Post Transition Challenges to Emergent Democracy: A Study of 2008 Transition in Pakistan

Pakistan's history is witness to the fact that in all cases of the military takeover, though Military Regimes initially were able to consolidate, yet with the passage of time, growing discontent, desire for change, and the gradual erosion of legitimacy pose a serious threat to not only the regime but also the institutional interests of the military. International allies of the regime also feel it difficult to support an unpopular regime at home. Thus the combination of internal and external pressures compels the regime to transfer power to civilian leadership. Emerging democracy, in the post-transition period, faces a multitude of challenges. This paper investigates various challenges posed to the newly installed government of the PPPP led alliance after the transition of 2008. The paper is based upon the juxtaposition of primary and secondary sources to enrich and substantiate the arguments.