In 1947 the reason why being a landlord was such a big deal was because there were not many ways to earn a large income back then. Now the economy has become diversified - new people have risen but most of the landlords have investments in property, business, industry - where they will earn money.
You may like to classify the people in boots as the establishment but you forget those gangsters in bangles who also ended up ruling Pakistan.
This post pretty much sums up Pakistan’s “Establishment.” It’s interesting that the wikipedia article mentions the Turkish “Deep State” which similar (Pro-Western) in orientation until the rise of the merchant-industrialist class from Anatolia. These newcomers (in terms of wealth, power) were explicitly excluded from Turkish society until they reached a critical mass and propelled the Justice Party to power. At this point, the old establishment seems to be receding (yet still influential) in Turkey.
I wonder if Pakistan has a possibility of such a turnaround where lower/middle class Pakistan born (not British India born or direct migrants) can reach a similar position? I think if folks end up bypassing the traditional zamindar/politician/army route and plug into the global economy (Offshore services, Media and Telecom) they would the strong potential to amass wealth which could be parlayed into political power.
Unfortunately I only see pockets of this occurring. I know a few instances of friends/colleagues moving back to Pakistan and doing extremely well. A friend of mine, Wharton grad, worked at Morgan Stanley for a few years and headed back to Pakistan and established an Investment House is doing well - he stays away from politics and focuses on building his enterprise but I could see many of his types moving forward in Pakistan.
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This is very close to the original setup with Military elites functional or retired are at the helms of this ‘Think-Tank’ vessel. (Services have been the most ‘Consistent’ & ‘Trustworthy’ source of education in Pakistan
where 'relations through marriages or ancestral means is quite common like anywhere else within Pakistan. So why question it Now ??? Who are we dancing to now???
The training manual agenda of this ‘Think-Tank’ in index is true as well.
All this have been known for quite a while in the appropriate circles, and have been talked about as well without maintaining any secrecy curtain to ‘Its’ function.
Now, the problem is here since wikileaks have endorsed it in the limelight only now we consider this as a grand issue ?? which IMO is laughable!
And the Second most laughable fact, I’m sure you all would agree, is that a country that seen ‘Military Rule Period’ larger than any Civilian Rule in its young age, can you expect ‘Zero Spin-off’ or any leftovers of Marshal-law at all ??
It would very easy to understand this if you consider ‘Services’ as a huge ‘Wadaira Family’ with some vital resources but has a common goal of PAKISTAN SECURITY. (With or without corruption element.
Peace…
According to this video, certain organizations including SC are more powerful than the government, they refuse to get audit their accounts because of fear of being caught stealing or wasting public money.
A plane sponsored by some Beharia society, sent 293 journalists on free Haj. The plane was not allowed to land. Later SA imposed heavy fines (Rs. 90 millions) on PIA. This news was not published in paper or electronic media, as “chor machaay shor were on the plane”.