Pakistan is also suffering its worst economic crisis with severe shortage of food and other products. It might think of ways to divert the attention of its citizens and India could be the most likely target.

Pakistan is again in the midst of a turmoil. The arrest of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, which appeared to be imminent over the past few months, has unleashed protests all across the country.

It is not for the first time that a former prime minister of the country had been placed under arrest. At least four other former prime ministers had also faced the same fate.

These include a three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was arrested multiple times on charges of corruption, two-time prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who was later assassinated, Yousaf Raza Gillani and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

It is worth noting that political arrests are a controversial issue in Pakistan, and many politicians and activists have accused the government of using arrests and imprisonment as a way to silence dissent and opposition.

Also Read: Imran Khan Arrest: How was it decided?

However the difference this time is that the protesters have also attacked Pakistani army’s general headquarters as well as the residence of the local commander.

Till date protestors had never targeted the army establishment but the attack this time is not shocking because Imran Khan had been openly talking against the army’s involvement in Pakistan’s politics.

Ironically he too was propped up as the country’s prime minister with the help of the army. His party had fallen slightly short of the majority mark but the Army ensured that he got enough backing from smaller regional parties.

Later he developed differences with the army leadership and began to believe in his own popularity.

He blocked some of the army recommendations including the chief of its intelligence wing, the ISI. Subsequently he was ousted from the office with the active involvement of the then army establishment.

Since then he has been organising protests across the country and blaming a foreign power, obviously the unites states of America, of interfering in the country’s internal affairs.

Pakistan has had a chequered political history beginning with Ayub Khan taking over as Pakistan’s president in 1958. Pakistan has been ruled by the military for approximately 33 years out of its 75 years of existence as an independent nation.

This period has also witnessed more than 25 prime ministers and none of them has been able to complete a five year term. It is believed that no civilian government can survive in the country without the backing of the Pakistan Army. The current prime minister, Shahbaz Sharif, too has the backing of the military which had actively engineered the ouster of Imran Khan.

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 couple of years. The instances of shelling at the border have come down drastically and so has the infiltration of terrorists from across the border.

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

However the two countries had been exchanging cold vibes. The recent statement of external affairs minister S Jaishankar during the visit of his Pakistani counterpart Bilal Bhutto Zardari can be seen as India hardening its position against Pakistan.

For India, a democratic and stable Pakistan is of utmost importance. Army has its vested interests in keeping the Kashmir cauldron boiling. An unstable Pakistan is always bad news for India as it propels various agencies to divert attention and in the process, it is the average Indian and Pakistan citizen that suffers and personnel of Indian security forces who have to remain vigilant.

Pakistan is also suffering its worst economic crisis with severe shortage of food and other products. There have been riots over sale and distribution of even basic necessities like wheat flour. The rate of petroleum products have sky rocketed with price of one litre or petrol touching Rs 285 in Pakistani currency.

Also Read: SCO Meet Indicates: Indo-Pak Ties to Stay Strained

The country is under a debt of 40 million US dollars and even the IMF is hesitant to lend it any more funds. It might think of ways to divert the attention of its citizens and India could be the most likely target.

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