Pakistan in 2026: Managing Crises Instead of Solving Them

As​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Pakistan moves into 2026, it carries a load of challenges that it has been facing for a long time — the growing threat of militancy, the weak economy, and the increasing denial of civil liberties. These have been the issues for a while, but the change is in the disturbing sense that the state seems to be just coping with these crises and not actually resolving them — which is becoming more and more a short-sighted policy.

Militant violence is the biggest threat. The recent suicide bombings targeting the security forces in Bannu and North Waziristan, a deadly blast near Islamabad’s district courts and ongoing incidents in Balochistan stand as harsh testimonies to the fact that the militant networks have not only survived but are still operating at a high level. The attacks have no geographical or symbolic limit anymore — they are spreading randomly.

Still, the government’s anti-terrorism strategy relies mostly on using the army and the police to carry out operations instead of turning around the causes of the problems. The absence of a serious police force, local judiciary, governance, and political engagement in the troubled areas result in the very little impact of the operations. If the internal affairs of the country are not changed, then 2026 will be just another year of the officials protesting and superficial investigations while the core problems being ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ignored.

On​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ the economic front, the situation smolders more slowly but is no less dangerous. A partial privatization of PIA was seen as the long-awaited success, however, it also came to represent how rare decisive policy making has become. One high-profile deal cannot replace the need for comprehensive tax reform, restructuring of loss-making public sector enterprises and putting in place of consistent and credible policies. Without these basics, Pakistan risks being locked into a cycle of short-term relief measures, foreign bailouts, and extended stagnation.

The narrowing of democratic space is equally worrying. Just in the last year alone, long internet shutdowns, the crackdown on protests, increasing pressure on journalists, and punitive measures against dissenters have become regular features. Media outlets are being censored, social platforms are regularly blocked, and human rights defenders face harassment and red tape.

Temporary suppression of criticism through these methods leaves no room for accountability and thereby only alienates the public more — especially younger generations who have lost faith in the political system. A political framework based on force rather than agreement is unstable and will not be efficient, so it is self-defeating.

Going into 2026, the question of institutional integrity is a key one. Parliament needs to re-establish itself as the organ which through open debate crafts legislation rather than a tool for diktats. Courts are totting up brings trust if they are consistent, independent, and free from any influence.

For the economy to pick up, the very basics namely transparency, fairness, and unwavering policy making must be in place. Security measures have to be under the oversight of civilians and not just constantly in crisis mode. Most importantly, the government needs to be aware that it is repression that makes a country fragile. Control may have been the chief method — but the real strength of a country lies in inclusive, accountable ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌governance.