THE PARLIAMENTARY DECADE OF TURMOIL: INSTITUTIONAL INTERFERENCE AND POLITICAL SELF-SABOTAGE IN PAKISTAN (1988–1999)

Abstract

The parliamentary decade of 1988–1999 marked a critical period in Pakistan’s democratic evolution, characterized by political instability, fragile governance, and repeated interruptions to democratic continuity. While the military and undemocratic forces are often highlighted as primary destabilizing agents, this paper critically examines the role of democratic political actors, particularly Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, in undermining the democratic process. Drawing on historical and political analyses, the study explores how personal rivalries, patronage politics, and institutional neglect contributed to weakening democratic institutions. The research highlights the cyclical nature of political instability during this period, wherein democratic leaders, instead of consolidating democratic norms, pursued short-term power struggles, often at the expense of parliamentary sovereignty and political stability. By scrutinizing these dynamics, the paper offers a nuanced understanding of how internal democratic failures, combined with external pressures, led to the fragility of democracy in Pakistan. The findings underscore the necessity for introspection within democratic frameworks to ensure sustainable political development and institutional resilience.