PUNJAB AND PAKISTAN’S JOURNEY TOWARD HARMONY IN TIMES OF MISRULE

Abstract

This article critically examines Punjab’s disproportionate influence in Pakistan’s political, military, and bureaucratic structures, and how this dominance contributes to governance crises and the destabilization of national unity. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources, the study explores the roots of Punjabi hegemony, elite capture, institutional inefficiency, and regional alienation. It also evaluates the failure of federal reforms to meaningfully decentralize power and restore inter-provincial trust. The paper concludes by proposing a comprehensive framework for restructuring federalism, enhancing administrative accountability, and promoting inclusive governance to foster long-term national cohesion.