---

Former Pakistan Prime Minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan was arrested from the court premises after going to appear in the Islamabad High Court on (Tuesday) 09 May. After the arrest, section 144 was issued in the capital to keep control of the situation. For more than two years Pakistan’s political situation has been crucial and now it has escalated.  

Pakistan is grappling with numerous challenges, including an economy on the verge of collapse, a deeply polarized society, and millions of people still recovering from the devastating floods of the previous year. In addition, terrorist attacks and inflation are on the rise in the country, making it difficult for many to secure food for themselves and their children. The current state of affairs has led to an unprecedented political crisis in Pakistan. The present crisis emerged after Imran Khan was ousted from his post as Prime Minister in April 2022 following a vote of no confidence. Since then, Khan has been slapped with more than 100 cases, including charges of corruption, terrorism, and blasphemy. In response to the numerous court cases against him, Imran Khan has launched a series of rallies and programs across Pakistan to exert pressure on the ruling government.

It is undeniable that Imran Khan enjoys considerable popularity in Pakistan. With one of the major opposition leaders now in jail his supporters have taken to the streets to protest. It is highly likely that there will be a division within the judiciary over Khan's bail, as Pakistan's judiciary wields significant influence in politics. 

Furthermore, the military and intelligence services are often accused of meddling in Pakistan's affairs, with the country's military playing a critical role in politics since its independence. Many analysts believe that Imran Khan was aided by the army in winning the 2018 elections. However, he has now become a vocal critic of the army, alleging that the army officer, DG-C Major General Faisal Naser, was involved in an attempt to assassinate him in Wazirabad. Some political analysts assert that Imran Khan enjoys popularity among lower and middle-ranking army officers and that he seeks to polarize the army by criticizing senior-ranking officers. The military and judiciary have traditionally intervened in politics during times of crisis in Pakistan. With the next national election scheduled to take place this year, it is imperative that political parties come together to resolve their differences through dialogue for the sake of national interest. Otherwise, Pakistan is likely to witness a confrontation between various state institutions. If the political situation does not improve, it will be difficult to hold a free and fair election within the stipulated time. In such an event, it is highly likely that the military will intervene, plunging Pakistan into complete anarchy.

Shahadat Hossain
Research Assistant
Centre for Governance Studies.