CLEAN BOWLED

The First PM Of Pakistan Ever Impeached

    Pakistan has written history by impeaching its first ever Prime Minister Imran Khan as he was unable to pass no-confidence motion backed by opposition parties after the go-ahead call from the Supreme Court of Pakistan in the majority of 172 out of 342 seats of National Assembly. This episode continues the jinx in the politics of Pakistan as no elected regime in Islamabad has managed to complete its tenure since the formation of the country. Shehbaz Sharif, brother of former PM Nawaz Sharif, will be the new PM and Bilawal Bhutto as foreign minister.

     Khan has been blaming the super power country (USA) for his ouster with the help from opposition parties. Army is also considered to bow him down. However, Khan came to power with Army backing. The growing fragility of Pakistan’s polity triggered by the deepening economic crisis and sharpening social contradictions also contribute in Khan’s unpopularity. It is reasonable to think that the most formidable force against him was within Pakistan, not outside. Eventually, it was Imran Khan’s relationship with the military and the Opposition that was instrumental in his fall. His standoff with the military over the appointment of a new ISI chief and differences over foreign policy issues created a rift with the military establishment. In the face of Pakistan’s difficult challenges, Khan was not able to build consensual politics of any kind and carry the Opposition along with him. He resorted to demagoguery to undermine the Opposition. The military has taken a neutral stand in the Opposition’s attempt to constitutionally unseat Khan.

     His politics reflected an eclectic set of agendas — Khan mixed his anti-corruption agenda with soft Islamism and anti-Westernism. He spoke about turning Pakistan into an egalitarian, modern, Islamic, democratic, welfare state. He gave the slogan for “Naya Pakistan” and promised to bring change. That vision of a “Naya Pakistan” has been shattered for some time now. He proved to be no different from other politicians when he dissolved parliament instead of facing the no-confidence motion and plunged the country into a constitutional crisis. His claim of being different from the existing political leadership and practising clean politics is now seen as hypocritical.

    From India’s point of view, Khan’s exit could create opportunities for repairing ties with Pakistan. The Pakistan military establishment has so far been the main obstacle in this, but Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and his frequent assertions in favour of trade and “geo-economics” as the way forward for the region, give the impression that he wants to pursue these ideas with India. It is not clear though if all his army colleagues back him, or even if the new government will endorse his plans. Khan and his government did not. Bajwa’s own term in office ends in November this year. Irrespective of this, if and when a new page is turned, New Delhi should respond with an open mind. At the same time, given the fraught equations in the wake of the growing Russia-China axis, it must remain vigilant for spoilers.

    The vision of a ‘’Naya Pakistan’’ lies shattered. It is back to the old Pakistan with its intermittent political instability, difficult economic challenges and a military that will not allow the political class to govern. The challenges for the new prime minister will be no different. He has to deal with these structural issues. There is not much light at the end of the tunnel. The military might take a back seat for some time, but it will ensure that it is able to decide outcomes. The political class will have to get its act together to ensure that governance is the main agenda of the political regimes. Pakistan needs a major reorientation in its politics and foreign policy. It has to set its relations with external powers and its neighbours right. Cutting off support to religious militants and improving relations with India will be helpful in dealing with its economic challenges.