The recent political protests in Pakistan, particularly in the federal capital Islamabad, turned violent and left a lasting impact on the country’s political landscape. More importantly, these protests are symptomatic of the extensive social malaise in the country. Therefore, these protests and their violent transformation must be analyzed within the context of broader social currents and changes in Pakistan.

Pakistan in the contemporary era is experiencing a variety of social trends that are profoundly impacting its political culture. Among these, radicalism and extremism are the most significant and noticeable social currents. There is widespread intolerance at every level of social interaction, whether within families, markets, educational institutions, or, most critically, religious institutions. Over decades, extremism and radicalism have pervaded society, primarily as a consequence of poor governance at all levels of state action and intervention. This extremism has fostered radical social attitudes within the population, some of which have translated into terrorism, particularly along lines of religion, sect, and ethnicity.

Since 2005, Pakistan has experienced one of the worst waves of terrorist violence in its history. Terrorism has posed an existential threat to the state’s sovereignty, marking it as one of the most significant political consequences of these social trends. For example, the recent sectarian violence in the Kurram tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which began on November 21 and has claimed 130 lives so far, underscores this grim reality. The state’s response to terrorism has inflicted massive damage on society, displacing millions and leaving them to face physical dislocation and privation.

Extremism and terrorism continue to affect every aspect of society, including political institutions and culture. This is evident in the pervasive intolerance among key political parties, which has stunted the development of a democratic culture. The political actors and the populace are both deeply affected by this intolerance and extremism, making the situation increasingly uncontrollable.

Prevalent extremist social attitudes have also engendered widespread feelings of insecurity among the population. As a result, an increasing number of people are hesitant to express their aspirations or utilize their natural talents and resources. This has allowed a “Loud Minority” to dominate public discourse and social dynamics. Consequently, Pakistan’s economy and society have suffered significantly, failing to achieve desired levels of economic growth and social stability.

Another prominent social trend in contemporary Pakistan is the rise of postmodernist culture, characterized by hedonism and driven by media—both traditional and new. This culture has flourished dramatically, with consumerism as its most visible manifestation. Consumerism has driven extreme social trends, as an increasing number of people pursue goods and services, even as poverty remains widespread and deeply rooted. This widening gap between the “haves” and “have-nots” has negatively impacted social relationships, with empathy and mutual consideration reaching alarmingly low levels.

In conclusion, the social currents of radicalism, extremism, and postmodernist consumerism are deeply intertwined with the political culture of contemporary Pakistan. These trends not only influence the political landscape but also contribute to broader societal challenges, including intolerance, insecurity, and economic disparity. Addressing these issues requires a holistic understanding and targeted interventions aimed at fostering social cohesion and promoting inclusive governance.

This rapid population growth places an unbearable burden on the state and its governance structures. The growth rate is both a cause and a consequence of bad governance. When a state and its successive governments fail to provide purpose, direction, and sustainable development policies to its citizens, unchecked population growth becomes inevitable. Bad governance and rapid population growth have a symbiotic relationship. Factors contributing to population growth include low literacy rates, substandard education quality, poverty, conservatism, and widespread purposelessness within society, a condition described as “anomie” by French sociologist Émile Durkheim. These factors stem from systemic governance failures, which, in turn, have significant political and policy consequences. Public representatives at all levels of governance—local, provincial, and federal—find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer number of people they must serve. With state resources insufficient to address the problems and demands of even a fraction of their electorates, these representatives often become disillusioned and develop a sense of powerlessness.

This disillusionment creates a vicious cycle: citizens’ demands persist unmet, leading to a loss of faith in the state, its institutions, and the democratic process. Simultaneously, public representatives, unable to deliver the needed goods and services, resort to financial dishonesty to remain relevant in politics, further eroding public trust. The unprecedented number of people each representative must serve has made good governance an elusive goal. Monetary corruption among public representatives and officials has compounded this issue, producing numerous negative trends in society. For the last 40 years, Pakistan has suffered the detrimental effects of financial corruption within its political and bureaucratic circles. This corruption has undermined the viability and vitality of state institutions, rendering them incapable of providing basic services or meeting the population’s expectations.

One critical systemic quality—predictability—has been lost in nearly all political and governmental institutions in Pakistan. This unpredictability has deepened the disconnect between the state and society, creating profound mistrust between the people and their government. Such distrust has severe societal consequences, particularly regarding respect for laws and institutions, which has made the society increasingly ungovernable. This breakdown of governance and trust is starkly evident in today’s Pakistan.