Notes Beyond Salariat: The Intra-establishment Tussle for Power in Pakistan*

Abstract

Professor Hamza Alavi’s seminal study on the role of the salariat in the movement for the certain of Pakistan and its success in capturing the state machinery after Pakistan had come into being won intelligentsia’s acceptance at the time of its presentation forty years ago by the logic of his argument. It has been vindicated since by history and the people’s experience. In my presentation today I will try to focus on the salariat’s efforts and designs to retain its stranglehold on the state machinery, particularly its plans to limit the politicians’ share of power, and the beginning of its retreat.