Pakistan Politics

By staging such a massive gathering in Lahore, it appears that the military is trying to bring JuD into mainstream politics, which is clearly an ominous sign of the times to come.

• Amit Julka
• December 23, 2011
• IDSA Comments

Byzantine intrigues are nothing new in the sordid world of Pakistan’s power politics.

• Sushant Sareen
• November 23, 2011
• IDSA Comments

The importance of the MFN status issue lies in the debate that the agreement has initiated in Pakistan, which could influence both the internal political structures of the country as well as the way it deals with its neighbours.

• Shamshad A. Khan , Amit Julka
• November 23, 2011
• IDSA Comments

At a time of such monumental, even existential, challenges, if all that Pakistan can come up with is a vacuous demagogue like Imran Khan, then its future is pretty bleak.

• Sushant Sareen
• November 08, 2011
• IDSA Comments

While the institutional reforms and structures are in place, often their effectiveness is impeded by corrupt practices and lack of proper maintenance and implementation on ground.

• Medha Bisht
• September 30, 2011
• IDSA Comments

It would appear that for the moment at least the TINA factor operates in favour of the Zardari/Gilani combine especially if they continue to occupy their offices without wielding any real power.

• Sushant Sareen
• December 30, 2009
• IDSA Comments

The current change in the Chair of the NCA merely indicates the declining power of President Zardari and does not necessarily mean empowerment of the civilian government.

• Smruti S. Pattanaik
• December 04, 2009
• IDSA Comments

• Sumita Kumar
• March 2009
• Strategic Analysis

Though anticipated, the timing of the Islamabad High Court’s verdict to release disgraced nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan from house arrest has surprised many, since it came days before the first ever visit by Richard Holbrooke, President Obama’s special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Zardari government has tried to play safe by citing this as a decision taken by an ‘independent’ judiciary. Such arguments are, however, unlikely to find many takers.

• A. Vinod Kumar
• February 20, 2009
• IDSA Comments

• Ashok K. Behuria
• May 2008
• Strategic Analysis