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Imran Khan Criticizes Pakistan’s Military Crackdown on his Political Party
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has spoken out against the powerful military in Pakistan for its harsh crackdown on his political party, the Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI), following violent mob attacks on the military after his arrest last month.
Pakistan has a history of military domination, with four military dictators ruling the country for almost half of its 75-year history. The military has often overshadowed weak civilian governments during periods of democracy, leading to military coups. Army generals have also had control over creating and dismantling political parties.
In an interview with RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal, Khan, a former cricket star turned politician, emphasized the negative impact of the military’s influence on Pakistan’s political landscape. He argued that Pakistan needs to transition from a state dominated by security institutions to a democracy focused on the welfare of its 231 million citizens.
Khan expressed his concerns about the future of Pakistan if it fails to become a real democracy and uphold the rule of law. He warned that the country’s future is at stake and that fundamental changes are necessary for its progress.
Following the protests on May 9, in which military and government buildings were set on fire and fallen soldiers’ monuments were attacked, the military dismissed three senior generals and punished several other officers for their failure to prevent the violent acts. However, Khan vehemently rejected the accusations, claiming that the military is conducting a revenge campaign against the PTI.
Khan also criticized the authorities for detaining over 10,000 PTI supporters, including top leaders, and exerting pressure on them to abandon the party. He highlighted the killing of 25 PTI protesters and claimed that around 50 others were injured by bullet wounds. Khan questioned how unarmed people could rebel against the military, denying the military’s allegations of a mutiny attempt by PTI.
Khan’s relationship with the military has been a long-standing love-hate dynamic. His PTI party faced allegations of being supported by the military in 2011, and rivals accused the military of rigging the 2018 parliamentary elections in Khan’s favor. However, Khan’s failure to address economic crises and deliver promised reforms led the military to withdraw its political support, resulting in Khan accusing former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa of betrayal.
Khan’s departure from power also halted an agreement with the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), as the new government lacked the time and understanding to resolve the issue. The TTP insurgency has gradually expanded, partly due to the return of the Afghan Taliban to power.
While protesters in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province called for increased security against the returning Taliban fighters, Khan blamed the military and the current coalition government called the Pakistan Democratic Movement for mishandling the peace talks with the TTP.
Khan criticized the lack of focus on resolving the TTP issue and accused the government and military establishment of targeting the PTI instead.
Imran Khan’s criticisms shed light on the ongoing power struggle between the military and political parties in Pakistan and highlight the challenges faced by the country in establishing a stable democracy focused on the welfare of its citizens.
