Identifying Ruling Oligarchic Factions in Pakistan

It is important to identify the ruling oligarchic factions that have undermined the authority of the state and posed serious social and political consequences that Pakistan faces today. In no order of their notoriety, they include the land owing families, prominent business houses, civilian bureaucracy, and the military. If there is any objective notion of the “establishment” in Pakistan, these sectors of society constitute it.

Misconceived Idea of the Establishment

There is however, a misconceived idea of the establishment in popular discourse in a country that centers on the military as the major institution. There is no doubt that it has been a major political player both in power, and when not in power behind the scene, but all other powerful sectors of the ruling oligarchy either joined it or gave it passive support.

Basis of National Consensus

At least two of the military regimes, as indicated above, cultivated religious factions and parties. This broad based coalition (elite consociationalism) could in fact be the basis of national consensus on democratic political order, good society, and social, political, and economic modernization.

Pillars of Constraints

But these pillars in any stable constitutionalist democracy rest on the foundation of an independent judiciary, which is supposed to determine the boundaries of lawfulness and enforce the rule of law. Like mentioned before, all the civilian elected governments and the military regimes have, one after another, attacked the judiciary through many familiar and ingenious ways to place themselves firmly in power and rule the country without any constraint or limit on their exercise of power.

Ruling Class in Pakistan

Pakistan, like many other developing countries, has a ruling class or a “ruling caste.” We cannot understand the failure of the state without delving deep into the social structure of the ruling class, its values, political culture, and style of governance. If we consider the social and economic base as the foundation of class structure the ruling classes of Pakistan into three categories; landed and tribal aristocracy, the bureaucratic-military elites, and the business-industrial complex. The landed and tribal aristocracy can be better understood as the feudal class.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is crucial to understand the various oligarchic factions that make up the establishment in Pakistan and their role in undermining the authority of the state. These factions include the land-owing families, prominent business houses, civilian bureaucracy, and the military. The military is often considered to be the major institution in the establishment, but it is important to note that it has always had the support of other powerful elite segments. The basis of national consensus on democratic political order is often formed by the military cultivating religious factions and parties. However, these coalitions have proved to be more or less opportunistic and self-centered. In order to understand the failure of the state in Pakistan, it is important to delve into the social structure of the ruling class, their values, political culture, and style of governance. The ruling class in Pakistan can be broadly categorized into three groups: landed and tribal aristocracy, bureaucratic-military elites, and the business-industrial complex. Ultimately, it is essential to keep in mind that the restoration of an independent judiciary and the three pillars of constraints against constitutional deviations and abuse of power, constitutionalism, rule of law, and effective and impartial accountability of public office holders, are the key for the sustainable stability and progress of the country.