For decades, India and Pakistan , two South Asian nuclear-armed neighbours, have been locked in a bitter struggle over the Himalayan region of Kashmir. The Line of Control, the ceasefire line between the two  powers, is considered the most dangerous border in the world.

But Pakistan’s challenges do not come only from outside: radical Islamists in parts of the country continue to launch attacks on security forces and civilians. Some Islamist clerics even call on their followers to oppose the Pakistani state. The Pakistani military has launched several operations to quell the unrest.

Of Pakistan’s 240 million people, 47 percent are under the age of 18. Yet economic stagnation and a weak education system are fueling frustration among the country’s young and rapidly growing population.

In this backdrop, the military has considerably expanded its power in what political analysts say is a "hybrid" system of governance with elected civilian representatives. The military continues to play a major role in the country's politics and economy. While the human rights organizations criticize the army's role in politics, the military officials point to various security challenges that, in their view, require their involvement. 

 

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