The Struggle for Democracy in Pakistan (1988–1999): Causes of Failure

Abstract

This article examines the tumultuous decade of Pakistani democracy (1988–1999), during which four elected governments, two each led by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, were prematurely dismissed, revealing systemic weaknesses in democratic governance. The study identifies key factors behind this instability, including the misuse of the Eighth Amendment that enabled presidential overreach to dissolve governments, persistent military interference in civilian affairs, corruption, and the absence of a democratic culture. The analysis highlights how constitutional manipulations, institutional decay, and power struggles between civilian and military elites perpetuated a cycle of instability. The article concludes that sustainable democracy in Pakistan requires stronger institutions, reduced military influence, and accountable leadership committed to democratic norms, without which the nation risks perpetual political fragility.