Abstract
For the most part, Pakistan’s history is fraught with internal and external
turbulence, which has obstructed the country’s way to politico-economic stability.
Notwithstanding its external challenges, Pakistan’s polity as well as society has
witnessed various predicaments: political instability, disruption of democratic
process, provincial disharmony, disintegration, lack of the rule of law,
suppression of civil liberties and poor economic performance. In post-9/11 era,
the country has seen more instability, resulting mainly from the spill-over effects
of the war in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, a deeper appraisal shows that the 21st
century Pakistan is demonstrating changes in positive direction at state as well as
society level. This paper focuses on seven variables—democracy, judiciary,
society, media, governance, internal security and economic performance—to
assess whether Pakistan is showing change or continuity in these areas. The study
shows that Pakistani democracy, judiciary, society and media tend to experience
progressive changes while governance, internal security and economic
performance are largely characterized by continuity, although showing signs of
improvement. In this context, Pakistan is undergoing a transition where the old
order defined by stagnation and “muddling through” is under pressure and giving
way to a new order characterized by modernization and progress.
Muhammad Riaz Shad. (2018) Pakistan İn The Twenty-First Century: Change And Continuity, Journal of the Punjab University Historical Society, Volume 31, issue 1.
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