Poor performance of the Shehbaz Sharif government on all fronts, particularly its inability to tackle the unprecedented back-breaking inflation, has been the main trigger. People have completely forgotten that the beginning of the economic morass took place during Khan’s government and that it has now reached monstrous proportions. The masses equally blame Pakistan army for keeping Shehbaz government afloat. In fact, everyone in Pakistan knows that without the backing of the army it would not have been possible for Pakistan Democratic Movement led by Shehbaz Sharif to topple the government of Imran Khan in the first place.
Besides, the people are also angry at the ruling government and its army backers for its failure to hold early elections as demanded by Imran Khan on some excuse or the other, thereby denying them their democratic right. In fact, Sharif government has refused even to implement the decision of Pakistan Supreme Court to hold elections to Punjab assembly on May 14. It is generally believed that general elections, as and when held, are likely to bring Khan and his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf back to power with a better majority.
Credit goes to Khan for assiduously and painstakingly weaving a successful narrative through numerous social media accounts against Pakistan army and how it was keeping a corrupt government in power. All efforts by the army to neutralise the onslaught against it on social media have been unsuccessful. Khan has been successful in even passing the blame of the failed assassination attempt by a suspected “lone wolf” on him on Major General Faisal Naseer of Inter-Services Intelligence, whom he calls “dirty harry”.
In fact, Khan has been on the offensive against the leaders of the ruling coalition soon after his removal. His threat, before being thrown out of power, that he would become more dangerous if he was removed as prime minister, has proven to be prophetic. No doubt that he has a better pulse of the people than the army and Sharif government. Now that Khan has crossed army’s “red line”, the army will lose face if it can’t now keep Khan in jail for some good time or get him disqualified through a judicial process.
The political instability, people on the streets, inability of the law enforcement agencies to implement the rule of law and the failure of the army to protect its assets are fraught with serious consequences for Pakistan and the region. The space in the polity vacated by traditional political parties would be soon occupied by religious groups, who have the required manpower to add to the chaos.
The countries in the region and the world at large should remember that religious extremist groups in Pakistan have been buoyant after the Taliban took over Afghanistan defeating the most powerful nation on the planet. These groups want the same to be repeated in Pakistan. In fact, most of these religious organisations have the capacity to generate anti-India sentiment and can exploit the youth there for some nefarious activities that could adversely affect our security.The writer is a former Intelligence Bureau officer who served in Pakistan. The views expressed are his own.
