Zarvan
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With clashes continuing between the police and protesters led by Imran Khan and Tahir-ul Qadri, the notion that Pakistani democracy has stabilised is being put to the sword. The incumbent government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif — who has been deposed by coups twice before — is the first government resulting out of a democratic transition of power in Pakistan. Yet it is being hemmed in by opposition leaders and non-state actors in a way that can only weaken democratic institutions.
Notwithstanding Khan’s and Qadri’s demand that the government resign over alleged irregularities in last year’s elections, opinion polls suggest that Sharif still remains more popular than the two opposition leaders. But the latter have used television and social media as force multipliers, projecting their strength to be far greater than it actually is. Thus, once again, the situation is tailor-made for the army to intervene.
The current circumstances are the result of a structural bipolarity in Pakistani polity whereby the government of the day is expected to cede authority to the army in matters of security and foreign policy. Given his strength in parliament Sharif was beginning to challenge this, as exemplified by his decision to travel to New Delhi for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. However, he is going to be much chastened by recent experiences. There are credible reports of a pact between Sharif and the army, whereby Sharif will hand over control of strategic policy areas such as relations with India, Afghanistan and the US in return for being allowed to remain in the PM’s post.
While the neutering of Sharif is bad news for Pakistani democracy, it clarifies matters as far as New Delhi is concerned. India-Pakistan relations have fallen victim to the structural bipolarity of Pakistani politics. Like Sharif the previous PPP government in Islamabad too had wanted peace with India, only to be derailed by the 26/11 attacks orchestrated by Pakistan’s deep state. On the other hand, General Pervez Musharraf’s regime had largely enforced the ceasefire at the border and almost delivered a deal on Kashmir. In the face of such evidence — and since India policy appears to have been formally transferred to the army in any case — New Delhi must open direct channels of communication with the generals without whose consent a peace deal is impossible.
This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
Current turmoil in Pakistan should compel New Delhi to reorient policy and engage the generals directly | Times of India Opinion
I don't agree with many of the things but still wanted to share it
@Aeronaut @Oscar @Fulcrum15 @Slav Defence @Icarus @Xeric @nair @Areesh @levina
Notwithstanding Khan’s and Qadri’s demand that the government resign over alleged irregularities in last year’s elections, opinion polls suggest that Sharif still remains more popular than the two opposition leaders. But the latter have used television and social media as force multipliers, projecting their strength to be far greater than it actually is. Thus, once again, the situation is tailor-made for the army to intervene.
The current circumstances are the result of a structural bipolarity in Pakistani polity whereby the government of the day is expected to cede authority to the army in matters of security and foreign policy. Given his strength in parliament Sharif was beginning to challenge this, as exemplified by his decision to travel to New Delhi for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. However, he is going to be much chastened by recent experiences. There are credible reports of a pact between Sharif and the army, whereby Sharif will hand over control of strategic policy areas such as relations with India, Afghanistan and the US in return for being allowed to remain in the PM’s post.
While the neutering of Sharif is bad news for Pakistani democracy, it clarifies matters as far as New Delhi is concerned. India-Pakistan relations have fallen victim to the structural bipolarity of Pakistani politics. Like Sharif the previous PPP government in Islamabad too had wanted peace with India, only to be derailed by the 26/11 attacks orchestrated by Pakistan’s deep state. On the other hand, General Pervez Musharraf’s regime had largely enforced the ceasefire at the border and almost delivered a deal on Kashmir. In the face of such evidence — and since India policy appears to have been formally transferred to the army in any case — New Delhi must open direct channels of communication with the generals without whose consent a peace deal is impossible.
This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
Current turmoil in Pakistan should compel New Delhi to reorient policy and engage the generals directly | Times of India Opinion
I don't agree with many of the things but still wanted to share it
@Aeronaut @Oscar @Fulcrum15 @Slav Defence @Icarus @Xeric @nair @Areesh @levina
