Abstract
This study examines the complex relationship between political instability, governance failures and international migration in Pakistan, with a specific focus on the aftermath of the 2022 regime change. Through qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and policy documents, the research reveals how institutional decay, including judicial politicisation, military interference in governance and bureaucratic dysfunction, has transformed migration into a survival strategy for disillusioned citizens, particularly among the skilled middle class. The findings challenge conventional economic-centric migration models by demonstrating that political grievances, rather than purely financial motivations, increasingly drive emigration decisions in hybrid regimes. This study proposes a three-phase migration model, of institutional disillusionment, opportunity assessment and network activation, to explain how governance breakdowns translate into emigration waves, while highlighting the amplifying role of diaspora networks in normalising migration as a response to state fragility. The research contributes to broader debates on political migration, providing insights applicable to other fragile states experiencing democratic backsliding with military influence. The findings emphasise the need for structural governance reforms, rather than purely economic solutions, to address brain drain in politically volatile environments.