"In fact, I believe Pakistan has never experienced a [more] severe economic and political situation." "The military has taken over in much less severe circumstances," he was reported as saying by the Dawn daily. Pakistan had been directly ruled for about half of its history by military generals.
Digital Desk: Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
emphasized the country's ongoing crisis on Sunday, claiming that economic and
political turmoil is so severe that it could lead to a military takeover.
Abbasi also asked the stakeholders to start a discourse in order to find
solutions.
Martial law always
remained a possibility in Pak
Abbasi, a senior member of the ruling
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), was Pakistan's 21st Prime Minister from
August 2017 until May 2018. He stated on a televised interview that martial law
was always a possibility if the system collapsed or if there was a dispute
between institutions and the political leadership was unable to plan a course
forward. "Pakistan has had many long periods of martial law in very
similar situations," remarked the 64-year-old commander.
"In fact, I believe Pakistan has never experienced a [more]
severe economic and political situation." "The military has taken
over in much less severe circumstances," he was reported as saying by the
Dawn daily. Pakistan had been directly ruled for about half of its history by
military generals.
Abbasi warned of anarchy
The
Pakistan Army, which has ruled the coup-prone country for more than half of its
75-year history, has traditionally exercised tremendous clout in security and
foreign policy concerns. If frictions among society and institutions got too
intense, Abbasi warned of anarchy, adding that the mighty Army might be called
in.
"It has happened in a number of
countries." "When the political and constitutional system fails,
extra-constitutional (measures) are taken," he was quoted as saying in the
paper. The PML-N leader, on the other hand, hoped that the military was not
considering instituting martial law. "I don't think they're thinking about
it, but when they're forced to," he says, "the old famous speeches
of'mere aziz hamwatano' (a phrase synonymous with military takeovers) are
heard."
The country is now dealing with significant
external debt.
The Pakistan Army has frequently stated
that it will keep out of politics, despite the poor relations between former
Prime Minister Imran Khan and the military before to his resignation last year.
Pakistan is currently dealing with massive external debt, a depreciating native
currency, and increasing inflation.
