The arrest and release of former Pakistani PM Imran Khan

Pakistan is stuck in a deep economic crisis. Now the resurgence of terrorist attacks, the dramatic arrest of former PM Imran Khan from a court complex, and the subsequent nationwide riots have plunged the country into complete chaos. Although the Supreme Court has ordered the release of his arrest on illegal grounds, the situation in the country is still critical. The big fear is that if the situation worsens, the army may be ready to seize power. Imran was detained in connection with a land scam in which he and his wife were involved.

Seventy-year-old Khan was a cricketer-turned-politician who is now seen as the country's most popular politician. Imran was arrested by Pakistani Rangers from the Islamabad High Court House, and his lawyers and security personnel were beaten and driven away. The provocative move is seen not by Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif’s government but by the Pakistan Army as Imran is on a collision course with the powerful military establishment. Imran's supporters stormed the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the corps commander's residence in Lahore in a spontaneous outburst of public anger. Massive protests on major roads, including entry and exit spots, have almost cut Lahore off from the rest of the country.

Imran's supporters are committing heavy violence in different parts of the country. In a pre-recorded video, Imran claimed that fundamental rights and democracy have been buried in Pakistan. This is also true and correct because the power of governance in Pakistan is not in the hands of the Prime Minister, the President, or the Parliament as in a democracy; it is in the hands of the army. The elected prime minister and ministers in Pakistan are just puppets of the army. The army runs the country by electing the prime minister for its own interests, and when the leaders go against their orders, they are killed, hanged, or put behind bars after making a case against them. Despite Imran's release, if the situation becomes uncontrollable, martial law will be imposed. It is also true that every action taken by the present government since coming to power has proved that the so-called Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), which claims to be the champion of democracy in Pakistan, never had any interest in protecting democracy. The PDM members forming the current coalition government have now done all that work. The actions for which they used to criticize the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and Imran Khan are now being carried out by themselves.

The Pakistani government is now in league with the military establishment, targeting its political opponents with vague 'sedition laws', 'ridiculous charges' or 'corrupt practices'. These are the same actions that he had earlier strongly criticized when such allegations were made to target former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The arrest warrant issued against Imran Khan is proof of this. This is another absurd attempt to stop Imran Khan from returning to power. The plan is to arrest opposition politicians, suppress their voices, ban inappropriate media networks, target critical journalists, and rig elections ahead of elections later this year. The Shahbaz Sharif government wants to weaken its political opponents by using these tactics. Pakistan has politicians and their staunch supporters who sell their souls to the devil for power. PDM supporters who once claimed to be pro-democracy now have no problem imprisoning their political opponents to retain power.

The situation is almost the same on both sides of the spectrum. None of these politicians, political parties, or most of their supporters really care about preserving the democratic system in Pakistan.

However, the treatment by the military establishment will certainly tarnish Imran's image as a fighter for democracy. The latest developments have almost dashed hopes of breaking the current political deadlock through any talks. Imran's arrest has only plunged the government and the military establishment deeper into the conflict, and this has created even greater distrust and resentment among the people. After being ousted as prime minister in a no-confidence vote in April last year, Imran has earned the status of a people's hero and has been openly indicting senior military officials on various charges.

Demanding early general elections, Imran was holding rallies against the army and the Shahbaz Sharif government that replaced Imran's regime. If all goes according to plan, Imran will almost certainly be convicted of one or more of the several charges brought against him and barred from running for the PM's office. If postponing the elections and silencing the public would only increase the rift between the people and the government, which might have disastrous consequences for Pakistan and its people.

Surjit Singh Flora is a veteran journalist and freelance writer based in Brampton Canada

The arrest and release of former Pakistani PM Imran Khan

Pakistan is stuck in a deep economic crisis. Now the resurgence of terrorist attacks, the dramatic arrest of former PM Imran Khan from a court complex, and the subsequent nationwide riots have plunged the country into complete chaos. Although the Supreme Court has ordered the release of his arrest on illegal grounds, the situation in the country is still critical. The big fear is that if the situation worsens, the army may be ready to seize power. Imran was detained in connection with a land scam in which he and his wife were involved.

Seventy-year-old Khan was a cricketer-turned-politician who is now seen as the country's most popular politician. Imran was arrested by Pakistani Rangers from the Islamabad High Court House, and his lawyers and security personnel were beaten and driven away. The provocative move is seen not by Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif’s government but by the Pakistan Army as Imran is on a collision course with the powerful military establishment. Imran's supporters stormed the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the corps commander's residence in Lahore in a spontaneous outburst of public anger. Massive protests on major roads, including entry and exit spots, have almost cut Lahore off from the rest of the country.

Imran's supporters are committing heavy violence in different parts of the country. In a pre-recorded video, Imran claimed that fundamental rights and democracy have been buried in Pakistan. This is also true and correct because the power of governance in Pakistan is not in the hands of the Prime Minister, the President, or the Parliament as in a democracy; it is in the hands of the army. The elected prime minister and ministers in Pakistan are just puppets of the army. The army runs the country by electing the prime minister for its own interests, and when the leaders go against their orders, they are killed, hanged, or put behind bars after making a case against them. Despite Imran's release, if the situation becomes uncontrollable, martial law will be imposed. It is also true that every action taken by the present government since coming to power has proved that the so-called Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), which claims to be the champion of democracy in Pakistan, never had any interest in protecting democracy. The PDM members forming the current coalition government have now done all that work. The actions for which they used to criticize the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and Imran Khan are now being carried out by themselves.

The Pakistani government is now in league with the military establishment, targeting its political opponents with vague 'sedition laws', 'ridiculous charges' or 'corrupt practices'. These are the same actions that he had earlier strongly criticized when such allegations were made to target former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The arrest warrant issued against Imran Khan is proof of this. This is another absurd attempt to stop Imran Khan from returning to power. The plan is to arrest opposition politicians, suppress their voices, ban inappropriate media networks, target critical journalists, and rig elections ahead of elections later this year. The Shahbaz Sharif government wants to weaken its political opponents by using these tactics. Pakistan has politicians and their staunch supporters who sell their souls to the devil for power. PDM supporters who once claimed to be pro-democracy now have no problem imprisoning their political opponents to retain power.

The situation is almost the same on both sides of the spectrum. None of these politicians, political parties, or most of their supporters really care about preserving the democratic system in Pakistan.

However, the treatment by the military establishment will certainly tarnish Imran's image as a fighter for democracy. The latest developments have almost dashed hopes of breaking the current political deadlock through any talks. Imran's arrest has only plunged the government and the military establishment deeper into the conflict, and this has created even greater distrust and resentment among the people. After being ousted as prime minister in a no-confidence vote in April last year, Imran has earned the status of a people's hero and has been openly indicting senior military officials on various charges.

Demanding early general elections, Imran was holding rallies against the army and the Shahbaz Sharif government that replaced Imran's regime. If all goes according to plan, Imran will almost certainly be convicted of one or more of the several charges brought against him and barred from running for the PM's office. If postponing the elections and silencing the public would only increase the rift between the people and the government, which might have disastrous consequences for Pakistan and its people.

Surjit Singh Flora is a veteran journalist and freelance writer based in Brampton Canada