What are plethora of challenges ahead for new Army Chief of Pakistan?
Asim Munir assumes command of the army at a time when the military is dealing with numerous legal difficulties. Since the Panamagate ruling in April 2017, the security establishment has been charged with trying to influence judicial processes in high-profile cases.
Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the PML-N and a former prime minister, accused the establishment of permanently disqualifying him. He was later found guilty and imprisoned prior to the 2018 general elections along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Capt (retd) Safdar.
In addition, PML-N officials charged that the superior judiciary, headed by former chief judge Mian Saqib Nisar, and the security establishment had stolen their party’s electoral victory in those general elections.
All institutions, especially the judiciary, military, and executive, were united when the PTI assumed power in order to begin “accountability” against opposition leaders. The higher courts were hesitant to release a number of political figures who had been imprisoned.
Asif Saeed Khosa, a former Chief Justice of Pakistan, said in his speech that the perception of “lopsided” accountability needed to end. The establishment responded angrily when the special court sentenced former military dictator Pervez Musharraf to death in a treason case.
Later, the Lahore High Court had invalidated the proceedings of the special court.
The case is still pending after being challenged in the supreme court. Likewise, journalists who questioned the authorities and the then-prime minister Imran Khan had difficulties. The majority of them were forced to quit their jobs. There have been a number of reports of harassment and abuse of media people.
The issues regarding civil freedoms and freedom of speech will also be a significant test for the next army leader. Due to their independence, it is anticipated that the security establishment will not participate in any plot to remove a judge.
Lawyers wonder whether the establishment will make it difficult for Justice Isa to be named CJP after the next army chief assumes power in the following year.
What are plethora of challenges ahead for new Army Chief of Pakistan?
According to former attorney general Tariq Mahmood Khokhar, the nation’s democracy, economy, politics, and institutions were always in disarray under outgoing army head General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
“Solutions are not always possible. The supreme judiciary must balance the scales. It must address the persistent problems with media restrictions, civil liberties, and the absence of both constitutional and extra-constitutional limits “added he.
