Renowned cricketer Imran Khan took power in Pakistan through democratic elections in 2018 by forming an alliance with the conviction of fulfilling various promises. His assumption of power was a significant event. He broke the chain of long period of hereditary rule in Pakistan. But before his term expired, his opponents ousted him in a no-confidence vote on April 9, accusing him of economic and foreign policy mismanagement. According to Pakistan's constitution, Imran did not manage to have the required 172 votes to rule out a no-confidence motion. Apart from Imran's allies, several lawmakers from his own party took a stand against him. Now the questions arise the ouster of Imran Khan is the solution to Pakistan's political crisis? Or has the crisis intensified?
Imran Khan accused foreign powers of backing the opposition's no-confidence motion in parliament. Imran Khan asserted directly that United States conspired with the opposition to overthrow his government because of Pakistan's position at the UN on the Ukraine issues and his recent visit to Russia during the Russia -Ukraine war. He also claimed that the country had sent a "threat letter" in this regard. The United States denied the allegations.
Although Imran came to power democratically through elections, there are allegations that the country's military was behind his rise to power. But the army's good relations with Imran Khan have come to an end. In addition, the country's economy is already fragile due to rupee depreciation, declining reserves, rising commodity prices and revenue shortfalls. Imran has failed to deliver on most of his promises to eradicate terrorism, corruption, poverty and unemployment. In particular, commodity prices are beyond the reach of the common people.
When Imran came to power in 2018, inflation in the country was only 5.08 percent, which has now come down to 12.7 percent. In January this year, the country's consumer price index rose to 13 percent. Imran took various welfare projects like 'Health card' for the welfare of the people. But corruption, unemployment, rising commodity prices have created discontent among the people against his government. Moreover the controversial anti-terrorism campaign has led opponents to unite against him. All in all, when he was in a unsteady position, his political opponents chose to oust him.
Political tensions in Islamabad are nothing new. The vacuity of the democracy that erupted in Pakistan's politics with the assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan, the first prime minister of the newly independent country, are still undergone. Since independence, no democratically elected Prime Minister of the country has been able to fulfil his responsibilities. Some of them have been assassinated or ousted. The fate of the Prime Minister of Pakistan has always been controlled by the 'Deep State'. The same thing happened with the last democratically elected incumbent Prime Minister Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi.
The country's opposition leader and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahbaz Sharif has taken over as Pakistan's new prime minister. Several countries, including neighbouring India, have already congratulated the new government. On the first day of the parliamentary session as the Prime Minister, Shahbaz has given various promises to the people. It is declared that a new federal government will be formed like the national government. The new government will formulate an economic policy to curb inflation and currency devaluation.
They will formulate economic policies to prevent the rupee from depreciating and adopt a balance policy with all countries in foreign policy. Besides, relief activities will be started on an emergency basis for the poor people of the country. The new government will arrange for the repatriation of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (Shahbaz's brother) and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. Nawaz Sharif was convicted in a corruption case, is currently in London for medical treatment.
But things will not be easy for the new government. The country's inflation is now above 12 percent. The amount of foreign debt is 130 billion dollars that is 43 percent of GDP. The rupee depreciated to 190 against the dollar. Political instability in this economic downturn will have a more negative impact on the country's economy. In addition, separatists have long demanded autonomy in the country's mineral-rich and largest province of Balochistan.
Recently there has also been an increase in violence. The separatists may rise again in the political instability. The country also must need to reshape its diplomatic relations. Because Imran Khan has referred to the no-confidence motion against him as an American conspiracy. As a result, Pakistan's relations with the West have come to a standstill. In addition, Pakistan's relations with the West are at an all-time low over issues such as its position at the UN in the Ukraine-Russia war, the Afghanistan issue, and Pakistan's non-participation in Western protests against China's "human rights violations."
The new government have to overcome many challenges, including the opposition movement on the streets, the fragile economy, the internal separatist movement, corruption and militancy, the pressure of the deep state, and the development of diplomacy with the outside world. This remains to be seen whether Shahbaz will be able to come over all the challenges, or his fate will be like that of his predecessors.
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