In a dramatic escalation of Pakistan’s political crisis, several top figures from Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party were apprehended outside the parliament just a day after PTI issued a bold two-week ultimatum demanding the release of their jailed former prime minister. The atmosphere around Islamabad has been electric, with tens of thousands of Khan’s supporters flooding the streets on Sunday to call for his release. Initially peaceful, these rallies soon erupted into clashes with the police, fueling further unrest.
The Islamabad police confirmed on Monday the arrest of key PTI figures including President Gohar Khan, lawmaker Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, and advocate Shoaib Shaheen. PTI has denounced these actions as “despicable” and “vicious,” branding the crackdown as an attack on their political movement. The party’s outrage is palpable, with videos circulating on social media showing police officers removing Gohar Khan from his vehicle and escorting him to a police station.
In a strongly worded statement on X (formerly Twitter), PTI criticized the "illegitimate military government" for what they describe as trampling on the constitution and laws of Pakistan. The arrest of these leaders is seen by PTI as part of a broader attempt to silence dissent and undermine the party’s push for Khan’s release.
Imran Khan, who served as Pakistan's prime minister from 2018 to 2022, is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. He faces a slew of legal challenges, primarily related to corruption allegations, which his supporters argue are politically motivated. Despite being acquitted or granted bail in several high-profile cases, Khan remains behind bars due to a new charge involving the illegal sale of state gifts.
The PTI has been vocal in accusing the ruling coalition government of engaging in “unconstitutional and undemocratic” practices to cling to power. This tension boiled over when PTI lawmakers, in their impassioned speeches, issued an ultimatum to the government. They threatened mass marches to Lahore if Khan was not released within two weeks. "These people, who erected the containers, whose police charged you with batons, I want them to listen [that] we are coming to Lahore," Sher Afzal Khan Marwat declared at the rally.
Adding fuel to the fire, Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, the chief minister of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, made a provocative statement to the crowd: “If Imran Khan is not released within two weeks, then we ourselves will have him released.” Authorities have indicated that Gandapur could face legal repercussions for this ultimatum and for allegedly inciting violence.
Zulfi Bukhari, Khan’s spokesperson, condemned the arrest of PTI leaders as a “knee-jerk reaction” to the large-scale public demonstrations. He revealed that Gandapur was out of contact for over six hours after being reportedly picked up by the police but has since returned to Peshawar. Bukhari accused the government of arresting party leaders simply because they took a strong stand demanding Khan’s release.
The political rift between Khan’s PTI and the current Shehbaz Sharif government has deepened since Khan’s ouster through a no-confidence motion. Khan, a former cricket star turned politician, alleged that his removal was orchestrated by Pakistan’s powerful military with the backing of the US—a claim that both the military and the US have denied.
Adding to the political turmoil, PTI candidates were barred from contesting the national election in February, which many believe was rigged. Although PTI-aligned candidates ran independently and secured a majority of seats, they fell short of forming the government.
In a significant legislative move, Pakistan’s parliament recently passed the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024, a law that imposes strict regulations on public gatherings in Islamabad. The bill, fast-tracked through the Senate and enacted in less than a week, has been criticized as “draconian” and an attempt to suppress dissent. Amnesty International has condemned the law, arguing that it aims to criminalize peaceful protests and stifle freedom of expression.
Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for South Asia, criticized the Pakistani government’s swift passage of the bill. “Rather than aligning the existing legal framework with international human rights standards, the Government of Pakistan has expedited the introduction of this new bill,” Pant said. “The law broadens the grounds on which assemblies can be restricted or banned and significantly increases the penalties for participating in an ‘unlawful assembly’ from six months to three years imprisonment.”
As Pakistan navigates these turbulent waters, the stakes for both PTI and the ruling government remain high. With the looming threat of further public unrest and a contentious legal landscape, the nation stands on a knife-edge. The unfolding political drama in Pakistan reflects broader issues of governance, dissent, and democratic integrity, making it a critical moment to watch in global politics.
The Independent, known for its independent and progressive journalism, continues to monitor this developing situation closely, providing insights and analysis for a global audience committed to understanding and advocating for change.
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