Introduction
On 21 May 2026, Lt. Gen. Devendra Pratap Pandey (Retd.), a distinguished military officer and strategic analyst, delivered a guest lecture on the topic “Pakistan’s Hybrid Model of Governance: From Being a Failed State to Becoming Relevant.” The lecture offered a detailed and structured examination of how Pakistan has sustained itself as a functioning though deeply fragile state, despite facing persistent economic, political, and social challenges.
The speaker challenged the commonly held view that Pakistan is a “failed state” and instead argued that it should be understood as a “fragile state”, one that is held together by a complex web of military authority, civilian politics, religious networks, and external patronage. The lecture was wide-ranging, covering Pakistan’s internal governance structure, its economic vulnerabilities, its role in regional conflicts, and its prospects for long-term stability.
