Jul 25, 2026 #dwdocs #dwdocumentary #documentary
For decades, Pakistan has grappled with one crisis after another. The Kashmir conflict with In

Jul 25, 2026 #dwdocs #dwdocumentary #documentary
For decades, Pakistan has grappled with one crisis after another. The Kashmir conflict with India repeatedly escalates into military exchanges of fire. Economic stagnation is fueling social frustration.

For decades, India and Pakistan, two South Asian nuclear-armed neighbors, 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 one of the most dangerous borders 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.

Against this backdrop, the military has considerably expanded its influence 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.

Correction:
09:00 We apologize for the mistake made at the nine-minute mark. The correct text should read "Pakistan covertly developed its own nuclear arsenal," not "illegally."