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Fear of Coup Against PM Shahbaz in Pakistan. Munir Is The Next President, Bilawal New PM

There is lot of turmoil in Pakistan's politics these days. There are strong discussions that President Asif Ali Zardari may soon be asked to step down and in his place the powerful army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir may become the new President of the country

Along with this, preparations are also being made to replace the current parliamentary system with a presidential system in Pakistan. The game of change of power is being played with the support of the Pak Army.

Pak Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir holds the most powerful position in Pakistan's power structure.

He is further strengthening his hold on power. Recently he has been promoted to the rare rank of Field Marshal.

With this position, Asim Munir enjoys lifelong military privileges, legal immunity and protection from unconstitutional interventions.

Former PM Nawaz Sharif's party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has started protesting against the growing equations between Army Chief Munir and Zardari.

Current Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and his party PMLN are opposing this possible change.

They fear that if the presidential system is introduced, not only will Shahbaz be removed from the post of Prime Minister but the relevance of PMLN and Sharif family in the politics of Pakistan will also end.

Therefore, it is reported that PMLN is in touch with various factions of the Pakistani Army in order to stop the rise of Bilawal.

There is talk of resignation of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari on the basis of his deteriorating health.

According to reports, Zardari has put a condition that if Bilawal Bhutto Zardari gets a big post where he can emerge as a mature leader, then he can resign.

The PPP has demanded the post of PM for Bilawal Bhutto. However, there are differences within the PPP itself over Bilawal's role.

Army Chief Munir's influence is also seen on the Pakistani parliament, judiciary and foreign policy. His high-profile diplomatic visits to places like Washington, Riyadh and Beijing are proof that he is seen as Pakistan's 'stability ambassador'.

Analysts believe that Asim Munir does not want to just hold a symbolic position by becoming President, but wants to bring about a change in the entire political system of Pakistan.

This attempt has come on the anniversary of General Zia-ul-Haq's 1977 coup, due to which it is being seen as a 'soft coup'. It is being said that Asim Munir has complete control over the parliament, judiciary and media and hence he will not face any difficulty in changing the constitution and implementing the presidential system.

Before this, there have been 3 army chiefs in Pakistan who later became the President of the country. However, all three reached the post of President only after carrying out a coup. Till date, no Prime Minister in Pakistan has been able to complete a 5-year term.

Ayub Khan Coup 1958 1958-69
Zia-ul-Haq coup 1977 1978-88
Pervez Musharraf Coup 1999 2001-08