YEAR OF PAK CHAOS: HOW 'MILBUS EMPIRE' CRIPPLED THE COUNTRY

The road to recovery is fraught with challenges. The military's grip on power is deeply entrenched, and resistance to change will be fierce.

- ASHISH SINGH

Year of Pakistan Chaos' is becoming 'Y ☐ a rallying cry on social media, encapsulating the frustration and despair of millions of Pakistanis. The nation stands at the edge of an economic precipice: inflation has soared past 38%, GDP growth is stagnating at 2.4%, and over 35% of the population lives below the poverty line.

The causes of this collapse go far beyond traditional mismanagement. At the heart of the crisis is a decades-old phenomenon-the military's entrenched control over Pakistan's governance, economy, and resources.

This "milbus" (military business) empire has enriched a small elite within the armed forces, while ordinary citizens are left to bear the brunt of rising inequality, economic despair, and deteriorating public services.

MILBUS: THE ENGINE OF INEQUALITY

Over seven decades, Pakistan's military elite has crafted an economic juggernaut under the guise of welfare and national security. Entities like the Fauji Foundation, Army Welfare Trust, and Defence Housing Authority have built sprawling business empires encompassing agriculture, manufacturing, real estate, and banking. These ventures generate immense profits while enjoying tax exemptions and minimal oversight.

By some estimates, the military controls approximately 12% of Pakistan's land, including prime urban real estate, allocated primarily to senior officers. This economic dominance operates as a parallel economy, largely insulated from the fiscal realities that ordinary Pakistanis face. For example, while senior officers live in gated communities and opulent residences, the average citizen struggles with skyrocketing food and fuel prices.

COST OF MILITARY DOMINANCE