( CNN ) -- Pakistan 's perilous democratic transition has been rocked by the ongoing anti-government protests . The standoff between the government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and opposition parties continues to accelerate the political uncertainty and damage the fragile economy . Sharif was elected 14 months ago in an election that witnessed unprecedented voter turnout . While most opposition parties accepted the results , Imran Khan -- the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek I Insaf ( PTI ) party -- claimed there was widespread rigging . There 's not much evidence , however , beyond the usual irregularities of Pakistan 's outmoded electoral system , to back this up . But a successful campaign , aided by sections of Pakistani media , to de-legitimize last year 's vote has convinced a large number of people that somehow Khan 's mandate was `` stolen '' in 2013 . Another opposition group , Pakistan Awami Tehreek ( PAT ) , led by a Pakistani Canadian cleric , Tahir ul Qadri wants a systemic change and has a list of undeliverable promises to the electorate . His immediate grievance is the brutal police action against his supporters that left 14 dead in June of this year . Both the groups have mobilized their supporters since early August and have been camping in Islamabad 's red zone -- a high security area where many state buildings and diplomatic missions are located . In the last few days the sit-in turned violent as the protestors attempted to enter the parliament and prime minister 's residence , leaving hundreds injured and at least three dead . On Monday morning , mobs entered the state television premises and managed to suspend the transmission for some time until the military intervened and restored order . This was a most embarrassing situation for Sharif 's government as the civilian law enforcement apparatus appeared helpless . Role of the military . In such situations , it is Pakistan 's powerful army which usually intervenes ; it has taken over the reins of government four times during country 's 67-year history . Relations between Pakistan 's prime minister and the military have been far from smooth for months . The civilian government and the courts have proceeded to try Pervez Musharraf , the former army chief and president for treason . In May , the government was seen as sympathetic to the country 's largest television channel that , rather unprofessionally , named the intelligence chief as responsible for an attack on its leading journalist Hamid Mir , who was shot in Karachi but survived the alleged assassination attempt . Under pressure , the government later backtracked and penalized the channel but mistrust grew . On key foreign policy issues , such as India and Afghanistan , the government and the military are not on the same page either . Sharif is an ardent advocate of making peace with India , while the military 's strategic worldview has historically been determined by the threat from India . Sharif has been regularly meeting the army chief , General Raheel Sharif , and also consolidating his position by mobilizing other political parties in parliament . However , the media , on balance , has critical , in some measure propelled by the high-handed tactics of the government as it quelled protests including beating up journalists in recent days . Earlier , the protestors have been attacking journalists at will expressing their anger towards media houses viewed as `` partisan . '' There has been chaos all over and even the Pakistani Taliban mockingly stated that they too could paralyze the country 's capital . In the current stalemate the military has maintained an ostensibly neutral position . Pakistan 's Dawn.com news service described this as a `` carefully constructed veneer '' and suggested the military may not be fully siding with the government , which the constitution says it must do . The army has issued three statements in the past week wherein it has emphasized dialogue and negotiation with Khan and Qadri , as well as avoiding the use of force . Game changer ? On Monday , the former head of Khan 's party , Javed Hashmi , claimed the recent turmoil was planned by the protesting parties with the backing of sections within the army and possibly judges from the country 's top court . But in a carefully worded statement , the army reiterated its position as `` an apolitical institution '' and reminded all of `` its unequivocal support for democracy at numerous occasions . '' However , this has been a game changer of sorts as it allows the civilian government to reassert its political power . The recent breach of security at parliament and other state installations in Islamabad did not result in any attempt by the military to repel protestors . Yet the military is concerned about its image . It has regained its popularity by conducting operations against militants along its border with Afghanistan , and also by regaining its space in a powerful broadcast media that had played a pivotal role in ousting Musharraf in 2007-8 . But Sharif is fighting back and has convened a special session of the parliament on Tuesday , which is likely to reiterate support for him . A parliamentary committee will restart negotiations with the protestors . A coup may not be imminent . Until recently , it was widely speculated that Sharif may be forced to resign , given the turn of events . But Sharif might come out of this crisis as a weakened prime minister with the military controlling foreign and security policies . Having said that Pakistan 's political history is fraught with unexpected events ; and continued standoff may lead to a further meltdown where the army shall act as the sole arbiter of political events . Meanwhile , the majority of Pakistanis crave stability .
Standoff between government and opposition creates uncertainty , damages economy . Pakistan 's powerful army often intervenes but has so far remained neutral . However , a coup can not be completely ruled out . Comment: