1.
Allowing Military Intervention in Politics (1958 onward)
Decision: Suspension of the constitution and legitimization of coups.
Damage caused:
- Weak democratic institutions
- Civilian incompetence by design
- No accountability culture
Long-term impact: Democracy never matured.
2.
Failure to Honor the 1970 Election Results
Decision: Refusal to transfer power to the elected majority.
Damage caused:
- Civil war in East Pakistan
- Foreign intervention
- National disintegration
Long-term impact: Creation of Bangladesh and permanent strategic loss.
3.
Over-Centralization of Power
Decision: Concentrating authority in the center instead of empowering
provinces.
Damage caused:
- Provincial alienation (Balochistan, Sindh, KP)
- Ethnic conflicts
- Weak federation
Long-term impact: Repeated internal instability.
4.
Politicization of Religion
Decision: Using religion as a tool of state policy.
Damage caused:
- Sectarian violence
- Extremism
- International isolation
Long-term impact: Radicalization of society.
5.
Jihad Policy in Afghanistan (1980s)
Decision: Supporting militant groups as foreign policy instruments.
Damage caused:
- Weaponization of society
- Drug and arms culture
- Terrorism blowback
Long-term impact: Decades of insecurity.
6.
Joining the War on Terror Without National Consensus
Decision: Strategic alignment without public or parliamentary
agreement.
Damage caused:
- Suicide bombings
- Internal displacement
- Economic losses exceeding aid received
Long-term impact: Trust deficit between state and citizens.
7.
Nationalization Without Capacity (1970s)
Decision: Taking over industries without management capability.
Damage caused:
- Capital flight
- Productivity collapse
- Rise of state inefficiency
Long-term impact: Weak industrial base.
8.
Failure to Implement Land Reforms
Decision: Protecting feudal interests.
Damage caused:
- Rural poverty
- Political elite capture
- Poor agricultural productivity
Long-term impact: Social inequality and weak democracy.
9.
Neglect of Education and Human Development
Decision: Low investment in education, health, and research.
Damage caused:
- Low literacy
- Brain drain
- Unskilled workforce
Long-term impact: Economic stagnation.
10.
Chronic Dependence on Foreign Loan
Decision: Consumption-based borrowing instead of export growth.
Damage caused:
- Debt traps
- IMF cycles
- Policy sovereignty loss
Long-term impact: Permanent economic vulnerability.
Key
Conclusion
Pakistan’s decline is not the
result of one ruler or party, but of repeated bad decisions that:
- Undermined institutions
- Ignored human development
- Prioritized short-term power over long-term stability