Policy Perspectives

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• Back Matter
• Civil-Military Relationship in a Democratic Pakistan

  The paper explores the futuristic calibration of Pakistan’s constitutional development and its interpretation through precedents in the face of multiple sociopolitical, socioeconomic, and legal challenges. In particular, it analyzes the essential normative characteristics of constitutional legal framework based on separation of powers between pillars of the state vis-à-vis civil-military relationship. The article attempts to assess the constitutional direction from a broader legal and jurisprudential perspective meant to provide an avenue of progress and prosperity through its compatibility with sociopolitical norms. The main inquiry of the article is whether the constitutional evolution of Pakistan as a democratic state would be able to withstand the burden of contemporary socioeconomic, sociopolitical, and geopolitical challenges in creating a balance of power between civil and military institutions or would lead to more blurred boundaries instigating institutional conflicts and interventionist models. The paper through legal lens draws upon theories of legal positivism and its critique to understand the constitutional legitimacy of military interventions in democratic and political system. It covers the literature gap in analyzing jurisprudential approach of Pakistan’s judiciary as custodian of constitutional and democratic norms vis-à-vis constitutional scheme of civil-military relations, and its institutionalization in comparison with other international models suggesting pragmatic civilian control. In the end, the paper recommends a comprehensive institutional framework carved out of domestic realities as well as internationally-recognized constitutional schemes.

• The Challenge of Governance and Public Representation in Pakistan

  While the problems of political instability, polarization, corruption, etc., are not unique to Pakistan and continue to afflict all countries and societies, a more representative, multi-tier system of governance can resolve such problems more efficiently and effectively with genuine public participation. Pakistan is currently facing serious political and economic crises. However, these crises point towards symptoms of the problem, the cause lies in governance. The challenge of good governance can be met by reforming the electoral system, among other things. There are mainly two electoral systems in vogue in the world – the traditional ‘first-past-the-post’, and the ‘proportional representation’. This paper argues that the former only promotes individual and parochial interests, while disenfranchising majority votes. The latter one represents all segments of society besides promoting national feeling and character. The constitution of Pakistan though gives an elaborate and practicable framework for governance, it still has room for amendments in keeping with the demands of changing times. Introducing electoral reforms, improving the existing system, at national and local level, and focusing on the quality of ‘governors’ are crucial steps to achieve better governance.

• In this issue
• Decentralization of Environmental Governance in Pakistan and its Impact on Sustainable Development

  Environmental governance is a key instrument towards sustainable development that requires full information, sound decision-making procedures, implementation of rules and their execution according to internationally accepted standards. While Pakistan has made progress in devising legislations and laws to manage major environmental issues, it is still not as close to its target of achieving sustainable development despite several decades of efforts at environmental regulation and governance. This paper evaluates the post-18th Amendment scenario regarding the achievement of sustainable environment through better environmental governance in Pakistan. The country is facing serious environmental challenges of ever-increasing environmental pollution, losing fertile lands, depleting fragile water resources and poor human development. Pakistan ranks 161 among 192 countries regarding its Human Development Index (HDI) because of its dismal performance in the fields of education, health, and income. In 2022, Pakistan’s Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranking was 176th among 180 countries with a score of 24.6. Despite decentralization efforts, Pakistan has failed to achieve considerable improvement in environmental governance and management. To address these issues, there is a need to review the pros and cons of the 18th Amendment in the constitution of Pakistan objectively and modify it if needed. To facilitate inter-provincial and inter-sectoral coordination, different institutions, and statutory bodies relevant to environmental governance formed after the 18th Amendment should be made functional to devise comprehensive and collaborative strategies for sustainable development.

• Syed Khawar Mehdi, comp., Iskander Mirza: Pakistan's First Elected President's Memoirs from Exile

  The latest book titled Iskander Mirza: Pakistan’s First Elected President’s Memoirs from Exile is a profound and historical document that offers a different and intimate perspective on the critical formative years of Pakistan, challenging popular historical narrative. This review delves deep into the central themes and revelations in Iskander Mirza’s memoirs, providing an extensive analysis of his role in shaping Pakistan’s early history, the factors that contributed to his political downfall, and the broader historical context in which these events unfolded.

• Front Matter
• Dialogue at IPS

  International Relations, Pakistan Affairs, Faith, Society & Law, Science & Technology, and Leadership & Governance are the core themes of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad, which remained the focus of deliberations held at IPS during the past few months. The following write-up summarizes these discussions under the aforementioned themes.

• Muhammad Ayub, ed., Economics and Economic Policy – Islamic Perspective (Islamabad: Riphah International Islamic University, 2022), 670.

  This book is jointly written by a group of eminent experts in Islamic economics and finance including Prof. Dr Muhammad Fahim Khan, Prof. Dr Muhammad Ayub, Prof. Dr Anas Zarqa, Prof. Dr Akram Laldin, Prof. Dr Muhammad Tahir Mansoori and Prof. Dr Ma’sum Billah, among others. The book is divided into six parts and 22 chapters. Part one builds the ground for a new approach in economics by highlighting the theoretical and socioeconomic challenges being faced under the mainstream paradigm of economics. It is argued that beyond market economics, ethical values and the role of the entrepreneur in the production process are undermined or ignored in mainstream economics.

• Pakistan’s External Debt Unsustainability and the Required Approach

  The paper traces financial and non-financial variables that prompt external debt distress in Pakistan. It explains that the economic vulnerability emanates from macroeconomic imbalances and structural problems. The macroeconomic imbalances deeply connect with global oil crisis, the Russia-Ukraine war and non-compliance with mutually agreed International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditionalities in the short run. However, the structural reasons are rising oil expenses, growing domestic political scandals, increasing terrorist attacks, and high spending on military imports. The paper recommends formulating a publicly available blueprint i.e. theory of change to resolve Pakistan’s increased reliance on transnational lenders, including the IMF. It should include innovative policies to initiate the green revolution that could replace intermittent nonrenewable resources to incrementally lower oil imports. Moreover, to increase growth in the non-military sector employing non-kinetic means and engaging transnational governance entities to resolve geopolitical conflicts would reduce reliance on military sector. The paper concludes that undergoing policy innovation for environmental and economic sustainability, is inevitable for gaining benefits from global renewable energy transition and avoiding debt distress.

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