Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s PTI party is carrying out violent protests on the streets of Pakistan. Even the army has been deployed in the capital, which has received orders to act in an extreme manner. The party’s demonstration began at the request of its leader, who is in jail. Meanwhile, many questions arise, such as how he can speak directly to his followers while in custody and what the latest conflict is.
Why is Khan in jail?
Imran Khan was sentenced to a long term in the Toshakhana case, a few months before Pakistan’s general elections. He was accused of quietly selling gifts received from his position as Prime Minister without declaring them in tax, which is against the rules. In addition, there are currently about 150 cases pending against him, including the attack on military bases. This case of the May attacks is before the Pakistan Military Court. According to eyewitnesses, Imran was the perpetrator of this attack.
The issue of non-Islamic marriage was also very serious, for which he was punished, while in 2022 he was removed from office through a motion of no confidence.
What is happening now?
After a long time, thousands of people have suddenly taken to the streets in support of Imran, who do not fear even the army or the police. Even the entire Islamabad has become a cantonment. This protest started when a very important delegation from Belarus came to visit Pakistan. Here it is worth thinking about how despite being in prison, Imran’s voice is adding different colors to Pakistan’s political landscape.
How did it start?
According to the Pakistani media Dawn, Khan appealed to his followers to attend the final call on November 13. He asked his followers to protest against the dictatorship and unjust arrests. Apart from demanding the release of all party leaders, including himself, Khan also appealed to workers to apply pressure and resign from the current government. According to the party, there was manipulation in the elections held at the beginning of the year. It is believed that the leadership of the party has now passed into the hands of his wife Bushra Bibi. He was also sent to prison along with Khan in January, but was granted bail in late October.
What is the government doing?
Seeing the anger of the protesters, the government protected most of the roads connecting Islamabad to other cities. Paramilitary personnel are deployed everywhere with anti-riot equipment and weapons. The other side is equally powerful. In a Firstpost report, citing the BBC, it was said that the protesters are not without a leader, but Khan’s own wife, Bushra Bibi, is their face.
What can happen; what can be done
It is believed that the fire of protest will only stop after some important decision is reached, such as Khan’s release. The second demand of the protesters is the resignation of the government. Although the chances of this happening are less, but looking at the history of Pakistan, nothing is predictable. From Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto also spent time in prison, but this did not reduce their charisma and appeal to the public, it increased it. After liberation, they all returned to politics.
The common thing among these leaders who came back strong after going to jail was that sooner or later they all got the support of the army. There he could not survive in politics without the army. Currently, Pak army is with the current power i.e. against Imran Khan and his party. While the army played an important role in Khan becoming prime minister. Now, if the army switches sides again, which is nothing new in Pakistani politics, then the days of Khan may return. Today, despite the presence of the army, the way people are fearlessly protesting points towards some change somewhere.
Many coups have taken place in Pakistan before because of the army.
Almost a decade after independence, the then President Iskander Mirza himself handed over the leadership to General Ayub Khan. Then the first martial law was implemented in the country, which lasted about 10 years. This was the first time that the Army declared itself the guardian of power.
– In 1977, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was accused of electoral fraud, after which protests began. He was also accused of murdering his political competitors. He was sentenced to death and command passed to General Zia ul Haq.
– At the end of the nineties the conflict between Nawaz Sharif and General Pervez Musharraf worsened. Prime Minister Sharif tried to remove Musharraf from the position of army chief, but things changed. Musharraf took power.
– Last year the army intervened in a less formal way. Amid the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan’s government, the army also distanced itself and supported the new government.
