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Pakistan’s government wants to dissolve parliament prematurely
Prime Minister of Pakistan: Shehbaz Sharif. photo
© BK Bangash/AP/dpa
A bang in Pakistan: the government is dissolving parliament, giving itself more time to prepare for the new elections. Will ex-PM Imran Khan make a comeback?
With the political move, the South Asian country now has a month more time for new elections. According to the constitution, these must now take place within 90 days, instead of 60 days at a regular end.
In nuclear power Pakistan, a power struggle has been raging for more than a year between the family dynasties that are in government and the ousted ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan. The former cricket star was ousted by a vote of no confidence in April 2022 and has since faced numerous charges. Observers see political reasons for this. Khan hopes for a political comeback.
The former prime minister was briefly arrested in May. His followers then stormed military installations. Since then, the 70-year-old has openly criticized the powerful military in numerous interviews.
Since the founding of Pakistan more than 75 years ago, there has been unrest and instability in the South Asian country. The military ruled for more than half of that time. And even among civilian governments, generals were seen as the force that could decide on the success or failure of political leadership.