Vantage | Will Pakistan's army switch sides and strike a deal with Imran?

Amid Pakistan’s political landscape, chaos reigns supreme and the nation finds itself teetering on the edge of uncertainty. After days of intense manoeuvering, a new twist has emerged in what can only be described as Pakistan’s own “Game of Thrones.”

‘Game of Thrones’ In a surprising turn of events, Bilawal Bhutto, the scion of the iconic Bhutto family, has announced his decision to refrain from joining the government. While he never stood as a serious contender for the prime minister’s seat, his party held the potential to wield significant influence. However, Bhutto has opted to remain on the sidelines, pledging his support to Nawaz Sharif’s faction, albeit from a distance and only on a case-by-case basis. This move leaves Nawaz Sharif in a precarious position. Despite garnering substantial support in the parliament, his party falls short of the required majority. With 79 seats under his belt and an additional 54 from Bhutto’s camp, Sharif still finds himself 36 seats shy of the halfway mark in the 336-seat National Assembly. Seeking to bolster his numbers, Sharif’s brother, Shehbaz Sharif, hints at securing the support of independent lawmakers, potentially including those allied with Imran Khan’s party. Shehbaz Sharif’s confidence in mustering the necessary backing underscores the determination to propel Nawaz Sharif to the prime ministerial post for a record fourth term. However, the latest reports are saying Nawaz would want his brother Shehbaz to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan instead. Imran Khan leaves no stone unturned Meanwhile, Imran Khan, despite facing constraints imposed by the military, employs unconventional tactics, including artificial intelligence, to convey his defiance. Despite being incarcerated, Khan asserts his party’s victory in the elections, challenging Sharif’s legitimacy. Encouraging his supporters to defend their electoral triumph, Khan sets the stage for a fierce political battle. While focussing on consolidating power in provincial governments, particularly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khan aims to forge alliances at the federal level. His recent alliance with the Majlis-e-Wahdat-Muslimeen signals a potential shift in the balance of power. However, Khan’s path to governance is fraught with obstacles. He categorically rejects alliances with the Bhutto and Sharif factions, leaving him reliant on smaller parties and independent lawmakers. Despite emerging as the party with the most seats, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) faces the challenge of retaining the support of independent legislators. Uncertainty grips Pakistan As the political deadlock persists, Pakistan faces mounting unrest and uncertainty. Protests erupt in Balochistan with Islamic parties disputing the election results. The longer the nation remains without a functioning government, the greater the risk of instability. Behind the scenes, the military, which initially backed the Sharifs, faces growing pressure to intervene and broker a solution. Amidst speculation of a potential shift in allegiance towards Khan, the military finds itself at a crossroads tasked with navigating a path towards stability in a fractured political landscape. Amid this turmoil, one thing remains clear: Pakistan’s future hangs in the balance, with the spectre of chaos looming large. Whether the military can navigate the treacherous waters of Pakistani politics and salvage stability remains to be seen. In a nation where political alliances shift like sand, only time will tell who emerges victorious in this high-stakes power struggle. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.