News Analysis |
Prime Minister Imran Khan was congratulated by the Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on becoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan. In their first meeting since Khan became the 22nd premier of Pakistan, the PM and the Army Chief discussed the country’s security situation in a very cordial environment.
This is the second meeting between the two. Khan first met COAS Gen. Bajwa in 2017 to congratulate him for becoming the Army Chief. The two leaders vowed to maintain their efforts to ensure long-lasting peace and stability in the region.
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The flamboyant Khan and the dominating Bajwa
The democratic system in Pakistan has always been very precarious given the martial laws imposed in different eras for 33 years in a mere 71 year’s history of Pakistan. This turbulence has caused Pakistan’s economy and progress to suffer a lot. Ties between the military establishment and democratic governments have most of the time, remained strained.
Question is whether in the future, the Prime minister and Chief of Army Staff would be able to keep the parliament and military establishment on the same page for better future of Pakistan or not?
But the things seem to have changed for good in recent history with two consecutive democratic governments and apolitical chiefs of Army staff. In general elections 2018, 22 years of the struggle of PTI chairperson finally bore fruit and Prime Minister Imran Khan has emerged as the most popular political leader of Pakistan. Moreover, General Bajwa is applauded by all political parties in Pakistan for his pro-democratic stance.
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In the congratulatory meeting, both leaders reinforced the need to cooperate in order to ensure institutional harmony. They also agreed to collaborate with regional powers to ensure peace in Pakistan’s near abroad. Question is whether in the future, the Prime minister and Chief of Army Staff would be able to keep the parliament and military establishment on the same page for better future of Pakistan or not?