AJK elections: A democratic test. |
THE international system is passing through a period of pronounced instability marked by geopolitical realignments, regional conflicts and diplomatic uncertainty.
From Eastern Europe to the Middle East and from Gaza to Ukraine, long-standing assumptions are being challenged. Much of this volatility is rooted in the erosion of multilateral norms over recent years, particularly during the Trump era, when erratic policymaking weakened institutional predictability and emboldened unilateral behaviour. In such an environment, politically sensitive regions are assessed not only through security lenses but also through the strength of their democratic and constitutional frameworks. Pakistan, despite economic pressures and regional challenges, remains strategically secure. This stability is underpinned by the professionalism of its defence forces and the coherence of its defence posture. Under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s military has effectively countered Indian belligerence while simultaneously contributing to the enhancement of Pakistan’s diplomatic and strategic standing at the global level. As a result, conventional military threats to Pakistan or Azad Jammu and Kashmir remain firmly contained. However, internal political uncertainty poses a far more subtle—and potentially damaging—risk.
It is within this broader national and regional context that the upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir must be viewed. These elections are not a routine political milestone; they represent a constitutional obligation and a test of........