Gazi Muzamil
The former Prime minister of Pakistan and cricket superstar after being ousted from his post in April 2022 has evolved as the most powerful and popular politician in the country. He was ousted from power after losing a no-confidence vote in his leadership. Many political observers in the country believe that Khan in power was gradually losing all his influence and political ground until he was replaced by Shabaz Sharif. He accused America and General Bajwa, a former army chief behind his removal.
After being dethroned, Khan has been effective in attracting enormous crowds and gaining public sympathy. He emerged as a new force, with vivid rallies full of catchy songs that, together with his massive social media presence, amplify his firm “Haqeeqi Azadi” and anti-corruption message. His popularity is skyrocketing, which can be attributed to the inefficiency of the PDM government–a coalition of 13 political groups that now governs the country. His popular personality has the charisma to draw people to him. He had evolved from a cricketing national hero to Pakistan’s most generous benefactor to a charming politician. He has the most powerful and extensive social media following in Pakistan. When he speaks, the TRPs go all-time high. Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI), Pakistan’s largest political party, seeks elections in the provincial assembly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in accordance with the constitution, but the PDM government, which denies Khan’s broad public approval, insists on not conducting any elections. Instead, they are filing fake and falsified cases against him and his party. The country’s Supreme Court orders elections to be held on May 14, but the PDM government appears terrified, despite the support of the military establishment, that Khan’s party will sweep them away. A politician shall be and could be defeated through the elections.
In the changing political spectrum of Pakistan, Khan emerges as the most popular and powerful leader. Khan has launched an unprecedented defiance campaign against the military, which has always intervened in Pakistani politics, claiming economic or political instability. He believes that the military in Pakistan is above the law, posing a threat to democracy. No politician or political party in Pakistan’s history has dared to oppose the military leader or openly criticised the army or generals except him. He is outspoken in his criticism of the army’s participation in politics. In public rallies, he names and shames the generals who were behind his murder attempt in November 2022, as well as the army chief who was behind his illegal imprisonment from the courthouse. While being held inside the courthouse for hours on Friday after receiving bail orders, Khan issued the police, while in their custody an ultimatum to take him home or face the consequences. That demonstrates how powerful he is. In his first address to his supporters after his release on Saturday, he challenged the country’s ISPR to stop publishing statements against him, which is unusual in Pakistan, stating, “ISPR sahib, you were not born when I was representing Pakistan at the international level.” Since they have political ambitions, he challenges the military spokesperson to form his political party. Khan has successfully occupied every aspect of Pakistani politics. He managed to supplant the two rival established political dynasties, the Bhutto’s and the Sharif’s that had dominated Pakistan for decades. The polls predict that if elections are held, his party will be elected, and Khan will become Pakistan’s next Prime Minister.
Khan, who has 145 cases registered against him in the last 8 months, including terrorism, sedition, murder, and blasphemy, was dragged away by dozens of paramilitary troops and arrested during a routine court appearance from the Islamabad High Court premises which doing biometrics on May 9th, causing widespread unrest. The Supreme Court ruled that his arrest was illegal. The next day, he was granted bail in all of his charges and went to his Lahore residence, Zaman Park, where he was greeted by thousands of his followers at 3 a.m. The majority of the cases are bogus and politically driven, and the courts dismiss them within days. Khan has assembled the finest legal team in the country.
Khan maintains that he is not anti-army, but rather anti-army engagement in politics. He claims that the Army Chief believes that if he gains power, he will remove him from his position. Another reason the army is not backing Khan is that he is an outspoken opponent of the army’s involvement in politics and has threatened to bring some police, military, and intelligence officers to justice for their alleged involvement in the murder of famous journalist Arshed Sharief and his supporter Zillai Shah. The PDM, which is dominated by two major parties, the Peoples Party and the Muslim League, is concerned that Khan may initiate corruption investigations against them.
Pakistan is currently in upheaval as a result of all of this. The country appears to be devoid of the rule of law. Members of the ruling party are attacking the courts and judges. The dollar has reached an all-time low. Inflation has brought the country to its knees. There are food shortages, and human rights violations are widespread. Journalists are being arrested, and the media is being suppressed. The PTI’s top leadership has been imprisoned. Thousands of Khan followers have been detained. People have little or no trust in the PDM government, and there is growing dissent to the military. If Khan is imprisoned again, disqualified, or his party is barred from running in elections, the devastation would reach new heights. As a result, for the sake of regional peace and stability, as well as for democracy to flourish in Pakistan, Khan must return to power; otherwise, the escalation between him and the military establishment will worsen, potentially resulting in bloodshed, which is not a good sign for peace in the subcontinent.
Gazi Muzamil is a Law Student. He can be reached at gazimuzamil102@gmail.com
