Every policy is for the satisfaction of that "informal political
system". From General Zia-ul-haq's era, the very disappointing role is played by establishment in
our politics, our political parties are controlled by them, our elections are controlled by them, it is
pre-planned before the election that which political party has to win elections and come into
power. This game is all played by this “informal political system” for their own nefarious and
self-driven agendas.
The understanding of military interventions in politics is based on two factors which has
need to identify the need and support of military in the politics of emerging countries. The very
principal way for military interference in the politics is the military demonstrable skill. It sorts
out a strange fixing and apparatus program for the development of the authorities against the
enemies. These progresses are the part of the process through which military includes themselves
in politics. The second reason of intervention in politics and institutions by military is the socio-
political issues due to which military came infront for their own agendas, thus the military
involves themselves amid the other organizations that are resistance to power. These two kinds
of structures are the keyways of military presence in the politics of Pakistan which has reliably
collapses the consistent political system.
The establishment is a group of around 1000 individuals interlinked with each other,
some are from military, some from bureaucracy, judiciary and intelligence and they are funded
and linked with feudal lords, elites and businessmen. The idea of tactical depth as part of the
establishment politics was also presented by General Zia-ul-haq. He combined this term in the
context of politics and military strategy.
Literature Review
The establishment is considered as one of the most remarkable and influential institution
in both developed and developing nations on account of their inward realm. In addition, with
regards to characterizing, explaining and accomplishing exterior or security measures. There are
numerous researches, articles and books that talked about Pakistani military and their job in
political framework. I studied 20 research articles and journals to write this literature review.
Pakistan is facing same problems from 1958 since General Ayyub Khan, who imposed
first martial law in the country and who later changed his government to presidential system and
became the president of Pakistan. (Munir, 2015). This is important to know that how this coup
happens first time in Pakistan and how and why this happened? It is very important to know
because our country is facing same political disbalance and still doesn’t have the political system
of the satisfaction of citizens of Pakistan. In every decade, our democracy system is toppled,
situation became weak, strikes occur in different areas due to which people became disturbed
and impatient and they need messiah and that's best opportunity for Military to become messiah
and the messiah comes donning khaki.
The truth, however, is, that due to this non-profitable interference of establishment in
politics and government the development of country effects a lot. Both military establishment
and common people, the followers of democracy are affecting from whole this self-made drama.
CLIO. (1968)
Here are some facts that were common all times whenever martial law is imposed in
the country or establishment interfere in state politics and that result in military
directly involvement in the affairs of the country. These factors are National security (the ghost
that continues), presence of administrative vacuums, Civil-military connivances, the dreams
of how thing could be. Shah, A. (2011). Whenever the establishment wants to interfere in
country, they use this formula that country is in crisis and not protected and defense of the
country is weak, and development of the country is not good. Through this formula they directly
got involved in country and affairs and martial law is imposed. In 1958 same formula was used
by Gen Ayyub Khan, who make president of Pakistan Sikandar mirza forced to resign, that only
military can make the country powerful and stabled. Sikandar mirza was forcefully resigned and
shifted to Quetta, later he got settled in London.
Focusing on the last three decades of influence of the establishment in the politics. It was
1998, when Pakistan became superpower, everything was going so balanced and the interference
of military was less observed until the end of 1999 when Nawaz shareef was considered as
politically corrupt and a Hungry man, whose hunger can only be demolished by Power. Jahangir
Karamay was COAS at that time he forced government to give permission to military to take part
in country’s policies to make civil and bureaucracy balanced but right after two days he resigned
from his post and hand over his post to General Pervaiz Musharraf. Kashmir issue and many
terrorist events gave pure justification to Gen Pervaiz Musharraf to overthrow the civil
government and he did it by taking government in his hands by the argument that he wants to
maintain the law and reinforce the governance institutions.
Pakistani citizens believed that this will be for a short period of time and after the
stability of institution and powers, everything will be normal and new elections will be called but
Musharraf didn’t do this. He continued his military government till 2002 October when he
announced elections.
In July of 2001 Musharraf announce himself as a president formerly meeting with the
Indian authority to continue his control inside the Pakistani government. He has meanwhile
reviewed all territorial antagonist Islamic groups all over Pakistan and advised them to return
their weapons to the central government. He has been insistent on Pakistan's situation on
Kashmir, which brought about shortening conversations with India. He helped out the American
government and western world in the coalition in contradiction of terrorist organizations, which
places him in an awkward situation with his neighbor Afghanistan and the petulant worshipers
inside Pakistan who feel for the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden on an ethnic, ideological and
political level.
National accountability bureau (NAB) made a consensus briefing that Army generals and
judges must be held accountable Infront of authority but it was broken within 24 hours because it
wasn’t in the favor of establishment. Then, there is military courts. From one viewpoint military
says it didn't need it however when enactment was done no such articulation was given. Dharna
and lockdown were likewise used to overstep on the nonmilitary authorities (Civilians).
Regardless of this impact a few individuals from establishment need considerably more and are
advancing an account that technocrats ought to be introduced. When some writers expounded on
previous General, Lt Gen Tariq Khan's online life works on the side of technocrats he gave a
reply in which his fundamental contention was that he has the option to talk about governmental
issues as a common resident of Pakistan. I concur that he has that privilege however I have a
worry that did he hold such undemocratic contemplations when he was corps administrator and
whether he additionally acted to understand those thoughts.

Establishment can never bear the huge influence of Political parties and political figures
on common citizens and it is against the policies and interest of establishment. That’s why they
destabilize the famous political parties and figures in past such as, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Nawaz
Shareef, and the future of Imran Khan until the conversion Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) to
PTI-L (Lotas) with the heavy support and participation of establishment.
Chief of army staff General kiyani was biggest threat to Pakistan’s democracy, he was
appointed as a Chief on 29th November 2007 and remained until 29th November 2013. He
remained for six years and at that time it was believed that he might impose martial law in state.
A proper strategy was made to impose martial law but suddenly on 29th November 2013, when
he announced to retire. This decision was welcomed a lot by both opposition and government
leaders.
In 2013, Nawaz Shareef became the prime minister of Pakistan for the third time but
history repeated itself for the third time again when Nawaz shareef was disqualified in 2015 and
establishment once again got success in its aim of interfering in politics and taking part in
country’s policies by throwing out a democratic elected prime minister. Nawaz wished to make
change by boosting economy and improve business sector and that wasn’t acceptable by
establishment. Disqualification of Nawaz shareef was establishment’s win and this is what
happens in Pakistan always, the democracy is disordered under the face of accountability.
Establishment's role in our Political issues is essentially evident. But now, things have
radically been changed at this point. From Raheel Sharif's extension to the matter of Dawn leaks
the weakness of the establishment is an unmistakable sign concerning where do they stand now.
Establishment is unquestionably controlling Nawaz's Indian strategy yet is Modi allowing to

Nawaz to mollify our willful 'young men'? Modi's BJP is a gathering of Hindu-radicals having
no delicate corner for Pakistan, and maybe for Muslims as well. It will be silly to exclusively
warning the Pakistani establishment for the predominant disquiet and condition of doubt among
Pakistan and India.
With the above measures, the general population view of the armed force can be
effectively safeguarded whenever. Indeed, even after populist developments remove despots,
after some time, individuals begin to see the armed force as a national resource and starts its
implementation to safe country from own and inaccessible threats. However, all above factors
are not enough to force common people to support army rule. So, in what way would we verve
from a fair now to an autocrat than?
The time comes when establishment completes their personal and self-driven agendas, or
they failed in making good form of government they start blaming. This is a kind of self-
developed tradition, by which they blame every harmful activity on India and Afghanistan and
proves themselves the protective of the national threat. These two combinations provide much
needed room to the dictators. And we Pakistani are an incredibly forgiving and forgetful a lot, we
forget very fast that what's done wrong with us. Establishment is alleged of implementing their
own policies through the help of Political parties with the weak political structure, most of
the time our politicians are used as tissue by establishment like it's going now in Pakistan and
the weak point of our politicians is power and that's given to them and after completing
their tasks they are exposed by establishment. The establishment has gained the craft of turning
its key habits to triumphs. It is this profound express that has reduced and trimmed majority rule
system, guaranteeing the nations remains fixed for a little yet self-aggrandizing tip top. What's
more until that progressions, majority rule system in Pakistan will remain endangered. Ziring, L.
(1993).
Pakistan got independence by the sacrifices of our pure blood and hard work of our
true leaders. Pakistan was very peaceful and loving nation, every citizen of the country was
living happy life until establishment started interfering in nation policies, public affairs and
politics.
Establishment has very important role in country every policy, but the role must be
positive not like the role of our establishment in Pakistan that is totally negative. The start of this
interference takes place first time when first martial law was imposed. General Ayyub, in plot
with President Sikandar Mirza, dragged it off in 1958 when the terrible administration in all
provinces was esteemed reason enough to step up.
Establishment (informal political system) is playing a negative role in Pakistan because
they have their personal self-driven agendas and benefits. Some do this for their families, some
for their tribes, some for their province, all of them can go to any extent just to
benefit themselves no one did anything till now for their country. This role of establishment is
the root of major problems of Pakistan such as extremism, corruption, political instability
and terrorism.
Pakistan is misery facing a hazardous problem known as “Establishment”. Every
vital institution in Pakistan is controlled by the “Establishment”. It is a system of
important positions in almost all departments of the state. This system delivers complete
support and harmless backup to their "touts" just to make sure that they are in their control. The
roots of establishment relate to underworld and many secret agencies of world. Pakistan might be
a very developed and peaceful state if establishment didn't interfere in its politics,
because Politics is only thing in the country that can make country very good and very worst,
good politics can make good policies and good policies can make nation good and developed.
The role of establishment can be improved in Pakistan, if they stop interfering in State
politics, the only way to control the role of establishment to its constitutional role and to control
the interference of establishment in politics, is uninterrupted continuance of political
and democratic process. Democracy has a built-in system of accountability. Once democracy
is allowed to work continuously and elected leadership is empowered to take decisions
freely, establishment will be controlled to its constitutional and legal jurisdiction. In many
places, our politicians also play a very negative role which later causes many big issues
in country, but again cause is the same that our politicians are owned by
establishment. Whenever the country is in critical situation, the military and secret agencies
including establishment has to control the situation, instead of controlling that situation they start
to make something beneficial for them and to clear the ways to their success, they are doing this
only to make themselves powerful. By doing and repeating this process again and again they are
now the most powerful authority in the country with the most powerful name
of “Establishment”. Elisa Ada Giunchi. (2014).
Major problems of the state can be solved easily if we create the balance between
different state actors. State actors in politics can be well-defined as the entities which have these
three features: (a) They must have the independent capacity to control their own determinations
and interests; (b) They must also have the competence to assemble human and material resources
to achieve these purposes and interests; (c) Their activities must be enough to effect the state-to-
state relations or the performance of other non-state actors in the global system. State is superior
over other states if it has sovereignty, means supreme authority of the state is obeyed and
followed by civil society AKHTER, M. (2012). States such as USA and China are powerful
because they have sovereignty in the state, that's why they are powerful and well developed.
Balance can be created between different state actors by controlling different things in the
country, if the population of the country is larger than you must have to increase your country
economy. Both related things in the country must be directly proportional to each other to make
balance between different state actors. Ziring, L. (1993). Countries whose are having balanced
state actors are China, USA, India etc. because these countries have both factors equal, largest
economy and largest population. State actors are playing most important role in state
development, because both are inter-related with each other.
Establishment is playing a vital role by creating state and non-state actors, because if
they want something to be done that's beneficial for them, they create state actors but if that's not
possible through positive way then they create non-state actors such as different religious groups.
Major countries with largest population are developed and they have good economical and good
political system because there is no interference of establishment in politics and many other
major factors of country. Other countries have control on their establishment because they have
strong policies for everyone in the country and same policies are for bureaucrats, military and
elite class and so known "Establishment".
Methodology
In this research, I will apply qualitative methodology and it will be conclusion based
drawn on data collected from both primary and secondary sources. I will use dependent and
independent variables in this research. The dependent variable is Pakistani Politics and
independent variables are Political ideology, establishment, media, weak party structure and
clientelism. To complete my primary research, I will conduct face to face interview of two
opposition leaders and one government leader, one of the leaders is Member of Provincial
assembly of Baluchistan. I will interview them for the purpose to present the ideology of
opposition and government leaders about establishment’s interference in politics. The second
method of my primary source, I will use some library resources such as some articles related to
my topic since the imposing of very first martial law in Pakistan. For the purpose of my
secondary research sources, I will be getting help from journal articles, some specific books and
using some websites such as Jstor, Google scholar, Brititinca, Iranica.
Measuring Role of Establishment in Pakistan Politics
Questions Variable Question Type
1. How would you define Pakistani Politics and to Pakistani Politics Prompt
what extent do you associate yourself with it?
2. Name any political gathering/activity that you Political ideology Example
have been a part of?
3. Are you aware of establishment’s policies? If so, Establishment Formal Prompt
how?
4. How well aware are you about establishment? Do Establishment Hypothetical
you feel stressed due to the role of establishment

in Pakistani Politics?
5. Do you think establishment is interfering in Establishment Example/Prompt
Pakistani Politics? If yes, then how is it affecting
Pakistani Politics?
6. Have you ever supported the ideology of any Political ideology Example
establishment supported Party or movement, did

Establishment
that ideology had any positive outcome? If yes,
which one
7. Do you think the political party you are part of, Political ideology Not sure
often faces discrimination by government?
8. Do you think the media is controlled by Media Example/Prompt
establishment? If yes, then how and Which form
of media do you trust the most and why do you
prefer that?
9. When did you start taking interest in politics? Pakistani politics Grand Tour Question
Tell us something about your political career
10. Do you think that clientelism among different Weak Party Structure Not sure
political parties makes the party structure weak?

Clientelism
Dependent Variable: Pakistani Politics
Independent Variable: establishment, weak party structure, political ideology, media, Clientelism
Transcript
I interviewed three political figures, first one is Nasrullah Khan Zeray who is from
Pakhtunkhwa milli awami party and is member of Baluchistan’s provincial assembly since last
10 years and he is well known opposition leader, second from Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (Fazal
Rehman) which is opposition party and other from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf which is in
government.
Interview 3:
I interviewed Nasrullah khan zeray, who is very good honest politician and who is
currently member of Provincial assembly of Baluchistan. I went to his office and gave him my
questions. He was so busy due to new budget so he told me that he will send answers on
WhatsApp voice notes and he send voice notes of answers to me.
Q1: How would you define Pakistani Politics and to what extent do you associate yourself with
it?
Answer: After independence, Pakistan was a land with no constituition from 1947 to 1956. In
1956, when constitution was made, with the gap of only two years in 1958 this constitution was
removed, and martial law was imposed and till 1968 General Ayyub Khan was a martial law
administrator. After that, General Yahya Khan came and during that time fall of Dhaka happened
and Bangladesh was separated. Then, Bhutto was Prime minister for only four years and in 1977
his government was ended by General Zia-ul-haq and he imposed martial law again till 1988.
Them from 1989 till 1999, Nawaz shareef and Benazir Bhutto were prime ministers. But again in
1999, Gen Musharraf imposed martial law which continued for 10 years and now we have
democratic assemblies. 2018 elections were also selected election, selected people were brought
Infront which were rejected by many parties. So, I think that Pakistani politics is directly and
indirectly disturbed by military and four times directly martial law was imposed by military
establishment and now all powers are in hands of establishment and civil martial law is imposed
in state.
Q2 & Q9: Name any political gathering/activity that you have been a part of? And When did you
start taking interest in politics? Tell us something about your political career
Answer: when I was in school, then in college, I joined PSO (Pakhtunkhwa student organization)
and at that time there was martial law in country and we started different movements by our
combined alliances against Gen Zia and I participated in such movements at that time. I oversaw
different seats of PSO in my university time. Then I was secretary of my area unit. After the end
of Gen Zia’s government, I started politics on party level then I became deputy secretary of
Quetta, after that I was Information secretary of PKMAP. In 2013, I participated in elections and
I won seat of MPA from PB5 and again in 2018 I won same seat of same area, but name was
changed to PB31. So, it’s been more than 35 years that I am doing politics practically and I
attended thousands of meetings, marches, jaloos and movements.
Q3: Are you aware of establishment’s policies? If so, how?
Answer: As I said earlier that since 11th august 1947, when Quaid e Azam delivered his first
speech Infront of assembly in Karachi. At that time his speech was stopped from printing in
newspapers. Since then, interference started, and even Jinnah said before his death that Gen
Ayyub khan is a lot of interest in politics so he must be stopped. Then, many prime ministers
were changed in very less time and in 1958, he imposed martial. Then Gen Yahya Khan, fall of
Dhaka, Gen Zia, Gen Musharraf, till now. Establishment’s role is visible. Even now, civil martial
law is imposed in country, everything is in the hands of establishment. Sanctions are held on
everything including press and media. Human right violation, terrorism, missing persons issues,
problems in tribal areas, everything is done by establishment and everyone knows about this
now.
Q4 & Q5: How well aware are you about establishment? Do you feel stressed due to the role of
establishment in Pakistani Politics? And Do you think establishment is interfering in Pakistani
Politics? If yes, then how is it affecting Pakistani Politics?
Answer: All political parties and all political workers are facing issues in this regard because
establishment is interfering in politics completely. In our province Baluchistan, one party BAP
(Baluchistan awami Party) was created and before that people were elected in senate elections by
establishment and BAP’s members were selected and Chief minister seat was given to the
member of BAP party. So, in this way all political workers must work for liberal democratic
society and the situation imposed on political workers by establishment is very stressful, but we
are aware of establishment’s policies.
Q6: Have you ever supported the ideology of any establishment supported Party or movement,
did that ideology had any positive outcome? If yes, which one
Answer: PKMAP has always been against establishment since its foundation and even before
Pakistan’s creation, our ancestor Khan Abdul Samad Khan Shaheed fought against British for
independence. Till that time till now, we haven’t supported any created policy and party of
establishment and we remained against it always such as PTI which is brought in government by
establishment and BAP party and we will struggle against establishment always.
Q7: Do you think the political party you are part of, often faces discrimination by government?
Answer: Establishment and establishment created parties has always worked against us, against
people like me and PKMAP. Our strikes and rallies are being attacked, Khan Shaheed Samad
Khan was kept in jail for 32 years and he was killed. Om 7th October 1983, Rally was attacked in
Quetta which was against Gen Zia and four workers of our party were killed. Dozens were kept
in jail and wounded and our chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai’s house was attacked in which
hundreds of party workers were killed. Then in 1991, our party office was attacked in which five
of our workers were killed. Our party remained on target of establishment. When Gen Musharraf
took over, he attacked on our homes in which our more four companions were killed, and we
bear this for the democracy.
Q8: Do you think the media is controlled by establishment? If yes, then how and Which form of
media do you trust the most and why do you prefer that?
Answer: From start this policy is applied, when there wasn’t any electronic media, then print
media was controlled and our gatherings were boycotted and in the era of electronic media,
establishment against parties are being neglected, no coverage is given to us and electronic
media and print media is in the hands of establishment. Some two news channels are covering
some domestic issuers rather that all are in the hands of establishment.
Q10: Do you think that clientelism among different political parties makes the party structure
weak?
Answer: Yes, parties which faces issues due to corruption and internally problem is making party
structure weak and this issue must be solved to make party balanced and stabled.
Interview 2:
I interviewed Abdul Qadeem Barech, who is media advisor of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam
Fazal Rehman and is very active in politics from last 10 years. Due to corona pandemic, he
wasn’t able to participate in live interviews that’s why he sends me voice notes of answers on
WhatsApp. I told him about my topic after which he agreed.
it?
Answer: I will describe Pakistani Politics in a way that, in current time Pakistani Politics is in the
hands of establishment. As you asked that to what extent I am associated with politics so right
now I am political and social worker. I am attached to politics as much as a child is attached to
his mother.
Q2: Name any political gathering/activity that you have been a part of?
Answer: Alhamdulillah, I have been part of very good political gatherings and activities.
Recently, I participated in Sit-down against Imran Khan in Islamabad which was organized by
Maulana Fazal Rehman and opposition leaders. When Maulana announced Azadi march, I went
to Islamabad from Quetta. I stayed there for eighteen days continuously and in a same way I was
part of Jamiat ulama-e-Islam (Sad sala Conference) in Noushera, KPK for five days. In last two
years, I was part of all gatherings of Maulana Fazal Rehman against Government such as Mardan
million march and Dera Ismail Khan million march and many other political gatherings.
Answer: Yes, I understand that right now even a child of Pakistan is aware of establishment’s
policies. Currently, in our country Pakistan, whole control is in the hands of establishment. Every
policy is directed by establishment, whenever there is chance of electing members through
election, the establishment play their cards by making their peoples the part of federal
government. I think, all policies are directed by establishment and even our Prime minister is
dummy of establishment. In last government, China was given important and CPEC was started
but, current government don’t have its own policies. The policy of establishment is governed to
make china and aside and give importance to America.
Q4: How well aware are you about establishment? Do you feel stressed due to the role of
establishment in Pakistani Politics?
Answer: As you asked that how well aware you about establishment are. So, I think that in
Pakistan people are now well aware and civilized. It’s the era of social media, everyone knows
about establishment. In other way, as a political worker, I feel very stressed due to the
establishment involvement in politics. You can clearly see the role of establishment in our
country, I think that every political worker is stressed and suppressed due to the involvement of
establishment in politics.
Q5: Do you think establishment is interfering in Pakistani Politics? If yes, then how is it
affecting Pakistani Politics?

Answer: Yeah, Establishment’s involvement is clearly visible in Pakistani Politics because I
have been part of many election campaigns and I have seen everything how much our
establishment and institutions are interfering and it is exactly right that establishment’s role in
Pakistan politics is not new, it is seen since the independence of Pakistan that the democracy is
always weakened by imposing martial laws. That’s why, in Pakistani politics, establishment’s
interference has many negative affects because by this way democracy is weakened and when in
any country democracy is taken for granted then country becomes weak and economy is
collapsed. Only democratic people can take good care of common citizens. I think that
establishment is directly interfering in Pakistani politics and this must be stopped. As a political
worker, I respect every Pakistani institution and on behalf of every political worker, I am giving
this massage to establishment that in this country everyone should do his own work. Every
institution and establishment must do their work under the law and order and constitution and
neither democratic people have the right to interfere in establishment’s work nor establishment
has right to interfere in democracy.
Q6: Have you ever supported the ideology of any establishment supported Party or movement,
did that ideology had any positive outcome? If yes, which one
Answer: As a political worker, I never supported ideology of any establishment supported party
nor establishment directly. We political workers are the followers of Pakistani ideology and we
only accept one ideology of establishment and that is Pakistan Zindabad and Pakistan before all.
Q7: Do you think the political party you are part of, often faces discrimination by government?
Answer: I am personally part of religious political party, Jamiat ulama-e-Islam Pakistan. I have
always seen the worst behavior and discrimination of establishment and government against
religious parties. Because eastern establishment doesn’t accept the ideology of religious parties
in Pakistan. There’s always been government of liberal and secular parties in Pakistan and they
always hates the religious groups. Both establishment and government have worst policy towards
Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam. Religious parties have huge vote bank in Pakistan but in elections, our
votes are neglected and wasted by establishment and secular people are brought in front. I think,
my party faces a lot of discrimination from government and Pakistani establishment.
Answer: In Pakistan, both electronic and press media is working under establishment. They can’t
show truth, they can’t write truth. If you want to publish your any article in print media, it is first
passed by establishment and if it is approved by establishment then it is published in news. In
Pakistan, if any journalists say truth, he will face consequences like famous journalist Hamid Mir
did Karachi where he was wounded by six bullets in his body. Recently, in Chaman two
journalists were kidnapped and threatened and then they were released. I think that the control of
electronic and press media is in the hand of establishment. That’s why, we political and social
workers believe more on social media than print and electronic media. I personally consider
social media as free media; we have free right to say truth and forward it to millions of people
through social media. People don’t believe on electronic and social media now because they
know that both don’t have freedom and they can’t say truth and they are under establishment. So,
in Pakistan people and all social activists give preference to social media.
Q9: When did you start taking interest in politics? Tell us something about your political career
Answer: You have asked about my interest in politics, I have interest in politics since my
childhood because my whole family belongs to a political family and I have good political
background. My political career has started in a nationalist party and when I was working as
political worker in that national party, I went to Quetta Mach jail in 1998 by the hands of
Pakistan army in one strike and I spent forty days in jail. On 16th January 2016, I changed my
political party and now I am part of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam. I am working as Islamist and
religious worker to spread Islam in Pakistan and I am also contributing as a social worker on
different platforms.
weak?
Answer: yes, we feel this that clientelism between different political parties makes the party
structure weak. Let me give you example, in last two years, I have seen that in our province,
PKMAP (Pakhtunkhwa milli swami party) and Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam and on different levels,
secular and religious parties worked together. I think that due to this every party is weaken
internally and the differences between party leaders are increased because everyone has different
thinking. PKMAP has different ideology while JUI(F) has different ideology. Some has religious
ideology; some has liberal ideology. So, I think, due to clientelism between parties, the party
structure is weakened.
Interview 3:
I interviewed Bari Barech, who is general secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf
Baluchistan. He fought two elections for member of provincial assembly in 2013 and 2018
election. He is very active and senior politician. I went to his office and told him about my thesis
and then he gave me live interviews which is recorded. I didn’t ask one question which is about
discrimination by government towards his party because he is currently part of PTI which is in
government.
Me: Please introduce yourself.
Mr Bari: Bari Barech is my name, I am from PTI and I am general secretary of Baluchistan PTI.
Me: So, my topic is role of establishment in Pakistani Politics, either it is positive or negative so
I will ask few questions related to my topic and answer me what you think as politician and as
general secretary of PTI.
He agreed.
it?
Answer: looking into Pakistani politics. Before 1970s, the role of politician was very good but
after 70’s, Pakistani politics came to a point that instead of country’s development we are going
backward. God has awarded us with every existing natural resource but instead of this, after 70s’
we are in debt and we are helpless. No country can afford this, our past is good than our present
because all dams were made before 70s. Nothing is done related to politics. So, now since PTI is
in government, there is hope that the national issues will be solved. Since my school time when I
was in 9th class, I am active in politics because I think that if the intentions of politician is
positive and if the people from small background plays good role in politics then improvement
will be seen on national level. I think that everyone like me must work on a political platform to
give positivity to our country. So, this way I am playing my role as a political worker.
Q2: Name any political gathering/activity that you have been a part of?
Answer: I am doing my politics from the background of PTI. I started my politics from PKMAP
and in 2011, I joined PTI. I was part of local government as Nazim in 2009 and later I took part
in 2013 and 2018 election for the seat of MPA from the platform of PTI.
Answer: establishment has huge involvement in politics and IGI was formed, different parties
were supported by establishment. Majority of political parties are formed by establishment. So
establishment in in Pakistan politics because our leadership is weak and to fill the gap of good
leadership maybe that’s why establishment is interfering in politics.
Q4: How well aware are you about establishment? Do you feel stressed due to the role of
establishment in Pakistani Politics?
Answer: There must be no role of establishment in politics. Establishment has its own
responsibilities to do but then that gap must be filled which is filled by establishment.
Involvement of establishment is not considered well but there is no pressure on anyone in
Pakistan. The citizens of Pakistan has freedom of speech greater than any nation in the world.
Even America and Britain have not given that much freedom to their citizens.
Answer: Our political process has huge gap; our upper leadership doesn’t have direct connection
with people. So, this gap made by politicians is filled by establishment. We say bad to
establishment, but the fact can’t be ignored that all dams which exists in Pakistan were created
by establishment. So now, we think that PTI which is symbol of hope for whole Pakistan. If such
pure leadership like PTI remains, then we will see that role of establishment will be very less in
Pakistan politics.
We can’t blame establishment for everything, Baluchistan’s politics is changed from Pakistani
Politics to some extent. Total seats are about 60 and 23 seats are electable while others are
already in the hands of powerful sardars and nawabs who have votes in their areas. So, such
sardars and nawabs combines and make one party for their self-driven agenda which is very
harmful to Pakistani and Baluchistan’s politics.
Answer: I can’t accept establishment nor have I right to do this but as a political worker I have to
work on politics, and I have done this. But this is true that many projects on Baluchistan level
such as our roads, sports, cricket everything is done in their era. Grounds were made in all
districts and we appreciate this work of establishment.
In the tenure of PPP (Pakistan People’s party), many wrong things were done such as, in place
one person, five persons were appointed. Merit is ignored and in reaction our institutions get in
debts. We can never accept that people of establishment can run our institutions, but this is the
weakness of our process. All generals who are heads of different institutions are because of the
wrong policies of politician’s leaders. If our leaders play good role for the betterment of this
country, then there will be no place for establishment.

Answer: As I said earlier that we have a lot of freedom than many other countries. I think that
truth must be spoken, there are many journalists who have their specific amount and they don’t
leave anyone, and the journalists has stronger position. There were journalists who used to ride
bikes but now they have big businesses and they are owners of private jets. If they were in
control of establishment, the situation would be changed, and they won’t be in this position. I am
not satisfied with any source of news. Our news channels job is to recognize national and
domestic issues and to help in solving it but our media is doing against this. Media is going on
wrong path and the result will never be in favor of people. I am disappointed that media is
playing negative role but looking into social media, 15% of news is real while 85% is fake.
Q9: When did you start taking interest in politics? Tell us something about your political career
Answer: Since my childhood, I worked as a political worker in PKMAP which is nationalist
party and is working for the right of Pashtuns which is always ignored. Every caste had its name
and popularity but only we Pashtuns were ignored at that time. So, I started my career for the
betterment of my nation. At that time, our family politics was linked with this party then I
worked with honesty and continued my politics till 2011 when due to some problems and some
policies, I left that party and joined PTI. I joined this party looking into the life of Imran khan
who left his good and relaxed life for the betterment and future of this country and the justice is
the motive of Imran khan and through him only, justice can come in Pakistan. We are satisfied
with the arguments and promises of Imran Khan and I have fought in two elections from PTI and
we will continue this struggle as a follower of Imran Khan with the hope that this country will be
pure.
weak?
Answer: Clientelism for personal agendas is negative. Looking into our country’s situation,
every country is going towards decline. By PTI, there is hope of good. We must think for the
betterment of our country first but sadly there is no understanding in parties. Personal agendas
are given priority above national agendas. Coalition of parties for the betterment of country is
good but it is very rare, our workers are even against such decisions. So, I hope that every party
must build good understanding that every decision must be rejected by everyone which is against
the betterment of country.
Analysis:
The fact can’t be ignored that establishment is directly and indirectly interfering in
Pakistani politics. As I interviewed three political figures, all of them accepted that establishment
be involved in politics and two of then said that the role of establishment is very negative in our
political system. The establishment has controlled all institutions of Pakistan including media
which is the only source of conveying news and information to general public. Majority of
conflicts in Pakistan is generated by our establishment for their self-driven agendas. The fact is
that, establishment can play positive role in the development and stability of Pakistan but since
the independence of Pakistan, from the very first speech of Quaid-e-Azam, establishment took
over all institutions completely in Pakistan and due to this role and own agendas, martial law has
been imposed four times and which has weakened democracy and the political structure of
Pakistan. We can’t blame establishment for everything, there are some faults of politicians and
political parties in destroying the whole structure of Pakistan including the political structure.
Pakistan is a country whose whole policies are controlled by establishment. Everyone has his
own ideology; some accept the fact that establishment has interference while some reject the fact
because they are not aware of these policies and some ignore this fact instead of knowing
everything, but they ignore this because they have no other choice. The establishment’s role is
very vital in Baluchistan than other provinces but it very negative. The politicians who are in
government has connections with establishment. Once a civilized man spend time in Baluchistan,
he will easily know the truth. Establishment of Pakistan has a very negative role in Pakistan
politics as they have intervened in it directly five times by imposing martial law, tried to
weakened democracy many times and have invented leaders to play their cards in politics.
Conclusion:
We have come to the edge of overthrows in the past without going over the power, And
even today, while there’s surely an inequality in the civil-military relations, both sides do seem
to have found ways to securely coincide for the time being, especially since the necessities of a
militant threat have readapted priorities.
Though, the opinion being made is that if circumstances are conductive, and some or all
the issues outlined above are existing, the opportunity to go about an actual coup soon presents
itself.
This last step is reasonably the riskiest of all and requires a lot of value judgment and
assessment. Has the public been worked enough? Will the civilians go quietly?
Furthermore, the planning as well as the genuine strategy for the takeover must be
thought. Curiously, this last advance, while being upsetting to no finishes, likewise considers the
most measure of individual style by the way one approaches their coup making.
Along these lines at that point, eagerness with stammering democracy keep running by
avaricious elites and will lead to unfriendly environment. There are dependably insufficiencies
insider our administrative system that incite investigating practices from that all the more
effective organizations in the nation. A smidgen of straightforwardness, responsibility, and
obligations in democratic government can go far in settling the nation and securing against the
likelihood of aggregate loss of law-based control took after by martial law administrators.
Quietly? Can the managerial wreckage be dealt with?
Civilian and common people cannot bear this anymore, they cannot sit silent, they do
have awareness now that what is good and what is wrong for them. They know everything that
establishment has done very wrong with our political system and the entire nation. The results of
this wrong doings by establishment are hazardous to the state because many major problems are
caused by them, missing person issue is by them because all missing persons are being
kidnapped by them to stop resistance against them. How country be economically stable until the
internal affairs are not in control? The roots of major conflicts and distality in Pakistan is
connected with establishment.

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Role of Establishment in Pakistani Politics

Role of Establishment in Pakistani Politics

FINAL THESIS PLSC 403

Name: Saadat Khan Barech

Roll number: 20-11232

Course: PLSC 341

Forman Christian College (A chartered University)

establishment in every organization. Bengal was separated, ethnic conflict is on peak,

and fact-based awareness.

Pakistan’s History is repeatedly ruled by military dictators and establishment’s created

Keywords: Establishment, Democracy, Politics, Martial law, Illiberal democracy.

not interfere in others work. In Pakistan, everything is planned by establishment. “A Political

judiciary is called establishment” (Stephen, P Collins). In many country establishments plays a

collapses the consistent political system.

context of politics and military strategy.

and the messiah comes donning khaki.

that continues), presence of administrative vacuums, Civil-military connivances, the dreams

shifted to Quetta, later he got settled in London.

maintain the law and reinforce the governance institutions.

whether he additionally acted to understand those thoughts.

PTI-L (Lotas) with the heavy support and participation of establishment.

Establishment is unquestionably controlling Nawaz's Indian strategy yet is Modi allowing to

Pakistan and India.

from a fair now to an autocrat than?

provinces was esteemed reason enough to step up.

Establishment (informal political system) is playing a negative role in Pakistan because

Pakistan is misery facing a hazardous problem known as “Establishment”. Every

vital institution in Pakistan is controlled by the “Establishment”. It is a system of

the interference of establishment in politics, is uninterrupted continuance of political

is allowed to work continuously and elected leadership is empowered to take decisions

of “Establishment”. Elisa Ada Giunchi. (2014).

development, because both are inter-related with each other.

elite class and so known "Establishment".

using some websites such as Jstor, Google scholar, Brititinca, Iranica.

Measuring Role of Establishment in Pakistan Politics

Questions Variable Question Type

what extent do you associate yourself with it?

2. Name any political gathering/activity that you Political ideology Example

have been a part of?

3. Are you aware of establishment’s policies? If so, Establishment Formal Prompt

4. How well aware are you about establishment? Do Establishment Hypothetical

you feel stressed due to the role of establishment

5. Do you think establishment is interfering in Establishment Example/Prompt

Pakistani Politics? If yes, then how is it affecting

establishment supported Party or movement, did

often faces discrimination by government?

8. Do you think the media is controlled by Media Example/Prompt

establishment? If yes, then how and Which form

of media do you trust the most and why do you

Tell us something about your political career

political parties makes the party structure weak?

Dependent Variable: Pakistani Politics

WhatsApp voice notes and he send voice notes of answers to me.

attended thousands of meetings, marches, jaloos and movements.

Q3: Are you aware of establishment’s policies? If so, how?

establishment in Pakistani Politics? And Do you think establishment is interfering in Pakistani

Politics? If yes, then how is it affecting Pakistani Politics?

are aware of establishment’s policies.

bear this for the democracy.

I interviewed Abdul Qadeem Barech, who is media advisor of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam