The weak system of democracy in Pakistan took a new hit when, Saturday night, an elected government was thrown out of power through a no confidence motion – for the first time in the nation’s history, and at the behest of the judiciary. While cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan tried his best to hold on, situations conspired to see his exit. An alternative government is likely for a period, under which fresh elections to the National Assembly could be called. The passing of the no-confidence vote aborted Khan’s plans to hold the next election under his watch. The Opposition – mainly led by the Bhutto and Sharif families – joined hands for now, but their interests are bound to clash sooner than later.
Khan, whose rise in the political horizon in 2011 is purely by virtue of his popularity as a cricketer and a promise to cleanse the corrupt systems, had raised people’s expectations. His victory in the 2018 polls and assumption of power raised these expectations further. Several factors worked to his disadvantage even as he zealously carried forward his anti-corruption drive against political leaders. One, his majority in the National Assembly was narrow and at risk of being challenged. Two, he faced criticism of being a ‘selected’ PM with backing from the Pakistani military. Three, the judiciary in Pakistan was not dependable and exercised its clout at critical situations, as has happened even in the present instance. Its insistence that the no-trust motion be put to vote on Saturday night itself saw the end of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s government. Four, Pakistan’s economy ended up in dire straits, due also to the Covid19 impact, and inflation was to the order of about 10 per cent. In the gathering gloom, the military that gave him indirect support chose to ditch him – also as Khan’s actions vis-à-vis the army reshuffling raised suspicion among the generals that he might target them. Five, Khan drew the ire of the US when he, against their counsel, headed for Moscow to seek support from Vladimir Putin at the precise time when Russia began an invasion of Ukraine. Put together, the situation in Pakistan was tailor-made for disaster to Imran Khan and his PTI.
Unlike India, Pakistan is seen by many as a failed state. Multiple forces within are pulling it in different directions, with the military having an overarching influence over the system such as to undercut the cause of democracy. Khan tried to perform a trapeze act and could hold on till now. How the future in Pakistan will shape up is difficult to foretell.
