Abstract: After being in politics for two decades, Imran Khan’s career witnessed a dramatic rise during 2016-17. After the 2017 elections, he became the Prime Minister; his party, the PTI, took control of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the important Punjab province, replacing the PML-N. In 2022, he lost the majority in the Parliament. The Pakistan Democratic Movement (led by the PML-N and the PPP), replaced Imran Khan's government at the federal level. Ever since, there has been unsavoury political manoeuvring between the PML-N and the PTI due to the PDM’s attempt to claim the Punjab province. There is a significant disagreement between the PTI and the government regarding the timing of the upcoming election; the Parliament and the judiciary are also divided over this issue.
When Imran Khan was arrested in a bribery case in May 2023, the PTI cadres went on a rampage. Military installations were targeted, following which there has been a massive clampdown. The government has agreed to military courts to prosecute the PTI cadres engaged in violence. Leaders belonging to the PTI have started leaving the party, distancing themselves from Imran Khan. Nawaz Sharif and the PML-N faced a similar situation earlier.
How to comprehend the recent developments and understand the present political turmoil? Are there structural factors contributing to the country's political instability? Will the present turmoil persist in Pakistan?
About the speaker: Prof D Suba Chandran is Dean, School of Conflict and Security Studies. He coordinates the NIAS Pakistan Reader, an area studies initiative within the School. He teaches an online course on Contemporary Pakistan, and his team publishes a daily e-alert – Pakistan Reader Evening Brief @ 1600 hrs.