‘Pakistan military may install an Imran-zardari government in 2023’
With Pakistan again becoming a frontline state in the “Great Game” with the US withdrawal from the Afghanistan theatre, the army establishment is putting its pawns on the electoral chessboard in the run-up to the 2023 national election. Many believe that a Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI) of Imran Khan and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of Bhutto-zardari
alliance is on the cards to keep Nawaz Sharif out of power in any future government. Recently, former Pakistan President and PPP leader, Asif Ali Zardari said on record that an alliance with the PTI could not be ruled out in the upcoming election. Last month, Punjab Assembly speaker and an important ally of PTI, Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi, met Zardari and apparently discussed matters of national politics. Many believe he possibly discussed a future tie-up.
“The way the army establishment has targeted the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), they have not targeted PPP, therefore these possibilities cannot be ruled out,” Ashish Shukla, assistant professor, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Amity University, told The Sunday Guardian. “They want to repeat the Imran Khan government, as he is not creating any problems for the security establishment. As of now, he is doing the deep state’s job and is under their command,” he added. Many believe that Imran Khan’s regime is under criticism because of economic distress, unemployment and rising debt; therefore, it may be difficult for the government to come to power on its own. Therefore, the army will try to forge a broader coalition to keep the PTI in power. The way the Opposition alliance named Pakistan
Democratic Movement (PDM) was blown apart due to differences between PPP and PML (N), the army’s hand cannot be ruled out. “Nawaz Sharif’s PML(N) may come back in Punjab province and if they win by an overwhelming majority, then PTI needs to go for a coalition with PPP,” said Shukla, who had written a book on the Pakistani military.
“The Pakistan army is a