The article analyses the constitutional and political crisis in March-April 2022 in Pakistan. Political actors in Pakistan are divided into two groups: public politicians and the so-called establishment - the armed forces, the judiciary, civil bureaucracy, the ulema, landlords and feudal aristocracy. The latter group possesses three types of hegemony - political, economic, and cultural. An overview of theoretical approaches applied to the analysis of political processes in non-Western societies is provided. It is proposed to observe the 2022 constitutional and political crisis in Pakistan through the lens of constructivism, elite theory and historical sociology. The concerned crisis does not entail the transformation of the system, but the manifestation of greater flexibility and stability of its foundations. The establishment proved to master non-coercive instruments to topple unsatisfactory governments to continue staying in power and leading the country. Such a balance is not likely to change until public politicians create an alternative narrative about the past, present, and future of the country.