The recent wave of protests by PTI workers and supporters across Pakistan regarding the rigging in the parliamentary election underscores deep-rooted concerns about the integrity of the electoral process in Pakistan. Though PTI-backed independent candidates have won most seats, the army is fully supportive of PML-N and PPP. While the army has loomed large over Pakistan’s political landscape, its political elite must learn to gauge voters’ mood regardless of which party forms the government. The army must focus on the tense security situation in the country, leaving politicians to decide whether Pakistan wants to be debt-free or continue to be a troubled nation. Records show that PTI, PML-N, and PPP have set debt records every year, continuing the same pattern under both democracy and dictatorship.
