Islamabad, Jan 28 (NationPress) The fragile facade of internal stability in Pakistan is maintained through the suppression of dissent and temporary support from major powers, yet the hybrid regime continues to struggle in securing public trust. A report released on Wednesday suggests that this illusion of order harbors the potential for its own undoing.

In an analysis for ‘East Asia Forum’, Imtiaz Gul, Executive Director of the Islamabad-based Centre for Research and Security Studies, pointed out that by 2025, Pakistan had firmly entrenched military dominance within the hybrid system, where civilian politicians once held the limelight while the army wielded true power.

“For a significant number of Pakistanis, 2025 symbolized a profound decline in democratic values. The judiciary was further undermined, parliamentary authority waned, and elected officials were relegated to largely subservient positions. Most members of the National Assembly, elected after the contentious February 2024 elections, closely aligned with the military establishment. Through various legislative actions, they cemented a transfer of power from civilian entities to the military, emphasizing stability over democratic engagement,” he remarked.

The report also noted that these developments intensified the marginalization of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been in detention since August 2023 on charges perceived to be politically motivated, escalating domestic turmoil.

“In the months leading up to Donald Trump’s anticipated return to the White House, Khan’s supporters sought the assistance of Republican congressmen such as August Pfluger, Joe Wilson, and Jack Bergman, along with a close aide to Trump, Richard Grenell, advocating for his release. However, subsequent international events thwarted those efforts. Khan’s ongoing detention has been met with global concern. In December 2025, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Alice Jill Edwards called for immediate action regarding reports of inhumane conditions at Adiala Jail, including extended periods of solitary confinement,” the report elaborated.

Pakistan's civil-military leadership garnered international attention when Trump referred to Army Chief Munir as his ‘favorite Field Marshal’.

“This camaraderie effectively extinguished hopes among Khan’s supporters that external pressure could secure his release from the more than 180 cases filed against him since his ousting in a no-confidence vote in April 2022,” the report indicated.

The events of 2025 in Pakistan demonstrate how easily democratic principles can be compromised for strategic advantages. In light of the U.S.'s intensifying rivalry with China and Russia, a military-led Pakistan has aligned itself with Washington's interests.

Moreover, global scrutiny of Pakistan's democratic principles and human rights record has diminished, primarily due to geopolitical considerations.

“In Pakistan, where frustrations frequently escalate, temporary stability may serve as a precursor to more profound and perilous disorder,” the report concluded.