Pakistan army at its game again

India needs to be wary about regime change in Pakistan
Picture of Vipin Pubby

Vipin Pubby

With the political turmoil brewing in Pakistan and question mark over his successor, India shall have to remain alert.

It is a well-known fact that Pakistan army plays a dominant role in the internal politics of Pakistan. The country has remained under direct Army rule for over 30 years since the formation of the country 75 years ago. It is also believed that no civilian government can survive in the country without the backing of the Pakistan Army.

It is no wonder that no civilian prime minister of the country has completed a five year tenure and there have been no less than 30 prime ministers since its inception. Besides, it has seen 15 presidents and three revised constitutions during the period.

Pakistan
Imran Khan with Gen Bajwa

All through the campaign for the last elections to the National Assembly in 2018, it was obvious that the army was backing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan.

He had not only positioned himself as aligned to the army and was speaking its language, he had been projecting his arch rival, Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), as pro-India and anti-Army. Even on the day of the polling he had gone in record to say that Nawaz Sharif has “interests of India” in mind rather than that of Pakistan.

With the active backing of Pakistan Army, a victory for Imran Khan’s party was ensured. His party felt slightly short of the majority mark but the Army ensured that he got enough backing from smaller regional parties.

Now, after a rule of three and a half years, prime minister Imran Khan is finding himself out of the favour of the army. His government had been coming under severe criticism from the opposition for poor governance and critical economic situation with an unprecedented inflation. But what has put the survival of his government in jeopardy is his rubbing the army on the wrong side.

He recently sat over the appointment of the new ISI chief recommended by the army and was suspected to be backing an officer who was in line for the appointment of the army chief. He had been claiming that a foreign power was bent on posting his government.

However it is clear that he is no longer in the good books of the Pakistan army.

pak
Leaders of Pakistan’s opposition parties

The opposition parties have now joined hands to move a no confidence motion against his government and there has been a steady withdrawal of support to Imran Khan government from even the smaller parties supporting his government.

There is hardly any chance of his government to gain a vote of confidence and it is expected that he may resign before the voting takes place on April 1.

From India’s perspective this would mean another phase of uncertainties over its relationship with its neighbour. There had been visible improvement in the situation over the border during the last two years. The instances of shelling at the border have come down drastically and so has the infiltration of terrorists from across the border.

Kartarpur CorridorThe opening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, evidently at the suggestion of Pakistan Army, had improved relations between the two countries.

With the political turmoil brewing in Pakistan and question mark over his successor, India shall have to remain alert. It is also the time when Pakistan Army is seen to be getting re-activated. Besides, the high inflation rate and the country trying to tide over the serious economic crisis by more borrowings from international agencies, might force the new government to divert attention of the people.

_____________

Also Read:

75 years of hope and despair

Centre’s Opaque Auction Rules For Pulses Rip Off Govt Coffers, Help Millers Strike Rich

Need to amend laws like UAPA to provide for punishment for those who slap false cases

Global Arms Trade: Who are the real winners?

Why not 40 pc tickets for women in Punjab and elsewhere?

Punjab – How a deadly cocktail of Agri-Water-Energy nexus going to destroy it?

North Pole and the ideological conflict of RSS & Hindutva

Politics of Symbolism: Dalit Chief Ministers in India

Picture of Vipin Pubby

Vipin Pubby

The author, a freelance journalist, is a former Resident Editor of Indian Express, Chandigarh, and reported on the political developments in Jammu and Kashmir, North-Eastern India, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab in his long, illustrious career.

Disclaimer : PunjabTodayTV.com and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors’ right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabTodayTV.com or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here.

Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged.

— Team PT

Author Related Post
Related Post

Copyright © Punjab Today TV : All right Reserve 2016 - 2024