Crisis deep enough military takeover: to attract Pak ex-PM

Abbasi says Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif & Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munirshould initiate a dialogue

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has warned that the current economic and political crisis has all the makings of attracting a military takeover, adding that the army intervened in the past in much less severe circumstances as he urged the top stakeholders to initiate a dialogue. Speaking on DawnNews TV show 'Spotlight', the PML-N leader made it clear that martial law always remained a possibility if the system failed or when there was a conflict between institutions and the political leadership was unable to chart a way forward.

"Pakistan has had many long periods of martial law in very similar situations," he said. "In fact, I would say Pakistan has never witnessed a [more] severe economic and political situation before. In much less severe circumstances the military has taken over."

Abbasi warned of anarchy if friction within the society and institutions became too deep, adding that such a situation could also see the army step in. "It has happened in many countries," he said. "When the political and constitutional system fails, extra-constitutional [measures] take place."