The Deep State in Pakistan
How the ISI Controls the Nation Beyond Civilian Oversight
The role of deep state actors in governance is a subject of increasing scrutiny worldwide. In Pakistan, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) functions as the central force of an entrenched deep state, exerting influence beyond the reach of democratic institutions. Unlike elected governments that come and go, the ISI has retained control over national security, foreign policy, and political outcomes for decades. This paper explores the ISI’s evolution, its consolidation of power, and its continued dominance over Pakistan’s political and economic landscape. By comparing its methods to those of intelligence agencies in other deep-state models, this analysis highlights the challenges of civilian supremacy in Pakistan.
Introduction
The existence of a “deep state” refers to a network of intelligence agencies, military officials, and bureaucratic entities that function independently of elected governance, shaping policy and political direction without electoral legitimacy. In the United States, discussions of the deep state intensified under Donald Trump’s presidency, as he sought to dismantle entrenched bureaucratic institutions. However, while the U.S. deep state operates within legal constraints and democratic oversight, Pakistan’s deep state, primarily embodied by the ISI, functions with little to no institutional checks.
This research examines how the ISI has evolved into Pakistan’s most dominant power structure. By tracing its historical development, operational strategies, and interference in civilian rule, we aim to understand why elected governments remain subservient to Pakistan’s deep state and what implications this has for democracy in the country.
The Formation of the ISI and the Early Deep State (1947–1971)
At the time of Pakistan’s independence in 1947, intelligence operations were limited, with primary threats perceived as external, particularly from India. The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was formally established in 1948, initially as a coordination agency for military intelligence. However, its role quickly expanded beyond its mandate as the Pakistani military became increasingly involved in governance.
The ISI’s Expansion During Military Rule
During General Ayub Khan’s regime (1958–1969), the ISI was instrumental in controlling opposition parties, suppressing dissent, and ensuring military dominance over civil institutions. Following the 1965 war with India, the ISI gained further operational authority, leading to increased surveillance of politicians and political activists. The 1971 secession of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) exposed the limitations of military intelligence, prompting an internal reassessment of the ISI’s role.
Despite these setbacks, by the early 1970s, the ISI had begun expanding its influence beyond security matters, inserting itself into political decision-making.
The Cold War, Foreign Funding, and the ISI’s Rise to Power (1970s–1990s)
The ISI’s transformation into an international intelligence powerhouse began with its involvement in Cold War proxy conflicts. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 proved to be a turning point, as Pakistan became a frontline state in U.S. foreign policy.
The ISI as a Global Player
Billions of dollars in CIA and Saudi funding flowed into Pakistan, with the ISI serving as the primary channel for financing and training Afghan Mujahideen fighters. This influx of money and weapons significantly increased the ISI’s operational independence, allowing it to expand its covert networks.
By the late 1980s, the ISI had developed a sophisticated infrastructure, enabling it to exert influence not only in Afghanistan but also within Pakistan’s own political landscape.
Domestic Political Manipulation
The 1988 elections saw the ISI engineering political alliances to counter Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The agency played a key role in forming the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI), a coalition designed to weaken Bhutto’s electoral prospects. The 1990s were marked by repeated ISI interventions in governance, from undermining civilian governments to facilitating military-backed administrations. The agency’s ability to manipulate elections, control media narratives, and shape public perception cemented its role as Pakistan’s true power center.
During this period, the ISI solidified itself as more than just an intelligence agency, it had become Pakistan’s deep state.
Post-9/11: The ISI’s Unchecked Dominance (2001–2023)
The September 11 attacks and the subsequent War on Terror further enhanced the ISI’s power. As the U.S. relied on Pakistan for counterterrorism cooperation, the ISI leveraged this position to entrench itself as the dominant force in the country’s security and political landscape—continuing a legacy of interference that had evolved over decades.
The ISI’s Origins and Role in Global Counterterrorism
The ISI was officially established in 1975 under Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, but it gained unprecedented power under General Zia-ul-Haq, particularly during the Soviet-Afghan War. Throughout the 1980s, the agency, with U.S. and Saudi funding, armed and trained Afghan mujahideen while consolidating domestic control.
In the 1990s, the ISI actively shaped Pakistan’s political landscape, working against successive elected governments. It played a role in engineering alliances against both Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif while also managing the rise and control of the MQM in urban centers. This continued into the 2000s, with the ISI manipulating the political field to maintain military supremacy.
Following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Pakistan became a key ally in the War on Terror, receiving billions in military and economic aid. While the ISI assisted in counter-terrorism efforts, it was widely accused of playing a double game—helping the U.S. target some terrorist groups while covertly protecting others, such as elements of the Afghan Taliban, to maintain Pakistan’s strategic influence in the region. This duplicity was acknowledged by foreign intelligence agencies, but they continued working with the ISI out of necessity.
The ISI’s Domestic Control
The post-9/11 era saw an intensification of the ISI’s domestic operations. Surveillance expanded, targeting political leaders, activists, journalists, and civil society groups. The agency ensured that elections remained managed to align governments with military interests.
In the 2010s and beyond, the ISI’s influence remained deeply entrenched. It played a decisive role in the ousting of Nawaz Sharif in 2017 and later manipulated political dynamics surrounding Imran Khan’s rise and eventual removal in 2022. By this stage, the ISI was no longer just an intelligence agency, it had evolved into a shadow government, directing Pakistan’s political fate from behind the scenes.
ISI’s Control Over Media and Public Perception
A critical component of the ISI’s power is its ability to shape public narratives. By controlling media houses, deploying cyber operations, and using legal intimidation tactics, the agency ensures its dominance remains unchallenged.
Media Influence
Journalists who challenge the military’s authority face censorship, abduction, or exile.
News organizations that align with the ISI’s interests receive favorable treatment, while dissenting voices are silenced.
Social media platforms are heavily monitored, with pro-establishment narratives amplified through coordinated campaigns.
Psychological Operations
The ISI engages in psychological warfare by controlling the flow of information to the public.
Narratives are carefully crafted to maintain the illusion of civilian government control while ensuring that real power remains with the military establishment.
Political leaders who defy the ISI are painted as corrupt, incompetent, or even foreign agents in media campaigns.
These tactics ensure that public discourse remains within parameters set by Pakistan’s deep state.
Current Struggles: The ISI vs. Civilian Governments (2023–Present)
The deep state’s grip on Pakistan remains firm, with no civilian leader able to govern independently of military influence.
The ISI’s Economic Influence
The military controls vast business empires, from real estate to energy sectors, ensuring financial self-sufficiency outside government allocations.
The agency’s influence extends to managing negotiations with international financial institutions like the IMF and securing economic deals with Gulf nations and China.
The Future of Pakistan’s Political Landscape
While public support for civilian leaders like Imran Khan remains strong, the ISI ensures that electoral outcomes favor the establishment’s interests. The cycle of controlled democracy continues, leaving little room for genuine civilian supremacy.
Conclusion
Unlike the U.S. deep state, which operates within institutional and legal constraints, Pakistan’s ISI functions with unchecked authority. The agency has evolved from a military intelligence unit into the country’s most powerful institution, exerting control over political outcomes, media narratives, and economic policies. While elected governments exist, they remain subservient to Pakistan’s true rulers, the military establishment, with the ISI at its core.
Without major structural reforms, Pakistan’s deep state will continue to dominate, making civilian rule little more than a façade. The struggle for democratic governance in Pakistan is not just a battle between political parties but a broader conflict between elected representation and a deep state that refuses to relinquish control.