Civil–Military Relations in Pakistan after the 2022 Political Crisis: A Shift or Continuity?

Abstract Book of the 11th International Conference on Modern Research in Social Sciences

Year: 2026

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Civil–Military Relations in Pakistan after the 2022 Political Crisis: A Shift or Continuity?

Umair Ibrahim, Muhammad Ijaz

ABSTRACT:

This study examines whether Pakistan’s civil–military relations after the 2022 political crisis represent a substantive shift or a continuation of established patterns, with specific focus on the period from April 2022 to early 2024 and on interactions between civilian governments, the military leadership, and key constitutional institutions. Civil–military relations have remained a defining feature of Pakistan’s political system, often shaping regime stability, democratic development, and governance outcomes. The ouster of an elected government in 2022 and the subsequent political instability reopened debates about military neutrality and civilian supremacy. Despite repeated claims of a “new phase” in civil–military relations, empirical evidence on whether structural change has occurred remains limited and contested. The study adopts a qualitative research design based on document analysis and elite discourse analysis. The population includes official statements, court judgments, policy documents, and speeches by civilian and military actors, supplemented by reports from credible national and international sources. The findings indicate that while the post-2022 period reflects a tactical recalibration in civil–military interaction, it does not amount to a structural transformation. The military’s role appears less overt but remains influential through informal mechanisms and institutional leverage. Civilian political actors continue to display dependency and fragmentation, limiting prospects for genuine civilian control. Judicial interventions further complicate the balance of power, reinforcing continuity rather than rupture. The study recommends institutional reforms to strengthen parliamentary oversight of security affairs and clarify constitutional boundaries. Sustainable improvement in civil–military relations requires political party institutionalization and adherence to democratic norms rather than reliance on episodic crises or leadership changes.

Keywords: Democratic governance, Political instability, Institutional balance of power, Civilian supremacy, Constitutional politics