CSS 2026 Solved Pakistan Affairs Past Papers | Influence on Youth , Digital Activism, and Civil Society on Civil-Military Relations.
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Question Breakdown
In this question, the examiner has asked you to analyze how the emerging youth perspectives, digital activism, and civil society movements are influencing civil-military relations in Pakistan. To solve this, first give a historical overview of civil military relations, then split the influence into positive and negative further splitting all three dimensions.
Outline
1- Introduction
2- Historical Overview of the Civil Society and Youth Influence Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan
- The 2007–2009 Lawyers’ Movement and the then-President Pervez Musharraf’s regime
3- The Increasing Influence of the Youth Perspectives, Digital Activism, and Civil Society Movements on Civil-Military Relations
3.1- Positive Influence on Civil- Military Relations
3.1.1. Youth Perspectives
- In 2018 general elections, 55% voters turned out, demonstrating youth impact on civilian authority over military influence
3.1.2. Digital Activism
- In 2022-2024 political crisis, digital campaigns compelling the military’s media wing (ISPR) to hold frequent press conferences to address criticism
3.1.3. Civil Society Movements
- The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) protests and the Human Rights Commission report prompting parliamentary debates on enforced disappearances
3.2- Negative Influence on Civil- Military Relations
3.2.1. Youth Perspectives
- The Events of May 9, 2023 representing a historic breakdown in the traditional “state-society” bond and led to a massive crackdown.
3.2.2. Digital Activism
- The military’s formal classification of online dissent as Digital Terrorism led to the installation of internet firewalls
3.2.3. Civil Society Movements
- The suppressed Baloch Yakjehti Movement and Pashtoon Tahaffuz Movement led to a complete loss of trust in the military among certain segments of the population
4- Suggestions for Sound Civil Military Relations in Pakistan
- Integrate youth perspectives through policy inclusion rather than confrontation.
- Encourage responsible digital activism with media literacy campaigns to prevent misinformation.
- Strengthen civil society engagement via consultative mechanisms, not just street protests.
- Apply Rebecca Scheff and Janowitz’s convergence model: institutional cooperation is maximized when both civilian and military actors converge on shared objectives through professional norms, education, and mediated dialogue.
5- Conclusion
Introduction
The traditional architecture of power in Pakistan is currently weathering a seismic transition as the historical dominance of the security apparatus encounters the disruptive energy of a digitally native and socially conscious generation. For decades, the civil-military landscape was defined by a rigid hierarchy and the “doctrine of necessity,” but the modern era has introduced a decentralized “Fifth Estate” that refuses to be silenced by traditional methods of control. The emergence of the youth as a coherent political demographic, the democratization of information through digital activism, and the resilient agitation of civil society movements have collectively challenged the state’s monopoly on the national narrative. While these forces offer a transformative potential to strengthen constitutionalism and demand institutional transparency, they have also triggered a defensive and often coercive response from the establishment, exemplified by the restrictive nature of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. This friction underscores a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s democratic odyssey, where the struggle for a “new social contract” is no longer confined to the halls of Parliament but is being fought in the digital trenches and on the streets of the periphery.
Historical Overview of the Civil Society and Youth Influence on Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan
To appreciate the gravity of these contemporary shifts, one must first revisit the historical role of civil society in contesting military dominance. The most seminal modern precedent remains the 2007–2009 Lawyers’ Movement, a watershed moment that fundamentally altered the power trajectory of the country. This professional and civil mobilization successfully pressured General Pervez Musharraf’s regime to reinstate Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, signaling for the first time that a non-partisan, middle-class coalition could successfully dismantle an entrenched military-led administration. This movement proved that the “street” could indeed dictate terms to the “barracks,” setting a historical template for how professional bodies and civil actors could influence the civil-military power balance. It was this victory that paved the way for the 18th Constitutional Amendment and the subsequent era of continuous democratic transitions, even if those transitions remained under the pervasive shadow of the establishment..
The Increasing Influence of the Youth Perspectives, Digital Activism, and Civil Society Movements on Civil-Military Relations
A- Positive Influence on Civil- Military Relations
- Youth Perspectives
The positive influence of youth perspectives on civil-military relations has manifested most clearly in the realm of electoral politics and the assertion of civilian authority. In a country where a “youth bulge” defines the demographic reality, the political consciousness of the younger generation has become an inescapable force. This was strikingly evident during the 2018 General Elections, where approximately 55% of registered youth voters turned out to cast their ballots. This massive influx of young, first-time voters fundamentally influenced electoral outcomes, signaling to the military establishment that the next generation was no longer content with passive political spectatorship. This demographic shift has forced the state to acknowledge that civilian authority must be derived from a popular mandate that resonates with the aspirations of the youth—aspirations that frequently prioritize economic opportunity and constitutional rights over traditional geopolitical narratives.
- Digital Activism
Parallel to this demographic shift, digital activism has emerged as a revolutionary tool for transparency and institutional accountability. The democratization of information through social media has effectively dismantled the state’s traditional monopoly over the national narrative. A compelling case in point occurred during the 2022–2024 political crisis, where viral digital campaigns and real-time reporting forced the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), to deviate from its historical institutional silence. For the first time, the military was compelled to hold unprecedented and frequent press conferences to directly address public criticism and digital discourse. This marked a profound shift from a “gatekeeping” model of communication to one of active engagement with the digital public, proving that the digital sphere could act as a potent check on institutional power by demanding clarity on previously opaque political involvements.
- Civil Society Movements
Furthermore, civil society movements have played a pivotal role in mainstreaming grievances that were once confined to the geographic and political periphery. Movements like the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) have utilized peaceful protest and meticulous documentation to challenge the security-centric governance of Balochistan. Their protests in 2024–2025, alongside the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s rigorous reports on enforced disappearances, triggered rare parliamentary debates and forced a temporary, albeit reluctant, institutional review of security practices. This demonstrates that organized civil society can bridge the gap between the suffering of the citizenry and the halls of power, ensuring that military accountability is not just a theoretical concept but a persistent demand within the legislative and judicial processes.
B- Negative Influence on Civil- Military Relations
- Youth Perspectives
However, this same influence has often manifested in negative or disruptive ways, leading to a historic breakdown in the state-society bond. The most jarring evidence of this fracture occurred during the Events of May 9, 2023, when thousands of young protesters, fueled by political polarization and perceived judicial and executive collusion, targeted military installations across the country. The attack on the Corps Commander’s House in Lahore represented an unprecedented breach of the military’s symbolic sanctity. This event was not merely a riot; it was a physical manifestation of the disillusionment felt by a segment of the youth who viewed the military as an obstacle to their political will. The subsequent massive state crackdown and the trial of civilians in military courts highlighted the dangerous volatility inherent in youth-led dissent when it lacks a constructive channel for expression.
- Digital Activism
The establishment’s reaction to this dissent has further strained the rule of law, particularly through the weaponization of digital surveillance and legislative control. The military’s formal classification of online dissent as “Digital Terrorism” in 2024 and 2025 signaled a new era of state-led digital repression. This narrative was used to justify the installation of national-level internet firewalls and the rapid, controversial passage of the 27th Amendment. This amendment was widely criticized as a “rushed” legislative effort to “shield the existing set-up” from both digital accountability and judicial scrutiny by centralizing power and creating a more compliant judicial hierarchy. By framing digital activism as a national security threat rather than a form of speech, the state has deepened the trust deficit, pushing the digital public further into a confrontational stance.
- Civil Society Movements
The suppression of civil society movements has also invited significant international censure, damaging Pakistan’s global standing and internal cohesion. The systematic repression of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) and the Baloch Yakjehti Movement led the CIVICUS Monitor to add Pakistan to its watchlist in March 2024, citing the blunt repression of ethnic minorities and human rights activists. This international spotlight confirms that the state’s current CMR strategy is increasingly viewed as an outlier to democratic norms. Domestically, the impact is even more severe; leaders like Dr. Mahrang Baloch have openly stated that the people of Balochistan have suffered a “complete loss of faith” in the military due to persistent enforced disappearances and state negligence. This sentiment indicates that when civil society movements are suppressed rather than heard, the result is not stability, but the radicalization of grievances.
Suggestions for Sound Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan
To rectify these fractures and foster a sound model of civil-military relations, the state must transition from a reactive, coercive posture to a proactive, inclusive one. This requires the integration of youth perspectives through policy inclusion rather than confrontation; young people must feel they have a stake in the system if they are to be expected to uphold its institutions.
Simultaneously, the state should encourage responsible digital activism through media literacy campaigns that combat misinformation without stifling dissent. Strengthening civil society engagement via formal consultative mechanisms, such as standing committees that include human rights observers, would ensure that grievances are addressed through institutional dialogue rather than disruptive street protests.
Ultimately, the most viable path forward lies in the application of the convergence model advocated by sociologists like Morris Janowitz and the concordance theory of Rebecca Schiff. These models posit that institutional cooperation is maximized when civilian and military actors converge on shared objectives through professional norms, education, and mediated dialogue. In the Pakistani context, this means the military must commit to a professional role that is strictly subordinate to a sovereign Parliament, while the civilian leadership must develop the competency to manage security affairs effectively. Convergence occurs when the military, the political elite, and the citizenry (youth and civil society) reach a consensus on the boundaries of state power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the evolving influence of youth perspectives, digital activism, and civil society movements reflects a paradigm shift in Pakistan’s civil-military landscape. These forces are neither inherently stabilizing nor destabilizing but acquire their impact through the manner in which they are engaged, moderated, and institutionalized. Constructive integration of these actors, combined with adherence to professional norms and structured inter-institutional dialogue, holds the potential to transform civil-military relations from a historically contentious arena into a balanced, accountable, and participatory framework. Ensuring that the energy, insights, and demands of citizens, particularly youth and organized civil society, are harnessed within constitutional boundaries can reinforce civilian supremacy, promote institutional accountability, and enhance public trust, ultimately strengthening the democratic fabric of Pakistan while maintaining operational coherence and legitimacy within the military.
CSS 2026 Solved Pakistan Affairs
| 2- | Conduct a Comprehensive Appraisal of the Similarities and Differences Between Iqbal’s Philosophical Ideas and Jinnah’s Political Interpretation of the Pakistan Ideology. |
| 3- | “The Instability in Afghanistan Continues to Influence Pakistan’s Internal Security, Regional Diplomacy, and Counter Terrorism Strategy”. Critically Examine the Above Statement and Suggest Policy Measures to Address the Issue/Challenge. |
| 4- | To What Extent Does the 27th Constitutional Amendment Strengthen or Weaken Constitutionalism and Rule of Law in Pakistan? Justify Your Stance with Valid Arguments. |
| 5- | Critically Assess How Youth Perspectives, Digital Activism, and Civil Society Movements are Influencing Civil-Military Relations. |
| 6- | Undertake a Concise Assessment of the Key Economic Challenges Currently Confronting Pakistan. Illustrate How the IMF’s Conditions Can Shape the Country’s Path Towards Economic Stabilization and Long-Term Financial Sustainability? |
| 7- | “The Unresolved Kashmir Issue Exposes the Inherent Weakness in the United Nations Security Council’s Architecture.” Critically Examine the Role of the UNSC in Resolving the Kashmir Issue |
| 8- | Critically Assess the Performance of the Health and Education Sectors after Being Handed Over to the Provinces Under the 18th Amendment and Suggest a Way Forward. |
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