Revolving door politics? Shadow of military looms over Pakistan elections
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Play - 44:49
A country that's broke, beset by radical insurgents and on the front lines of global warming needs leadership its citizens can trust. But Thursday's elections follow a familiar pattern of revolving door politics.
Out is former prime minister Imran Khan, who first lost his coalition and then his freedom after feuding with the military-backed establishment.
In is a scion of Pakistani politics, Nawaz Sharif, whose return from exile was made possible by a Supreme Court rule change that enabled him to run despite a corruption conviction. The same Sharif once ousted in a coup is back in favour. Why? What's the army's calculation?
And how does a youthful nation break out of the dynastic politics of old? The third player in Thursday's elections is Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, son of assassinated prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Why do dynasties dominate in Pakistan, and what’s the alternative?
Produced by Charles Wente, Guillaume Gougeon and Imen Mellaz.
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