Pakistan is now undergoing its third democratic transition from quasi-military rule. Twenty months into this process, the future prospects remain uncertain. As with previous transitions, in the 1970s and 1980s, the public’s initial euphoria has subsided and has been replaced with cynicism and disquiet. Almost unparalleled economic and security crises have beset the fledgling democracy.
At the same time little headway has been made with the structural weaknesses which have undermined previous attempts to consolidate democracy.
This paper examines both sets of pressures in assessing the prospects for this third democratic transition in Pakistan.