Islamabad , Pakistan ( CNN ) -- Pakistan is facing its most serious political crisis in years , with rapidly escalating conflicts between the civilian government , the military and the judiciary , against the backdrop of a faltering economy , widespread poverty , corruption and the bloody war with Islamist militant groups . The country was founded in 1947 as a democracy , but in times of crisis the army -- Pakistan 's most powerful institution -- has overthrown the civilian government on the grounds that the leadership had been unfit and corrupt . Rumors of another coup have been swirling around the current crisis -- but analysts say a military takeover is highly unlikely this time around . Here are five reasons why : . 1 . The people wo n't support a military take over . Pakistanis support a strong military for defense and security-related issues , but analysts say a history of failed military dictators has sapped much of the public 's confidence in the army 's ability to solve Pakistan 's political problems . The reigns of military leaders like Generals Ayub Khan , Zia Ul Haq , and , most recently , Pervez Musharraf , were plagued by accusations of corruption and ineffective leadership . `` It has become far more difficult for a military takeover to take place because of public opinion , '' says Ahmed Bilal Mehboob , the head of Pakistan 's Institute for Legislative Development and Transparency , an Islamabad-based political think thank . `` There is a strong consensus against a military takeover among the Pakistani people . Right now , all the public criticism is aimed at the civilian government . If the military takes over , the criticism will be directed at the military and that 's something they do n't want . '' Retired army Major General Jamshed Ayaz Khan says the Pakistani people are fed up with current civilian leadership , but they do n't think the army is the answer . `` They do n't want to go back to an old system that has never worked , '' he says . 2 . A vibrant Pakistani news media is watching . One of Pakistan 's internationally less-known features is its fiery and remarkably free news media that acts as this fragile democracy 's watchdog . A free press is only a decade-old concept in Pakistan but it has already emerged as a powerful player in Pakistani politics . At most hours of the day , Pakistanis can watch any one of dozens of 24-hour news networks , analyze the current political situation with reporters who hound politicians and catch up with newscasts that feature screaming debates and gaudy visual effects designed to make viewers stop and watch . It 's not all positive news : Six journalists were killed in 2006 , according to the Pakistan Press Foundation . Meanwhile the activist group Reporters Without Borders calls Pakistan one of the most dangerous places for journalists , with news personnel often being intimidated in the course of their work . Still , analysts say , the army will be answerable to the media in case of a coup . `` The media is a big factor , '' says Mehboob . `` We have already seen how the media is strongly questioning some of the actions taken by the military . If the military stages a coup there will be far more criticism from the media than any time in the past . '' 3 . An independent judiciary is watching . In previous coups , Pakistan 's military leaders have managed to strong-arm Pakistan 's judiciary into supporting army takeovers . Analysts say Pakistan 's current judiciary -- led by a chief justice who was suspended in 2007 by Musharraf but later reinstated -- wo n't back down from a confrontation with the army . `` The Supreme Court used to lend legitimacy to such efforts by the military , but that 's no longer available to the army , '' Mehboob tells CNN . 4 . Pakistan 's allies wo n't support a coup . Foreign powers , like the U.S. and Saudi Arabia , hold considerable influence over Pakistan because of economic , political and military support . That 's in spite of high tensions between the U.S. and Pakistan in recent months , following the American raid into Pakistan in May 2011 that killed Osama bin laden . Still , analysts say , Pakistan 's allies would view a military coup as destabilizing to the region and threatening to the fragile peace process in Afghanistan . `` The U.S. is watching and they do n't want a military takeover in Pakistan , '' says Khan . `` I think they 'll step in to do all they can to convince the army a coup is not the answer . '' 5 . The army has better options than a coup . Much of the speculation about a possible coup stems from the perception that the army 's leadership does n't like Pakistani President Azif Ali Zardari and wants him out . Tensions between Zardari and the army escalated after the Memogate scandal -- an allegation that the government sent a secret memo to Washington calling for help to curb the military 's power , an accusation the government denies . Analysts say that if the army wants Zardari out , then there are safer and more practical options than a coup . The Supreme Court is investigating Memogate and pushing for the government to pursue old corruption charges against Zardari . A ruling against the president would leave him too isolated to hold on to power , analysts say . Another option would be for the army to behave like the armed forces of a democracy by waiting for next year 's elections and letting the Pakistani people decide Zardari 's fate with their votes .
Pakistan emerged as democracy in 1947 , but the military has suffered during independence . Nation suffers from poor economy , widespread poverty , corruption , conflict with militants . Analysts : Vibrant media , independent judiciary may deter military threat . The army also has better options than a coup , said analysts .