Local Governments under Military Regimes in Pakistan: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Pakistan is a unique country which has experienced changing patterns of local governments in its political history. One significant change appeared as a common factor found in the three military regimes which were led by General Ayub Khan, General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervaiz Musharraf. All these three military leaders explored possibilities of enhancing their popularity from the grassroot level, making local governments as their base. This research paper analyzes the characteristics of local governments given by the above there military dictators for their vested goal-achievements. However, they failed in their endeavor as their own philosophical democratic political society, leading to political development in Pakistan making them popular democratic leaders, could not be established.