General Pervez Musharraf: The Political Strategies to Consolidate Power (1999-2008)

This article examines the patterns of civil-military relations in Pakistan, with a particular focus on General Musharraf's military dictatorship from 1999 to 2008. It explores that General Pervez Musharraf implemented a series of maneuvers that involved political engineering, judicial manipulation, and military control. All of these political strategies helped him to grab and strengthen his authority under the guise of democratic evolution. Among the most prominent of his political strategies was his devolution plan, which reduced the influence of political institutions and directly empowered district administrations. Despite these, the general elections in 2002 were held under a controlled environment marred by allegations of rigging. Under Musharraf's leadership, Political Parties Order 2002 was passed, which imposed strict limitations on political parties—the judicial manipulation and control over the media-fueled mass protests and calls for judicial independence. Despite the crackdown, civil society and opposition groups persisted in their protests. They launched lawyers’ movements and called for the restoration of civilian governance. Through these actions, Musharraf was able to prolong his undemocratic governance.