How Imran Khan's populism has divided Pakistan and put it on a knife's edge
Retrieved on:
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Pakistan Muslim League (N), Arrest, Violence, Court of cassation, Politics, Inter-Services Intelligence, Intelligence, Anger, High court, Government, Stoke, Violent Reaction, Toshakhana, Islamabad High Court, Police, Democratic Alliance, City, Muslim League, Corruption, Social media, Mail, Tea, Drug, Film industry
Pakistan’s political crisis has worsened significantly since Khan lost a no-confidence motion in parliament and was ousted from power last April.
Key Points:
- Pakistan’s political crisis has worsened significantly since Khan lost a no-confidence motion in parliament and was ousted from power last April.
- Since then, Khan’s populist rhetoric has stoked divisions in society, leading to extreme polarisation and the violent reactions we’ve seen this week.
Khan takes on the military
- Khan wanted the then-chief of the agency, General Faiz Hameed, to continue in the role, while the military wanted someone else.
- The military establishment issued a statement accusing Khan of fabricating the allegations.
- Read more:
Shooting of Imran Khan takes Pakistan into dangerous political waters
Graft allegations from the new government
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What's the dispute between Imran Khan and the Pakistan government about? - In the so-called “Toshakhana case”, the government accused Khan and his wife of corruption for illegally keeping gifts given to them by other countries.
- The case refers to the Toshakhana department in the government responsible for storing expensive gifts given to public officials.
- Although the government has tightly controlled the mainstream media, Khan’s party has reached its supporters through social media to stoke dissent.
Khan’s arrest sparks violence
- Khan’s lawyers challenged the legality of the arrest, but the High Court upheld it.
- Within hours of the arrest, party workers and supporters gathered in many major cities and began openly attacking key military buildings.
- It is very likely the protests will continue – and with that, increasing levels of violence – until Khan is released.