The Faltering State: Pakistan’s Internal Security Landscape Second Edition

The Faltering State offers a rigorous examination of the country’s internal security challenges and the governance deficits that have shaped its contemporary trajectory. Drawing on nearly four decades of distinguished public service (1973–2011), Tariq Khosa provides a rare insider’s perspective on the institutional weaknesses, policy failures, and governance shortcomings that have undermined the foundations of the state.

In this second edition, the author draws on professional experience and critical analysis to examine the erosion of the rule of law, the weakening of public institutions, and Pakistan’s evolving security challenges. Covering major national developments from January 2011 to February 2025, the book places contemporary events within the broader context of state capacity, governance, and security.

An essential resource for policymakers, academics, students, and informed citizens, The Faltering State offers important insights into the measures required to secure Pakistan’s future as an effective and resilient state.