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As no-confidence vote looms, Pakistan’s democracy faces key stress test
Fahd Humayun considers the state of Pakistani democracy amongst recent developments, in which Prime Minister Imran Khan is facing a no-confidence motion against an increasingly united opposition. The opposition has managed to unify with the help of the government's poor performance, with populist rhetoric from the Prime Minister further complicating matters. Pakistan has had heavy interference from the military in politics in the past, with it currently preferring to play more of an indirect influence over political decision-making. Further adding to the complexity is that if the no-confidence motion is to succeed, Pakistan will convene general elections, which have in the past been mired in controversy and allegations of rigging. The author notes that amongst these characteristics, uncertainty is sure to continue for the foreseeable future.