15/23 - Crises in Pakistan Continue to Strengthen the Military

But how Pakistan uses this respite period, and the seriousness of the leadership to address the structural challenges in the economy will be assessed in the coming time. [...] The government has constituted the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) “to serve as a ‘One-Window’ platform to fast-track decision-making and promote as well as facilitate Foreign Direct Investment.”3 The members of the SIFC include provincial chiefs, federal ministers, and the head of the Pakistan Army.4 The regime is very optimistic about the potential of the SIFC to attract 1 | https. [...] The initiative will increase the military’s active engagement in the economy and has the potential to compromise the position of the democratic government. [...] The announcement of the Election Commission of Pakistan regarding the fresh delimitation of constituencies on the basis of the latest consensus has put a question mark on the timing of the elections. [...] The Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) 2023 brings crucial dimensions regarding protecting the stature of the military establishment, restricting the political activities of military personnel, and, very importantly, expanding the role of the military in national development.