A country IS affected by the kind of government of its neighbours. In the past, military governments have attacked the neighbours. Take the example of Nazi Germany. A democratic government wouldn't do such a reckless act.
But in this case of Pakistan, the alternative is mob rule, dictated by religous fanaticism based on the fact the the ancients are wise and later generations are fools.
It needs a strong state leader to prevent democracy degenerating to mob rule.
