Is Pakistan’s military interfering in politics?
The opposition says the military is supporting the Prime Minister Imran Khan in inappropriate ways.
Pakistan’s opposition seems to be directly challenging the country’s powerful military establishment, saying it has too much political influence.
Pakistan’s army generals have a long history of political involvement.
Since its independence in 1947, Pakistan has been ruled by the military for more than 30 years. The army has remained hugely influential even during periods of civilian rule.
Leaders of the two main opposition parties and smaller groups came together in Islamabad on Sunday to form the “Pakistan Democratic Movement”.
It plans nationwide protests against military involvement in politics.
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party denies getting help from the army to win the 2018 election.
Is this another moment where the influence of Pakistan’s soldiers is on the rise?
Presenter: Imran Khan
Guests:
Fawad Chaudhry – Pakistan’s Minister for Science and Technology
Anatol Lieven – Professor at Georgetown University Qatar and author of Pakistan, A Hard Country
Ayesha Siddiqa – Research associate at University of London and author of Military Inc: Inside Pakistan’s Military Economy