With the powerful military, Khan can only do so much

I refer to your thought-provoking editorial Imran Khan has a real opportunity to end

India-Pakistan conflict (July 30): it is true that Mr Khan will have a tough job managing the military in Pakistan after he assumes the office of prime minister, if he leans towards friendship with India. You are right that it will be a “baptism by fire” if he tries to control the military on foreign policy. The fact is that if Mr Khan gets into a conflict with the military in Pakistan, he will be eased out.

The military is the most powerful group in Pakistan. It will continue to be so. In 70 years of Pakistan’s history, whenever any prime minister has confronted the military, he or she has been ousted or exiled.

The military will always be dominant in Pakistan because it has ensured that the country shares its paranoia about India. In my opinion, Indians would love to live in peace with Pakistan. But if Indians and Pakistanis embrace each other, then the supremacy of the military in Pakistan would be diluted. The raison d’etre of Pakistan’s military is an unfounded phobia of India. It might not have a large say or role in the country if India and Pakistan co-operate. The best that we can hope for is continuing efforts towards peace between the two countries, without another armed conflict. Mr Khan might have to accept this bitter truth and foster friendship between the people of both nations.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai