No matter who triumphs, Pakistan's next leader will need to grapple with the generals over control of foreign policy and national security -- two areas that determine relations with the US and China, the Hindustan Times added.
Financial Express of India claimed that effort by previous Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to normalize ties with India was not taken kindly by the military lords of the Islamic nation. Nawaz, who is a three-time PM of the country, was forced to step down for allegedly violating an obscure clause in the constitution, then convicted on flimsy corruption charges and sentenced to 10 years in jail.
The Financial Express went to say:
"Several reports from the country claim that cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan is likely to win the polls and become the next prime minister with the blessings of the ISI and Army. Rumor mills are abuzz in Pakistan that the military is trying its best to ensure a majority for Khan, or near majority, in the 342-member National Assembly.
"It will be setback to the cause of democracy in Pakistan, and also not in the interest of India, if the military manages to install a puppet government. More so, because the Pakistani military has never shown any interest in peace with India."
India Today indicated that it will be difficult for India if Imran Khan wins Pakistan elections.
Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has emerged as the key challenger to power in Pakistan. He is said to be in good books of Pakistan Army, the paper said, adding:
"The chatter mill of Pakistan politics have it that Pakistan Army is making sure that a 'pliant' Imran Khan wins majority or near majority in 342-member National Assembly. Pakistan Army is not ready to give any decision-making leverage to a civilian government in matters of foreign policy and strategic affairs. PML-N and PPP have in the past tried to break free by advocating peace with India. Imran Khan has emerged as a candidate with right blend of fundamentalist politics and military compliance."
Pranyan Sharma of the Outlook India wrote Thursday (July 26):
"The political drama seems to be obeying a specific if tentative plotline that is generating a knowing smile in the Indian foreign policy establishment. Imran, they believe, has been propped up by the Pakistani army to cut to size its former protege, Nawaz. New Delhi, therefore, expects Imran to do the bidding faithfully for the generals in the domain of security and foreign policy--especially in its dealings with India."
Tellingly, in his victory speech on Thursday (July 26) Imran Khan said his government would like leaders of India and Pakistan to resolve all disputes, including the "core issue" of Kashmir, through talks. He asserted that the blame game between the two neighbors, detrimental to the subcontinent, should stop. "If they [India] take one step towards us, we will take two, but at least (we) need a start."
(Article changed on July 27, 2018 at 02:03)
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