Syed Munir Khasru

Opinion | Bangladesh’s uprising offers lessons for Pakistan’s democracy

As Pakistan struggles to keep its military out of politics, the actions of Bangladesh’s army last month point to an alternative approach

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Holding photos of ousted prime minister Imran Khan, supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party gather to protest against alleged rigging in the general elections, in Karachi, Pakistan, on March 10. Photo: EPA-EFE

Syed Munir Khasru

Published: 5:30am, 14 Sep 2024Updated: 5:51am, 14 Sep 2024

Inspired by the success of the student-led popular movement in Bangladesh resulting in the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, some Pakistanis were seen carrying Bangladeshi flags in rallies in solidarity.

As Bangladesh’s South Asian neighbours gain inspiration, the role of the Bangladeshi army has unsurprisingly come under scrutiny. Their measured response and refusal to use force against civilians stands in stark contrast to the historical and contemporary actions of the Pakistan army.

Pakistan’s 77-year history has been marked by frequent military interventions in civilian affairs and democratic evolution has been rather paradoxical. While military interventions often facilitated transitions to civilian rule, they simultaneously constrained democratic governance.

This resulted in a political landscape where civilian governments operated under the shadow of military influence, unable to consolidate democratic norms and institutions. This pattern of military involvement has led to a revolving door of civilian leaders, unable to complete their terms amid behind-the-scenes machinations by the army. Notable examples include the 1993 ousting of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and, more recently, Imran Khan.

In contrast, Bangladesh has charted a different course since its return to parliamentary democracy in 1991. The country’s military has largely refrained from direct political involvement. A pivotal moment came in 2007 when the then ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party attempted to manipulate elections.

The military supported an interim caretaker government, ostensibly influenced in part by international pressure, particularly the UN reportedly threatening to exclude Bangladesh from peacekeeping missions if they engaged in election tampering.