The Guardian view on Pakistan's army: go back to the barracks

The standoff between Imran Khan, Pakistan's former prime minister, and the country's military is yet another sign that the political system created by the army is inherently unstable. Since independence, Pakistan's generals have become ever more involved in running the country - and its civilian leaders ever more dependent on their backing. None of the nation's 31 prime ministers has completed a full five"‘year tenure. Politicians survive in office only if they do as they are told. Trying to regain power against the army's wishes is a dangerous business. Mr Khan is pushing ahead regardless. With the economy in a…