Pakistan’s Army General intervenes to tackle political crisis

Pakistan Government has appointed its Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif as mediator to neutralize the ongoing political crisis in the country. The decision to seek COAS’ help was taken after both Imran Khan, chief of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Tahir-ul-Qadri, the chief of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) refused to end their protests demanding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign.

Background:

The current political turbulence in Pakistan was caused after the former additional secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Afzal Khan claimed that the general election in which Nawaz Sharif registered an overwhelming victory was rigged. The country is in turmoil owing to political impasse for two weeks. Anti-government protests have gripped the capital Islamabad.

Earlier, Pakistan’s military had chosen not to intervene in the political crisis. But now, with the direct involvement of the General, there are apprehensions that military could use this opportunity to exercise its influence over a democratically-elected civilian government.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2014