The changing dynamics that are thwarting possibility of military coup in Pak

Islamabad, Jan 24(ANI): An article in a US daily has said the fact that the Pakistan People-Party seems to edging closer to becoming the first elected government to complete its tenure has sparked off a debate about whether the military still continues to wield power behind the scenes or whether the roots of democracy are actually deepening in the country.

It said that the recent political events in Pakistan, including the replacement of the Defence Secretary and President Asif Ali Zardari's overseas visit had stoked speculations of an imminent military coup, which however did not happen.

"A coup d'etat was coming, the Pakistani media screamed. Except that it did not," the Washington Post article said.

The article quotes analysts, as saying that the military tools cannot work in today's scenario in Pakistan, as the judiciary and the media have emerged as new power centres

The article said that some analysts believe that the Pakistan Supreme Court has played a significant role in deterring the possibility of a military coup.

It notes that the Pakistan military has been preoccupied with its own problems with chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani trying to improve the institution's public image after a decade of military rule ended in 2008.

The role of the military had also came under fire at home after the US Navy Seals raid that killed former Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden on May 2.

"A resilient Islamist insurgency leaves generals little down time to manage the economy" the paper quoted a military official, as speaking on the condition of anonymity.

"The military is so overstretched and preoccupied fighting the militants. It's a full-time occupation," a prominent defense analyst, retired Lt. Gen. Talat Masood said.

Some analysts said the Pakistan's media, which has become more influential in recent years, would be hesitant to support the military regime that could threaten its profits and reach.

"Parliament has become less deferential to the military, and the main opposition party, led by Nawaz Sharif, is no friend of the army, which overthrew him in 1999," the article said.

A Pakistani citizen, Arif Hayat, said that the military rule is not a viable alternative and as "it is only democracy that can change this country." (ANI)