Pakistan’s fractured politics is in overdrive as the country heads into general elections next week after nearly two years of tumult and strife. At stake is not just who forms the next government but what shape of democratic governance emerges in the weeks and months ahead. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, hailed as one of the most popular politicians in the country, has already been knocked out of...

First, the fundamentals: In Pakistan, the election cycle is not the only process to be watched when determining the future political direction of the country; the cycle of the appointments of, and extensions granted to, the army chief is of equal and sometimes greater importance. That is because Pakistan’s chequered political history is the tale of a push and pull between civilian politicians and the military establishment; ground...