That "mechanism" aka hold on power by extra constitutional forces only works in Pakistan to the extent that it keeps the status quo hold on power corridors, and thats about it, otherwise its just garbage in garbage out, when it comes to actually delivering for the people. How did this "mechanism" work say in America? You got Trump there, elected twice!
Bottomline is, how ever you want to paint it, populism or cultists , people must decide who they want as their leader. Let that person make the mistakes and dig his own grave. People will deal with that person. Populism do not fill the bellies, policies and growth do.