Context: 

This editorial is based on the news “C Raja Mohan writes: Whoever wins Pakistan election, General Asim Munir will wear a crown of thorns” which was published in the Indian Express. Elections for Prime Minister will be held in February in Pakistan. Since Independence, elections in Pakistan have been marred by controversies, including the all-powerful Army’s interference, and widespread allegations of corruption, economic mismanagement and voter fraud.

Pakistan Elections: Situation Before Election

• Unsustainable Order: Old political order becoming unsustainable in Pakistan.
• Role of Army Chief: Army Chief General Asim Munir aggressively consolidating power before elections. 
  • He politically destroyed Imran Khan who was installed then dethroned by the previous Chief.
    • Imran Khan threatened the army’s dominance more than any other leader.

Policies Adopted by Former Prime Minister Imran Khan

• Demonised and refused to cultivate political opponents.
• Relied on army backing to destroy rivals.
• Antagonized all of Pakistan’s traditional allies like the US, China, Saudi Arabia.
• Deluded himself that his ties with the army were equal.
• Remains popular with youth despite efforts to malign him.

Actions taken by Current Army Chief of Pakistan

• Used Islamic personal law to declare Khan’s marriage illegal.
• Showing desperation to puncture Khan’s popularity
• Will pick the next Prime Minister but then his problems will begin
• Presented himself as champion of economic reforms

Current Status and Challenges in Pakistan

• Economic & Security Challenges: Looming economic and security challenges.
  • No guarantee Munir’s economic reforms will succeed.
  • Pakistan’s relative global decline in the last 2 decades and economy dwarfed by Bangladesh and India.
  • Major security threats on western borders from Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Afghanistan.
• Challenge with Allies: Task of mending ties with the US, China, and Saudi Arabia is now harder.
• Army’s Role: Khan showed the army’s authority was no longer sacrosanct.

Conclusion

Analysts have repeatedly pointed to the absence of a level playing field in the elections that no one expects will be free or fair and some have described the elections as the “mother of all selections”. For India, the challenge is assessing Pakistan’s pathway under Munir after rapid decline.