For decades Pakistan’s military has dictated the political direction of the country. In August, 2024, they jailed former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, on a number of charges, including corruption and national security violations.
The military did not stop there. They also jailed numerous candidates aligned with Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI.
Khan called the charges “politically motivated.” According to Khan, the numerous charges were designed to prevent him from running for office in the upcoming elections.
Well, it seems that Khan may have had the last laugh. On February 8th, Mr Khan’s party won a clear majority of seats in the National Assembly. Under Pakistan’s electoral law, the PTI would then from a coalition government.
The military’s preferred candidate, Nawaz Sharif , of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, or PLMN, does not have the electoral strength to form his own coalition government. Chaos has ensued.
Could such a ridiculous turn of events ever happen in the United States? Of course not. We are a sophisticated society. Our country is governed by an advanced democracy. So, no, there is no way such a thing could happen here.
Really?