View from the neighbourhood

A weekly look at the public conversations shaping ideas beyond borders — in the Subcontinent.

Same-page problem

The December 8 editorial in Dawn brings up an interesting facet of contemporary politics in Pakistan, one which has its roots in the very structure of the country’s political institutions and their interactions with each other. “The same page mantra”, as the editorial describes it, pertains to the “leaderships of the federal government, the military and the superior judiciary” working “together in the pursuit of peace, progress and prosperity”. As his government continues to weather a series of crises, Imran Khan has increasingly welcomed the cooperation from the military and judiciary. “While such cooperation is entirely welcome where constitutionally appropriate, at moments Mr Khan’s comments have appeared to resemble those made by a junior partner thankful for a helping hand and pat on the back by other institutions,” the editorial claims.