Pakistan's Elite and the Art of Deception Pakistan’s governance challenges lies a political system characterized by patronage networks that prioritize personal gain, dynastic politics that perpetuate power within specific families, and weak institutional checks and balances that fail to uphold transparency and accountability.

1. Pakistan's Elite and the Art of Deception
Published: Business Recorder 02 May 2024
“The ends justify the means,” Machiavelli’s famous adage, permitting rulers
to forsake moral high grounds in favor of maintaining power and control, is
something that rings in my mind every time I look at our national discourse
on media.
How deceiving is the elite of all ilk and color who so loftily talk about
poverty eradication, social uplift, and governance, all in one breath and
later stick to their extractive ways without batting an eye.
Surely, we find many masters of the art of deception walking on the path
so famously paved by Machiavelli in his book, “The Prince” in our corridors of power.
To some, Machiavelli’s quote is a blueprint for tyranny, while for others it’s a realist’s guide to navigating
the treacherous waters of political leadership. This debate finds a contemporary echo in Pakistan, where
the concept of elite capture not only mirrors Machiavellian principles but also illustrates a stark reality.
In this context, elite capture is a phenomenon where a minority—the elite—exerts disproportionate
influence over the majority, manipulating political, economic, and social frameworks to their advantage.
In this piece, we will try to explore the parallels between Machiavellian political strategy and the
maneuvers of Pakistan’s elites, highlighting how practices such as misallocation of public funds, abuse of
authority, and disregard for the rule of law betray ethical governance and exacerbate socio-economic
divides.
The capture of resources and power by a select few has consistently harmed the nation’s institutional and
governance frameworks. Powerful political dynasties, feudal lords, and influential business tycoons have
historically monopolized resources, severely hampering democratic processes and fostering a breeding
ground for corruption, nepotism, and societal inequality.

2. Much like Machiavelli’s ideal ruler, who manipulates and deceives to consolidate their reign, Pakistan’s
elites have been accused of prioritizing personal gains over the welfare of the populace. This elite capture
has contributed to the proliferation of poverty, unemployment, and disenfranchisement among the
masses.
At the heart of Pakistan’s governance challenges lies a political system characterized by patronage
networks that prioritize personal gain, dynastic politics that perpetuate power within specific families, and
weak institutional checks and balances that fail to uphold transparency and accountability.
Political parties often function as vehicles for personal gain rather than vehicles for public service, with
powerful elites using their positions to enrich themselves and their allies. This has led to a lack of
accountability, transparency, and effective governance, eroding public trust in institutions and
exacerbating social tensions.
Corruption permeates all levels of society in Pakistan, ranging from petty bribery that affects daily
interactions to grand corruption involving high-ranking officials and influential businessmen, leading to a
breakdown of trust in institutions and hindering socio-economic progress.
The culture of impunity surrounding corruption has undermined the rule of law and discouraged
investment, hindering economic growth and development. Moreover, corruption in essential services such
as healthcare and education has disproportionately affected the poor, further aggravated socio-economic
inequality and perpetuating a cycle of poverty.
Pakistan’s economy faces numerous structural challenges, including a reliance on agriculture, a large
informal sector, and a mismanaged energy sector that generates more without the capability to transmit
and distribute properly. Limited access to credit, inadequate infrastructure, and bureaucratic red tape
further hinders entrepreneurship and investment, stifling economic growth and job creation.
Moreover, Pakistan’s tax base is narrow, with the burden falling disproportionately on salaried individuals
and formalbusinesses,while the wealthy elite oftenevade taxesthroughloopholes and offshore accounts.
The nexus between politics and business deepens these economic challenges, as powerful elite use their
political influence to secure lucrative contracts, monopolize key industries, and evade regulatory scrutiny.
This has created a skewed economic landscape characterized by oligopolies, rent-seeking behavior, and a
lack of competition, hindering innovation, productivity, and economic diversification.

3. Despite significant investments in social welfare programmes, all with myriads of names including the
Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and the Ehsaas programme, poverty remains widespread,
particularly in rural areas and among marginalized communities.
Political instability and security concerns further compound Pakistan’s economic and governance
challenges, deterring foreign investment, undermining investor confidence, and disrupting economic
activity.
Persistent conflicts that border on the edge of insurgency, coupled with periodic outbreaks of violence and
terrorism, have exacted a heavy toll on the economy, diverting resources away from development and
relegating social uplift as the last priority.
In recent years, Pakistan has faced mounting external debt and balance of payments pressures, leading to
repeated cycles of IMF bailouts and austerity measures. While these interventions have provided short-
term relief, they have imposed significant social costs, including cuts to public spending, job losses, and
rising inflation.
Moreover, the conditions attached to IMF loans, such as fiscal consolidation and structural reforms, have
often done more harm than good to the common man.
The socio-political landscape of Pakistan serves as evidence of the profoundly negative effects of using
Machiavellian tactics in governance. The prioritization of personal or group interests above those of the
general public has led to an erosion of trust in public institutions, stunted economic development, and the
prevalence of social unrest.
Pakistan’s example serves well as evidence that our elite while following Machiavelli’s philosophy have led
the nation into tyranny and moral bankruptcy. This unchecked authority, grounded in moral relativism, has
not only perpetuated a cycle of inequality but also rendered the state vulnerable to internal and external
threats, including extremism, militancy, and separatist movements.
Despite the grim realities presented by the prevailing elite capture, which has drawn its inspiration from
Machiavelli’s playbook, there is a flicker of hope for Pakistan’s future governance.
Civil society organizations, grassroots movements, and a vibrant independent media landscape have
begun challenging the entrenched power structures. Additionally, the rise of an informed and engaged
younger generation poses a significant challenge to the status quo, providing a potential catalyst for wide-
ranging social and political reforms.

4. To break free from the clutches of elite capture and transition towards a more equitable and just society,
Pakistanis (please note it’s the people) must actively promote ethical leadership, enforce accountability
mechanisms, and empower civil society to hold the elite class to task. Following a governance model that
places the public good and democratic principles at its core is imperative for Pakistan’s progress.
The entrenchment of elite power at the expense of public welfare underscores the urgent need for a
paradigm shift towards ethical, inclusive governance.
The path forward must be paved with accountability, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to
the collective good. If Pakistanis aspire to break free from the cyclic oppression of elitism and realize a
promise of prosperity and social justice for everyone, then the only way forward is through focussed and
consistent reforms. While this path is not paved with roses, rather currently it may look like hell, but as
Churchill Said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024 (Writer is a Harvard Alumni and tweets as @kashifmateenpk)