In light of the historical facts, it is significant that Imran was ousted in accordance with parliamentary rules. But that is not going to do any good to democracy in Pakistan. Because this game was planned by the army itself.
PaImran Khan is the first prime minister in Kiston’s 75 – year history to be ousted by a no – confidence vote. The country was under military rule for more than half of this period. Despite successive successive governments, not a single prime minister has been able to complete his five-year term. In light of the historical facts, it is significant that Imran was ousted in accordance with parliamentary rules. But that is not going to do any good to democracy in Pakistan. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) movement announced last month that it was withdrawing support for the Imran government and would join the opposition. At the same time, it is clear that Imran will not have much time left in his term as Prime Minister. Imran lost his majority in the National Assembly. The only thing that officially confirmed it was the no-confidence vote that took place on Sunday morning. Leaders of the PTI took to the streets before the opposition leader, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party president Shahbaz Sharif, was confirmed as the new prime minister. At the call of Imran, they started the ‘freedom struggle’.
The move to oust Imran Khan was spearheaded by the PML-N and the PPP. Are parties. It was only when it became clear that the army’s attitude towards Imran was changing that the opposition had the courage to turn the opposition, which until then had been confined to words, into a no-confidence motion. The parties that had mobilized the army to bring Imran to power in 2018 also jumped at the chance. The PML-N and the PPP have tasted the bitter water of military intervention in the past. Parties. They constantly accused Imran Khan of being chosen by the army, not the people. And now the same leaders are clamoring for another election of the army.2013-’18. No one else would have encouraged the army as much as Imran Khan did during his reign. In 2014, Imran led a 126-day struggle to oust Nawaz Sharif. All those days he cursed Parliament and defamed democratic institutions. Perhaps, the military coup was even welcomed. In the past, he had to include in the front and in the cabinet those who were accused of corruption while preaching emotionally.
Imran’s flaws
Imran Khan’s strategy was to advance communal agendas in the name of Islamism. But the sharpening economic crisis in the country has backfired. With the rupee depreciating and inflation getting out of control, a large section of the ranks fell. Kovid 19 was handled relatively well by the government. But he failed to convince the people that Pakistan’s economic crisis was due to the global recession associated with the epidemic. It is Imran who has taught the people that if the value of a currency is depreciating and the prices of essential commodities are rising, it is because the Prime Minister of that country is a thief. But Imran Khan’s current ouster is not because people turned against him; Because the army is against it.
Military plans
It happened last October. Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has decided to appoint Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum as the head of the spy agency. Imran Khan did not agree with that. But not only did the protests not work, Imran Khan had to compromise on the military chief’s interference in even the prime minister’s privilege. In the past, Nawaz Sharif has tried unsuccessfully to overcome the military’s tussle over security and diplomacy. Nawaz Sharif has accused the military chief of overthrowing his government. Today, however, Sharif’s party seems to be yielding to General Bajwa’s gesture. The position of the Pakistan People’s Party is no different. They, too, are subject to military leadership in the hope of helping to protect interests in the powerful Sindh province. It is a paradox in history that the party was founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was hanged in 1979 by Zia-ul-Haq.
Dangerous maneuvers
PML-N, PPP The Pakistan Democratic Front (PDF) is led by extremist communalist Fazal Ur Rehman. The Front is trying to portray him as a symbol of democracy in Pakistan, who only incites hatred against Ahmadis and Semitic sects. It was only when Fazl-ur-Rehman was denied the opportunity to run for the National Assembly in 2018 as part of a military maneuver that he felt that ‘democracy in Pakistan’ was in danger. Imran Khan can be seen on the streets again. Imran will organize the people against whoever comes to power in his place. Instead of promoting a military coup, he will preach about the repression of popular uprisings by the poor government. PTI Slogans against the military leadership have already been chanted during the freedom struggle that has begun.
Imran Khan wanted to remove General Qamar Bajwa, the army chief, before he was ousted. But with the meeting between the two, the curtain fell on Imran’s rule. Imran’s move against Bajwa was not in defense of democracy. It was the last tactic to protect itself. Pressure strategy to bring the opposition to the decision of the election. Imran first tried to dissolve the National Assembly and avoid a no-confidence vote. That attempt was thwarted by the intervention of the Supreme Court. Imran Khan can take this opportunity if he wants these setbacks. An opportunity to redeem oneself from the unbridled lust for power and selfishness. Before coming to power, Imran Khan had criticized the military. His view at the time was that the military leadership was selling the country’s sovereignty over to the US. Imran did not hesitate to support the Pashtun Tahafus movement, which was formed against military repression. However, with the ambition of power looming, Imran came to terms with his long-standing opposition. With no one to protect him, Imran Khan could go to great lengths. He can expose to the people the focal point of the military, the distorted power structure that he has been a part of for so long. Imran Khan’s expertise in opportunistic politics will help.
(Author is a leading journalist and columnist in Pakistan)