Pakistan Can’t Afford Another Political Crisis
Going after ousted ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan on flimsy charges will perpetuate the cycle of revenge at best. At worst, a showdown could destabilize the country’s military.
Khan thrives on confrontation.
Photographer: Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images
In Pakistani politics, nothing gets done by halves. A few weeks ago, one of ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s former cabinet ministers, Shahbaz Gill, warned lower-ranking military officers against following “illegal orders” from their superiors. The remarks were taken as an attempt to divide the country’s all-powerful army and Gill was promptly arrested.
This, as well as Gill’s subsequent claims about his treatment in prison, infuriated Khan, who last week warned various policemen and judges they would face consequences for their involvement in the case. An Islamabad magistrate complained that Khan’s statements counted as threats and the police registered a case against him under draconian anti-terror laws. He faces hearings on those and possible contempt of court charges next week.