Actually, in the life of nations, 61 years is not really that long. Right now we think of US as a good example of democracy where they have good and solid leaders come up through the process (ignoring George W Bush for a monent 
), fact is right around the time they were 50-70 years old as a nation, Armericans had some really lousy Presidents. Check out Warren G. Harding, Franklin Pierce, and James Buchanan. Andrew Johnson, Vice President-elect of George Washington was so drunk, that he couldn’t even complete his speech during the inauguration and was led out of the ceremony.
Point being, even with some really outstanding schmucks occupying the Oval Office, Americans never lost faith in the system and continued on a path of democracy. This included some really low points (Civil War, Great Depression etc).
Coming back to Pakistan, I doubt anyone honestly feels that our military intervening every 8-10 years, throwing out the entire democratic system and taking over for 10 years is really a long term solution to Pakistan’s problems. Its not. This constant interference is making us take 1 step forward and 2 steps back. Of course, we can’t make progress like that. In fact, due to lack of sustained democracy, in all seriousness, Pakistan is rapidly on its way to become a failed state. Same old crook politicians who in all liklihood would be swept in 2-3 elections after continued corruption allegations are able to come back after a military rule, portray themselves as innocents and saviors and gain additional 5-10 years of political power in the country.
There is a reason why after every Ayub/Yahya Khan, after every Zia and after every Musharaf, we go back to democracy. Even the military knows that they and the Martial Law is not a solution, and the right direction for the country is in fact the path of democracy.
We need to start moving very quickly in the right direction and stay on it for a sustained period of time. Dire warnings and predictions are already out about the future of our motherland. With 61st Independence day tomorrow, this is a good opportunity for us to reflect where we are and where we are going, and what is our long-term plan for success.