Navigating Political Upheaval: Dissecting Pakistan and Turkey’s Pursuit of Change Amidst Global Uncertainty
In the turbulent world of politics, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s famous assertion that “a week is a long time in politics” rings especially true today. Currently, two events have captured international attention, highlighting the intricate interplay of power, democracy, and Western influence. The dramatic arrest and subsequent release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has raised eyebrows, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confronts a high-stakes election that could terminate his rule since 2002. Change looms on the horizon for both nations, although the outcomes remain uncertain.
Imran Khan’s April 2022 ousting, driven by external political pressures, occurred due to his hesitance to support sanctions against Russia. At the time, Pakistan had recently brokered vital energy trade agreements with Russia, coinciding with Khan’s visit to Moscow on the same day Putin initiated his siege on Ukraine. Notably, Khan’s PTI party maintains close connections with Erdogan’s party in Turkey, sharing ideologies across numerous fronts.
The powerful image of Khan being forcibly hoisted into a police truck by a hundred fully armoured men underscores the severity of political strife in a country riddled with corruption. Concurrently, Erdogan lags in the polls, risking defeat in the election’s first round. Turkey’s precarious political situation stems from the 2013 Gezi events and the notorious, brutal conflict between the AKP and a formidable religious community organisation following the botched coup in 2016.
Pakistan and Turkey grapple with comparable challenges, such as crippling debt burdens and stark wealth and power disparities. Pakistan’s predominantly youthful population and underdeveloped rural areas contrast sharply with the affluent urban elite. Turkey, once a paragon of harmonising democracy, capitalism, and Islam, has lost its standing as a guiding light for both the European Union and the Muslim world.
Furthermore, both countries boast formidable military forces and a history of military dictatorships shaping their political environments. In Pakistan, Khan’s adherence to the rule of law serves as his sole lifeline, despite surviving two assassination attempts and enduring a brief kidnapping and incarceration. Conversely, Turkey confronts a ballooning debt crisis and rampant inflation, exacerbating its already strained exports and surpassing even Pakistan’s economic woes. These financial tribulations indicate that Erdogan’s tenure may soon end.
At this crucial crossroads, the populations of both nations demand change and hold their leaders accountable. Tense relationships with the West add complexity to an already convoluted political landscape, rendering the future unpredictable. Despite the myriad challenges faced, the tenacity and resolve of the people may ultimately forge a path towards meaningful transformation.
