solisbet Imran Khan Vs The Pakistan 'Establishment': A Timeline

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan | Photo: PTI Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan | Photo: PTI

Pakistan's opposition party led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, called off its protest in Islamabad on 27 November. This followed an overnight government crackdown that resulted in the arrest of hundreds of its supporters after two days of violent demonstrations.

Supporters of Imran Khan had waged a pitched battle with the police in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, during a “final call” demonstration that ended with at least six dead and dozens injured. The Pakistani Army was called in with orders to shoot on sight; yet protestors gathered at Zero Point in Islamabad and moved toward D-Chowk regardless. Roads leading into the capital were blocked to stop Khan’s supporters — including members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party — from reaching the city and gathering near the parliament.

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The protestors were demanding the release of their leader Imran Khan, along with a rollback of constitutional changes which they alleged had diluted judicial independence, and against the previous elections, which they claimed were rigged in favour of the ruling parties, PMLN and PPP.

Imran Khan had alleged the Pakistani military and the current administration were collaborating to remove his party’s political clout. Khan was ousted from power in 2022 after a no-confidence vote. The current government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has denied these charges.

Here is a quick look at the timeline of events since Imran Khan first came to power:

2018: Imran Khan Comes to Power

The PTI party led by Imran Khan won the general elections in August 2018 with a majority in the National Assembly, and formed the government. Khan’s win was viewed as a departure from Pakistan’s traditional political dynasties, notably the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) of Nawaz Sharif and the Bhutto-Zardari led Pakistan People's Party (PPP). His anti-corruption campaign and pledges of economic reform struck the right note with many voters. However, Khan’s victory was widely seen as having been facilitated by the military, which has long held substantial sway over politics in Pakistan.

Khan’s government faced many challenges, such as surging inflation and an ailing economy. Its relationship with both the opposition and the military became increasingly strained. The tensions between Khan and the military culminated in his ouster in 2022.

2022: The Ouster Of Imran Khan

In April 2022, a no-confidence vote in Pakistan’s parliament ousted Imran Khan from power, making him the first prime minister in the country’s history to be dismissed in this way. Opposition parties pushed for the vote, accusing Khan of mismanaging the economy, failing to control inflation, and alienating political allies. However, Khan himself claimed that his removal had been orchestrated by the military, which he had once considered an ally, and foreign powers, particularly the United States, who were displeased with his foreign policy stance.

The vote led to widespread protests by PTI supporters, who accused both the military and opposition of conspiring against their leader. These protests turned violent in many locations, and the political environment became increasingly unstable. Khan’s ouster marked a significant turning point in Pakistan’s political trajectory, with the military playing a key role in the removal of a democratically elected leader.

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2023: The Arrest of Imran Khan

In August 2023, Imran Khan was sentenced to prison after being convicted for corruption in the Toshakhana case. The case, lodged in August 2022 by members of the Pakistan Democratic Movement, alleges that Khan did not declare details of the Toshakhana gifts in the annual asset declarations filed with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The ECP initiated an inquiry, heard the parties' arguments, and on Oct 21, 2022, issued its final judgment ruling that Khan had made incorrect statements and declarations about his assets and liabilities for the year 2020-21.

Protests broke out around the country as demonstrators demanded his release and denounced the purported weaponisation of the legal system to remove him from the political scene. The PTI has said the charges are politically motivated.solisbet