OPINION:
Pakistan, a nation of over 240 million people, stands at a critical crossroads. Under the Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim, the military has deepened its unconstitutional grip over civilian governance, culminating in widespread political repression, human rights abuses and economic collapse. The passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, following a rigged election in February 2024, further expands military control over civilian institutions and signals an alarming erosion of democracy.
For decades, U.S. policy toward Pakistan has prioritized short-term strategic interests, including counterterrorism, arms control and now mineral access, while overlooking the military’s systematic suppression of civilian rule. This approach has alienated Pakistan’s youthful population and entrenched instability, authoritarianism and economic decay.
Recent events, including the alleged false flag operation of May 9, 2023, the Islamabad Massacre of November 2024 and the weaponization of the judiciary, underscore the urgent need for a recalibrated U.S. policy.
The United States must instead back the democratic aspirations of the Pakistani people by conditioning military cooperation on verifiable democratic reforms, supporting the Pakistan Democracy Act and imposing sanctions on human rights violators. A democratic, stable Pakistan is essential to advancing U.S. interests in regional security, counterterrorism and economic development.
Continued complicity in authoritarianism will only fuel anti-American sentiment, empower extremist narratives and erode the long-term prospects for a reliable partnership. A durable U.S.-Pakistan relationship demands a commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law — not short-sighted alliances with the military junta.
ZOOBIA CHAUDHRY
Ellicott City, Maryland
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