The reality is that besides the fact that the election exposed the limits of the military’s ability to control the outcome as effectively as it had in the past , it is premature to measure the full extent of the blow to the military until we see how the next week or two pan out. It looks like the election is unraveling and the military is scrambling to keep the country from exploding politically, including even the accommodating Imran Khan. If all fails, the military may move to declare martial laws/emergency rule. Should there be strong resistance and the military orders troops to quell it, the willingness of those in the ranks to crack heads, above those of Punjabis, is doubtful. Without a disciplined army, the military as we have known it is no more and Pakistan will not be the same.
Marvin G. Weinbaum
Director, Afghanistan and Pakistan Studies
Middle East Institute