Imran vs Bajwa: Is Prime Minister Imran's chair in danger! What is the option of the Pak army?

Posted on 16th Oct 2021 by rohit kumar

The controversy surrounding the appointment of the Pakistan Intelligence Agency (ISI) chief has now reached a dramatic turn. If this matter goes further then a major constitutional crisis may arise in Pakistan. The heat of this dispute can reach the democratic government there. It is being said that the Pakistani army is violating the constitutional provisions. On the other hand, the Prime Minister of Pakistan is constantly referring to the legal provisions in the appointment of the ISI chief. What is the legal provision? After all, what will be the final result of this political war? Is the elected government of Pakistan insecure? Can Imran Khan step down from the post of Prime Minister? Let us know what is in all these cases Prof. Opinion of Harsh V Pant (Director, Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Program at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi).

 

Is Imran Khan's chair in danger in Pakistan?

 

See, whenever there has been a conflict between the government and the army in Pakistan, then the army has captured the government. So if the dispute gets prolonged then it is not in the interest of Imran and the democratic government. We are not seeing any good signs. Pakistan army is aware that the popularity graph of Imran Khan has dropped. Imran has failed on almost every front after coming to power in 2018. In such a situation, the army can take advantage of this opportunity.

 

Why is the situation better for military governance?

 

Prime Minister Imran has failed to solve the internal and external problems of the country. In a way, he has failed on both fronts. Along with the failure of the Imran government to deal with the corona epidemic in Pakistan, many reasons bring their graph down. On the diplomatic front, he has completely failed. Be it the Pulwama terror attack or the issue of Article 370, India has defeated Pakistan on the diplomatic front. Relations with America have gone downhill during Imran's tenure. After becoming the Prime Minister, the economic system of the country has gone from bad to worse. Unemployment and inflation are at their peak. This is a favorable position for the army. So it is reasonable to doubt it.

 

Can Qureshi become the new Prime Minister of Pakistan?

 

See, it is gaining momentum in the Pakistan media that Shah Mehmood Qureshi can become the new Prime Minister of the country. Qureshi has a very good image in the army and the opposition. He is very popular in the army and the opposition. It has always been said in the political circles of Pakistan that Qureshi aspires to become the PM. However, even before this, he has missed two chances to reach the PM's chair. Once Yusuf Raza Gilani and second time Imran Khan became a hindrance in his path. The special thing is that there is a deep and good relationship between Qureshi and the army. The entire opposition calls Imran Khan the elected Prime Minister instead of the elected.

 

What are the options for the army in the politics of Pakistan?

 

See, in my view, if this dispute deepens, then the army can have two options. First, the army should seize power by sacking the Imran government. Second, the army can remove Imran Khan from the post of Prime Minister and put someone special on it. He said that in my opinion, it is possible that Imran Khan can be removed in case the dispute deepens. It is too early to say anything at the moment, but it cannot be said that Pakistan does not have such a political culture. Anything can happen in Pakistan.

 

How do you see the difference between Bajwa and Imran?

 

This series of differences between the elected government and the army is not new in Pakistan. The real key to power in Pakistan lies with the army. History is witness that if the elected government messes with the army, then it has to suffer heavy losses. Earlier, Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had to face the consequences of messing with the army. This conflict between the army and the government is heading towards a constitutional crisis. This does not bode well for Pakistani democracy.

 

How good is the rule of the army for India?

 

See, the military rule in Pakistan has not been good for India at all. The hero of Kargil war was Pervez Musarraf. He overthrew the elected government of Pakistan and took over the government. If you notice, there is an increase in terrorist incidents in the Kashmir Valley as soon as the army comes to power. The one-point program of the military regime is to create tension with India. During the military rule, the tension in the relations between the two countries reaches its peak. The democratic government of India is reluctant to establish a comfortable relationship with the military regime.