Bajwa overpowering waning PM Imran as Pak Army unofficially tightens grip on Naya Pakistan

Pakistan Army has ufficially tightened its grip on country as Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's popularity falls due to ecomic distress, high consumer prices, as well as corruption investigation of his close aides. According to Pakistan media reports, as military is most powerful institution in country, an increasing number of retired and current military officials have been appointed in key positions, who are assisting government's COVID-19 pandemic response. 

Recently, retired lieutenant general Asim Saleem Bajwa was appointed as Khan's communication visor and to look after implementation of about $60 billion in Pakistan investments as part of China's Belt-and-Ro Initiative. civilian government visors including Member of Naya Pakistan Housing Program taskforce-- Zaighan Rizvi have also supported military involvement. Meanwhile, two army officers were appointed last month. 

Re: Pakistan reports more than 100 coronavirus deaths in single day, cases cross 108,000

COVID-19 in Pakistan and ecomic distress 

On Tuesday, Pakistan, for first time recorded more than 100 deaths in a single day due to COVID-19 which has infected over 108,000 people in country. According to Ministry of National Health Services, 105 deaths were reported on Monday as total number of fatalities reached 2,172 in country. It also showed that at least 35,018 patients have fully recovered from virus. 

Re: Pakistan reports over 100 COVID-19 deaths; WHO cautions against lifting restrictions

Citing COVID-19 crisis, World Bank estimates on Wednesday revealed that Pakistan's ecomy would perform even worse than it was estimated earlier. Reportedly, country's ecomy was likely to go into red zone this fiscal year. Furr, ecomy may t even recover by next year, stated report. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan has rejected demand me by International Monetary Fund (IMF) to freeze salaries of government employees. According to international reports, sources close to matter informed that IMF urged Pakistan for spending cuts in next budget during talks via video conferencing. However, Islamab stated that it cant cut salaries of government employees as it is necessary to protect government employees and pensioners from inflation.

Re: Pakistan squirms at IMF's demand to cut salaries of govt employees; cites inflation

Re: Death toll from Pakistan building collapse rises to 22