Islamabad: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has warned that the country’s economic and political situation is so bad that there is a possibility of the army taking over power. At the same time, Abbasi urged all the stakeholders to start talks to find a way forward. According to media reports, Abbasi, a senior leader of the country’s ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, served as the 21st Prime Minister of Pakistan from August 2017 to May 2018.
He said in a television program that if the system fails or when there is a conflict between institutions and the political leadership is unable to move forward, there is a possibility of the military seizing power. Abbasi, 64, said, “There has been ‘martial law’ in Pakistan for a long time in similar situations.” There has never been a more serious economic and political situation. In circumstances much less dire than this, the army has assumed power.”
Is the army considering imposing martial law?
For almost half of Pakistan’s history, it has been ruled directly by military generals. Abbasi warned that if the conflict between society and institutions deepens, the country’s army can intervene in such a situation. However, the PML-N leader hoped that the army was not considering the option of imposing martial law. He said that he does not think that the army is considering it, but when they are left with no option, the army takes control of the country’s power.
Relations with the army are strained after Imran Khan stepped down from power
Relations between Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan and the army have remained strained since he stepped down from power last year, and the army has said several times that it will stay out of politics. Pakistan is currently grappling with high foreign debt and skyrocketing inflation. The country’s central bank said last week that Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have come down to $4 billion.
