In the aftermath of the brief arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, the country has witnessed days of street protests, with demonstrators expressing anger towards the influential military, which they perceive as orchestrating Khan’s downfall.
The Islamabad government has labeled the violence as “anti-state,” leading to widespread arrests and the revival of army courts to try civilians accused of targeting government and military installations.
Journalists, lawyers, and activists associated with Khan’s PTI party have reported campaigns of intimidation and influence, which they attribute to the “establishment,” a term commonly used to refer to the military’s support of the civilian government.
Analyst Hasan Askari stated, “They want to make it clear to Imran Khan that he can’t fight with the establishment,” highlighting a broader effort to assert control over politicians through various forms of pressure.
Despite repeated requests for comment, the military’s media wing has not responded to inquiries.
Since his ousting last year in a parliamentary no-confidence vote, Khan has openly criticized the military, which has long been regarded as the key powerbrokers in Pakistan and widely believed to have supported Khan’s rise to power in 2018.
Khan has been entangled in numerous legal cases, which he claims are fabricated to suppress the PTI and prevent him from participating in the upcoming elections scheduled for this autumn.
Following the protests, senior PTI leaders were repeatedly arrested and released on allegations of inciting violence. Some of Khan’s closest aides, in press conferences after their release, denounced the violence and announced their separation from Khan.
Additionally, thousands of PTI supporters have been arrested under the anti-terrorism act.
A PTI supporter in Lahore, whose son was peacefully protesting, expressed concern over his arrest, stating that he had been beaten and received threatening calls warning him of surveillance.
Amnesty International has criticized the “overly broad and vague anti-terrorism provisions” being utilized, causing fear among Khan’s supporters due to the arbitrary arrests of opposition leaders.
Media censorship has also intensified, with journalists in Karachi reporting receiving anonymous messages from the army public relations wing tarnishing Khan’s reputation. Journalists admitted to practicing self-censorship to avoid complications.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Amnesty International have reported the disappearance of prominent pro-PTI reporter Imran Riaz Khan after being abducted by military intelligence agencies.
The media landscape has been flooded with pro-army content since Khan’s arrest, including the announcement of a hastily organized “Martyrs’ Day,” where children symbolically paid tribute to slain soldiers, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif portrayed Khan as a disruptor of law and order.
Experts suggest that the military is attempting a public relations campaign to counter Khan’s anti-army narratives, which have significantly impacted the military’s popularity and credibility.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif openly criticized the Supreme Court after they ruled Khan’s arrest on corruption charges illegal and ordered his release, referring to it as a “funeral of justice.”
Supreme Court barrister Gohar Ali Khan, a member of Khan’s legal team, stated that the judiciary is facing extraordinary circumstances due to police behavior, delaying tactics, and legal complications deliberately created by the authorities.
The government has approved the use of military courts to prosecute protesters accused of damaging military or state buildings during the riots. This power was last employed to try civilians suspected of involvement in militant activities.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attributed the consequences of the situation to Khan’s actions, expressing the belief that establishing the rule of law and political stability would be possible through due process.