Pakistan's Domestic Political Developments (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Sept. 19, 2005 |
| Report Number |
RL32615 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
K. Alan Kronstadt, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
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Summary:
Pakistan is a strategically important country and home to one of the world's largest Muslim
populations. In October 1999, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Gen. Pervez Musharraf replaced Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup. Following the military overthrow of an elected
government, Islamabad faced considerable international opprobrium and was subjected to automatic
coup-related U.S. sanctions. The September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and
Musharraf's ensuing withdrawal of support for the Afghan Taliban regime, however, had the effect
of greatly reducing Pakistan's international isolation. Congress temporarily removed restrictions,
and large-scale U.S. aid to the country resumed, in late 2001. The United States views Pakistan as
a vital ally in the international anti-terrorism coalition. The Bush Administration refrains from
expressing any significant public criticisms of Pakistan's internal political practices, while still
asserting that the strengthening of civilian political institutions in Islamabad is "a requirement for
the development of a stable, moderate Islamic state."
While top-tier U.S. emphases in the region after September 2001 remain combating religious
extremism and ending illicit weapons proliferation, the United States expresses a strong interest in
the improvement of Pakistan's human rights situation, especially as regards the restoration and
strengthening of democratic institutions. There is a debate among analysts over the exigency of this
issue. Some observers urge patience, contending that a "true" democratic system will require time
and that "military-guided" governance is required in an unstable setting and to deter extremist
political influences. Others argue that Pakistan's underdeveloped democracy and rule of law are
themselves a central cause of the country's instability.
October 2002 general elections nominally fulfilled President Musharraf's promise to restore the
National Assembly that was dissolved after his extra-constitutional seizure of power. A pro-military
alliance won a plurality of seats while a coalition of Islamist parties made a surprisingly strong
showing. Yet subsequent developments -- including an agreement between Musharraf and the
Islamist opposition to bring controversial constitutional changes before Parliament, a broken promise
from Musharraf to resign his military commission before 2005, and widespread accusations of
rigging in August 2005 municipal elections -- have fueled concerns that Pakistan's civilian
democratic institutions are being weakened. National and provincial level elections are to take place
in 2007.
The 9/11 Commission Report called Musharraf's government the "best hope" for
stability in
Pakistan and Afghanistan, and recommended the provision of long-term and comprehensive support
to Pakistan so long as its government remains committed to combating extremism and to a policy
of "enlightened moderation." In passing the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of
2004 ( P.L. 108-458 ), Congress broadly endorsed this recommendation and sought to encourage
Pakistan's transition to full democracy. The act also extended the President's authority to waive
coup-related sanctions on Pakistan through FY2006. See also CRS Issue Brief IB94041,
Pakistan-U.S. Relations and CRS Report RL32259 , Terrorism in South
Asia . This report will be
updated periodically.
