The Military and Denied Development in the Pakistani Punjab: An Eroding Social Consensus

Anthem Frontiers of Global Political Economy

by Shahrukh Rafi Khan, Aasim Sajjad Akhtar, Sohaib Bodla (With)

Military power has long been a serious obstacle to a sustained democracy in Pakistan. The authors investigate the Pakistani military's retrogressive agrarian interventions in the Punjab, and outlines a change, as recognised by society, in the military's rightful function within the economy.

Set against the social resentment instigated by the military's agricultural land grabbing, and a burgeoning resistance to the military's overbearing and socially unjust role in Pakistan's economy, this book supplements a larger body of work detailing the military's hand in industrial, commercial, financial and real estate sectors. Any gain in economic autonomy wielded by the military makes it less answerable to civilian oversight, and makes it more likely to act to protect its economic interests.

The survival of civilian rule in Pakistan, which is critically important for the foreseeable future, requires a fundamental reordering of the balance of power between state institutions, and between state and society. Pakistan, long encumbered by the military yoke, has witnessed its first peaceful transition from one political administration to another; and in a move congenial to the consolidation of this democratic process, 'The Military and Denied Development in the Pakistani Punjab' exposes the nefarious nature of the military's predation, and signals a move for the military to be contained to its constitutionally mandated role - defence.

Genres: History, Economics

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2014

Reviews

[Abdul · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent summation of how the military in Pakistan has evolved into a land mafia. This book provides details of this evolution.

[Zohaib Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written by authors who clearly understand the subject and have conducted extensive research, making their work highly credible; unlike some other books that feel poorly written and contians some odd data. It takes the reader through a thoughtful exploration of how the state-society consensus in Punjab developed under colonial rule, arguing that true freedom from colonial influence requires dismantling this inherited social structure, which continues to give the military dominance over civilian institutions. The authors highlight how large areas of land in Punjab have been taken over by the army, not only leading to poor management but also displacing local communities, fueling growing resentment. The book concludes with a bold argument: achieving real democracy in Pakistan isn’t just about holding elections or drafting constitutions; it requires dismantling the military’s entrenched power and influence.