I don't classify military rulers of Pakistan in the category of dictators. All military juntas that have taken place in Pakistan seem like bouts of opportunist generals who jump in to get political power when political conditions are suitable, but as soon as questions on their legitimacy take firm political momentum they back off without bringing any good firm change in the system. On the contrary Dictators are leaders who gain power through continuous and harsh political and military struggle, rule with iron hand and ultimately build up a powerful organization that effectively enforce laws on the society and runs better administration as the leader wants it too. Economy and society are also built in the process. Almost all the powerful states, for example Britain, France, Germany etc were built by autocratic individuals or oligarchies and gradually their governments evolved into democracies. People have faith in the state, not in politicians. In no developed country is any political party, whether in government or not, is powerful than the state; if it is than it becomes a phenomenon known as state within a state. Judiciary serves as a link between people and the state, not elected representatives. Elected representatives' job is to rule the state through their policies implemented by legislative and/or executive authority; they are highly influential and noble citizens but by no means they can be bigger than the law. States are headed by Head of State and head of state assures state is immune to political influence so that in case of political instability crossing the limits, it is checked. That is how functional democracies around the world work. In Pakistan there is no such mechanism in place. We assume that if it is democracy than someone who forms the governments can do anything he wants, but that is not how it is done. Pakistani society is still backwards, individuals still assume things like in old times, economy relies heavily upon the feudal lords and their norms which are only bound to their wishes and ambitions and nothing else, and traditions are still of old tribal age where sense of tribalism prevails not nationalism. When the lords get political power they mingle in everyday affairs as if the country is their fief or something. Variety of political movements take ground in such an environment and eventually we have a non functional state that cannot even assure basic safety of life to the people. Everyone just wants to become 'Almighty'
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So whether the government is a democracy or dictatorship, what is needed is a functioning state that can make things work
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