| This study examines Pakistan's modern history, focusing on the role the military has played in the country's politics and its impact on the prospects for democracy. It attempts to understand the motives behind the military's frequent coup d'etats and its rationale for keeping and yielding power. More specifically, this study investigates President Pervez Musharraf's policies and initiatives, including electoral and constitutional changes, with the objective of identifying obstacles to a peaceful transition to democracy. In this respect, it probes and assesses the role played by the United States in Pakistan's domestic and foreign policies in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Finally, this study seeks to investigate the interplay of roles played by Islamic extremists, secular groups and the military in hopes of assessing the prospects of a sustainable democracy in Pakistan. |
