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Pakistan

Can Imran Khan Fulfill His Term As Prime Minister?

Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

Apart from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, no other Prime Minister of Pakistan has ever served a full term. In the country's 74-year history, all other prime ministers have been forced to step down before their terms expire. In most cases, the country's military has played a key role in their ouster. However, observers believe that the 22nd Prime Minister of the country, Imran Khan, may be an exception this time. He has been supported by the Pakistani military since before he came to power. During his tenure, the military's position in the country's civil administration and economy has become stronger. As a result, he will get their support in the end. In that case, Imran Khan is going to complete his term as the second Prime Minister in the history of the country.

However, many people think that there is a strong possibility of deviation. Rumors have surfaced in Islamabad that the military is at loggerheads with Imran Khan. In that case, the military's support for him may not last long. If that happened then he would be forced to step down. There are even rumors of early elections, which many are not able to dispel at all.

(Photo: Collected)

The country's military is considered to be the most powerful influence in Pakistan's power and political structure. Since the coup of Iskander Mirza in the middle of the last century, almost every prime minister of the country has struggled to save his power from the ambitions of the generals. However, from now on, most observers think that Imran Khan is safe. They say that Imran Khan has already established his image as a supporter of the military. During his tenure, many former and current military officers have been appointed to high-level and important state positions. He also gave many facilities to the military. As such, the military is less likely to withdraw support from him.

According to Ayesha Siddiqui, a research associate at the UK-based School of Oriental and African Studies, Imran Khan's government will probably be able to complete its term till 2023, even though it is not currently in a very strong political position. Although he is currently facing many problems internally. Again, its acceptance to the Western powers is much less. He made the remarks in a recent article in The Diplomat.

The military has seized power in Pakistan several times since then. Even though he is not in power, there are allegations against those wearing uniforms. On the other hand, the officials of the civilian govrnment have always avoided the path of crushing the military or have been ousted from power.

Opponents of Imran Khan allege that it was the Pakistani military that brought him to power. None of the country's elected prime ministers were so submissive to the uniformed. On the other hand, Imran Khan also had to say repeatedly before he was elected in 2018 that he is not close to the military.

(Photo: Collected)

At present, the participation of the military in the administration of Pakistan is much more visible than before. The practice of sending retired generals abroad as ambassadors or appointing them to various insignificant positions in the administration has been going on for a long time. In addition, former army officers have been assigned as heads of various departments dealing with disasters. However, former and current army officers are now seen in various important positions in the country's economy. Important places like civil aviation, health sector, state-owned airlines, electricity, housing, energy and water resources services are now being run by former and current military officers.

At the moment, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is at the heart of Pakistan's economy. Under this, China is investing about 6 trillion dollars in the country's infrastructure sector. A retired lieutenant General Asim Bajwa is also employed as the head of the CPEC implementation authority. Earlier, Imran Khan had appointed Asim Bajwa as his advisor.

According to Farzana Sheikh, an observer at Chatham House, a London-based think tank, the difference between Imran Khan and his predecessors in terms of his relationship with the military is that he is much more consistent. One of the distinguishing features of the current government of the country is that it no longer has any influence on the military in its policy-making. Previous prime ministers have been embroiled in controversy with the military's top leadership. What Imran Khan is being told there, he is doing with joy.

He made the remarks in a recent article in The Economist.

However, the relationship between Imran Khan and the Pakistani military has not been going well lately. Pakistani journalist Umair Jamal reports that the role of Imran Khan and his party Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Punjab politics has caused outrage among the military. Besides, many politicians who are against Imran Khan have already settled their disputes with the military. There is a rumor in a court in Islamabad that Imran Khan is going to lose the support of the military.

According to most observers, these rumors are unlikely to materialize in the end. In that case, Imran Khan may be able to fulfill his term as the second Prime Minister of Pakistan.

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