2023-05-13 21:05:38
In addition, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced tough measures once morest Khan supporters who had been involved in the violent protests. Tensions that have been going on for months escalated last week following Khan was arrested on corruption charges on Tuesday. According to the Ministry of the Interior, at least eight people were killed and 300 injured in the following street battles. At least 2,800 people were arrested. The protests were fueled by the consequences of Pakistan’s severe economic crisis.
Ex-Prime Minister Khan has to answer in court in around 100 cases. Observers assume that the procedure is politically motivated. If convicted, he might be banned from political office following the parliamentary elections scheduled for autumn. On Friday, Khan was surprisingly released from prison under tight security for two weeks.
Khan: Impermissible military interference
In a speech on Saturday, Khan called on his supporters to hold new protests on Sunday. Nationwide, his supporters should protest in their streets and villages, Khan announced via YouTube. From Wednesday he wants to resume his campaign for immediate new elections. The ex-prime minister also accused the military of improper interference in politics: “No one can use force to eliminate a political party and put it in prison.”
According to the newspaper Dawn, his speech was not broadcast on Pakistani television, although a court recently lifted a broadcast ban on his speeches. Khan has been fighting for a political comeback for almost a year and has once more mobilized tens of thousands of supporters.
The military has played a key role in politics since Pakistan’s founding 75 years ago and has retained power, at least indirectly through military-backed candidates, even in civilian governments. Open criticism of the military is an exception in Pakistan.
Anti-terrorist proceedings once morest demonstrators announced
Prime Minister Sharif, meanwhile, threatened those who took part in the unrest. Those responsible for “the shameful incidents of arson, looting, sabotage and damage to public and private property” are to be arrested within 72 hours. He announced anti-terror trials in court for these people.
An Internet ban was imposed for several days following the riots. After a brief suspension on Friday, according to Archyde.com, there were renewed reports on Saturday regarding blocked Facebook, YouTube and Twitter access.
However, if the government cracks down on the demonstrators too harshly, it might damage popular support for the military. Many Pakistanis still see the military as a moderating force, helping to keep corrupt political dynasties in check. But since Khan’s ouster from power by parliament and Khan’s criticism of the military, their popularity has fallen sharply.
Khan deposed by vote of no confidence
Former cricket star Khan came to power in the 2018 general election amid allegations that the powerful military rigged the vote in his favour. Despite his great popularity, the ex-prime minister disappointed during his tenure. Even under Khan, the opposition at the time was paralyzed with accusations. During his reign, Khan’s relationship with the military deteriorated. He was finally overthrown by a vote of no confidence in April 2022.
Khan continued to criticize the military following leaving politics. For example, he accused a senior general in Pakistan’s military intelligence agency of being behind a shootout in which he was injured in November. And he had ignored court dates in a number of corruption cases brought once morest him, all but challenging the authorities to arrest him. His supporters did the same, taking to social media to denigrate the military and accuse it of undermining democracy.
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