Apparently, no good news from Pakistan. The economic crisis is still prevailing, followed by heavy spells of rain and flood. It is not a full stop in this saga, due to a clash between the government and leadership of Pakistan Tehreek –e- Insaf (PTI) political situation is getting worse in the country.
The story begins with the arrest of Imran Khan’s chief staff officer Mr. Shahbaz Gill on charges of sedition and inciting the public against the state institutions. On August 9, in a joint press conference, the federal minister for information and broadcasting Ms. Maryam Aurangzaib, and the Federal Interior Minister Mr. Rana Sana Ullah told the media that Shahbaz Gill’s comments were against state institutions and armed forces of Pakistan. The Interior Minister blamed that script of the comments was prepared under the supervision of PTI Chairman Imran Khan. “Mr. Gill’s ‘hateful and seditious’ remarks were part of a conspiracy involving a local private news channel. Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued a show cause notice to said private TV Channel. A first information report (FIR) had been registered against the PTI leader on behalf of the state”, the Federal Interior Minister added during the press conference. While a spokesman of Islamabad police confirmed that Mr. Gill, was detained on charges of inciting people against state institutions.
On August 20, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf addressed his party workers at F-9 park Islamabad to show solidarity with his abducted close aide Shahbaz Gill, where Imran Khan heavily criticized the capital police and district administration. Imran Khan said, “Shehbaz Gill was tortured for 2 days, Inspector General Police (IG) Islamabad and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) will not be spared, we will file a case against them, Magistrate, you will also be ready, we will file a case against you. At present, terror is being spread among people in Pakistan, masses are intimidated into enslavement. If violence and torture can happen to Shahbaz Gill, it can happen to anyone in the country. This is a decisive moment for all of us”.
The sitting government, allied parties of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), and some segments of society believe that Imran Khan’s address was provoking and threatening to state organs including the judiciary.
After this address, a case was registered against former Prime Minister Imran Khan under the Anti-Terrorism Act in Islamabad for threatening the top officers of the Islamabad police and the judiciary. According to the details of the First Investigation Report (FIR), “In the F-9 park public address, Imran Khan threatened the female additional sessions judge and top brass of police, the purpose of his speech was to terrorize the police authorities and the judiciary. Moreover, Imran Khan’s speech has spread anxiety, unrest, and terror among the people of Pakistan”.
According to the spokesman of the capital police “threatening the female additional and session judge (Magistrate) and other police officers is an act against the state institutions. Action will be taken against those who affect the reputation of the Islamabad Police as an institution and create controversy”.
Mr. Rana Sana Ullah, the Federal Interior Minister, in a press briefing said that those who threaten the female magistrate, Inspector General (IG), and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Islamabad Police will face the law. “The whole world watched Imran Khan’s threat live, now get ready to face the music. He will have to respond to the law for his interference in governmental matters, and threats, if the law is not followed, Pakistan will become a jungle, they can’t insult the martyrs, incite rebellion and then stand in the capital and challenge the writ of the state. This attitude can lead to the encouragement of extremists and terrorists in the country, action is necessary”, Interior Minister added.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned the live broadcast of the address of Chairman Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan. In the statement released by PEMRA, it is said, “Imran Khan is constantly making baseless accusations against institutions and spreading hatred in his speeches. He is disturbing public peace in his speeches which is a violation of article 19 of the constitution and PEMRA laws. Now only recorded speeches of Imran Khan can be broadcast with effective monitoring and editorial control. Action will be taken against media organizations for any violation of PEMRA guidelines”.
During an interview with EAT News, ex-federal minister Mr. Fawad Chaudhry said that the case against Imran Khan is based on political victimization; it is part of a “series of political retribution”, that the present PML-N regime believes in. “It is the naked use of terrorism laws against political opponents. Imran Khan was booked in a matter where he just criticized the magistrate, IG, and DIG Islamabad Police for not taking notice of the torture of his close aide and his chief of staff Shahbaz Gill. Mr. Gill was abducted and he was stripped naked. The magistrate instead of taking notice of this event handed over him to the police for a remand. Imran Khan in a public gathering said we will file a case against the magistrate. On this statement, he was booked in a terrorism case. Imran Khan is very popular in Pakistan if he is arrested there would be turmoil in the country. The current government is scared of holding fresh elections because they are afraid of his popularity”.
Islamabad High Court (IHC) took notice of Imran Khan’s speech at F-9 park and issued him a show-cause notice. This show-cause notice was issued by a 3-members bench of the Islamabad High Court. The PTI chief was summoned on August 31 in contempt proceedings for passing controversial remarks against a female magistrate.
The highly divided and tense situation of Pakistan is being discussed outside the country as well and this case is also being discussed on the global level. The spokesperson of the Secretary-General of the United Nations said that Antonio Guterres is aware of the case against Imran Khan on charges of terrorism. He has emphasized that the law should be followed impartially in this regard. “Antonio Guterres believes that there is a need for a diligent, independent, and fair legal process in this matter,” the spokesman told media in the UN office. The spokesperson added that the Secretary-General called for de-escalation and respect for the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental civil liberties. Apart from this, the spokesperson of the US State Department, Ned Price, said that the US is also aware of the allegations against Imran Khan, but this is an internal matter of Pakistan. He said that America supports a peaceful democratic, constitutional and legal process in Pakistan.
This anti-terrorism case against Imran Khan worked as fuel to the fire; already ongoing political tension has increased up to the next level in the country. PTI activists are ready to protest due to the fear of Imran Khan’s possible arrest.
A large number of PTI workers are present outside Imran Khan’s residence Bani Gala for a couple of days to safeguard him against any arrest. These activists reached Bani Gala when they came to know about the FIR registered against Imran Khan. Protesters say the government cannot apprehend Imran Khan, if they do, a war will start in the whole of Pakistan. There is a wave of anger among the PTI workers outside Imran Khan’s house.
In Pakistan at present, all institutions including the bureaucracy are suffering from division, and the whole society seems to be separated. There is a possibility that sooner or later Imran Khan could be arrested by law enforcement agencies. Islamabad police took back their security from Imran Khan. If he is arrested, PTI will hold a series of countrywide protests, which could lead to violent demonstrations.
Political analysts are saying Pakistan is heading towards its tripping point from the reverse process might be impossible. There is chaos and confusion; if the political situation won’t be tackled wisely, there is a chance that society will be headed towards more intolerance and civil war.
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