This article was originally published as Why Pakistan’s Army Stands to Gain From Political Turmoil by the East Asia Forum on 18 September, 2014.
The political turmoil in Pakistan is approaching a decisive point. The ongoing protests led by Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri against Nawaz Sharif’s government have the potential to develop into a clash between democracy and the military. Already the crisis has given the Pakistani army greater political leverage.