ABSTRACT
Some scholars believe the military intrusion into national politics, its forcible seizure of governmental authority, is a predictable phase in the nation-building process of third world countries. A smaller number see the frequency of military coups in third world countries as evidence of the absence of political development and confirmation that political progress is essentially myth. Nation-building in Pakistan remained an uncertain and very painful process. Political organizations are constantly being spawned but these bear little resemblance to the Muslim League which breathed life into the nation. The Pakistan military establishment, for all its strength vis-a-vis the politicians, often seems embarrassed by its power and influence. Seldom has it appeared comfortable in a political role. Pakistan’s future rests on the capacity of the three groups to effectively integrate their responsibilities, and no one of them can adequately perform the tasks of the other two. But it has yet to be shown that they are capable of genuine cooperation.
