Enmity with Khan undermines Pakistan’s interests

Pakistan has been plunged into a tense political situation. Many reports indicate that Pakistan’s parliament late today in a closed door session will discuss the situation and will consider outlawing the political party led by the country’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In the wake of the recent statement and severe clashes between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), former ruling party and law enforcers over deposed Khan’s arrest fiasco, now the situation has further worsen when police announced to launch fresh crackdown on all those who are providing financial support to the party. The federal police have already arrested hundreds of PTI supporters since last week.

Between that, former US Special Representativefor Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad on Wednesday once again came forward with some advice to the Pakistan government about Imran Khan and apparently stands in his support.

Imran Khan “Enemy No 1”

In a series of tweets, Khalilzad said that “the government appears to have decided to set up Imran Khan as Enemy No 1 of the state.”

He also claimed that “there are indications that Pakistan’s parliament, which is controlled by the governing coalition, might well ask the Supreme Court to disqualify Imran Khan from running for election and even prohibit PTI in the next few days.”

“Such steps will only deepen Pakistan’s triple crises: political, economic, and security. Already, some countries have suspended planned investments,” Khalilzad added.

Warning over political polarization and violence that is likely to be increased, Khalilzad said that the “IMF support remains doubtful. “If the steps mentioned take place, international support for Pakistan will decline further.”

At the end of his tweet, Khalilzad hoped that the Pakistani political leaders would rise above destructive petty politics that undermine the national interest. “If not, I hope the Supreme Court says no to being used in games that undermine the nation’s interests. I am becoming increasingly concerned about Pakistan.”

Khan’s possible detention and disqualification

Despite his outstanding popularity amongst youngsters the deposed Prime Minister Imran Khan made his position controversial by avoiding his appearance before courts, getting undue support from judges and certain elements within military establishment and now known US diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad. “Though Imran Khan is surrounded by thousands of his supporters in his legal battle in courts, he is losing support of media and politico-constitutional analysts as well,” Shamim Shaid, a Pakistan political expert told Harici.

Khan while governing the country from August 2018 till April 2022 last had allowed but even encouraged NAB, FIA, Police and other law enforcing agencies for disgracing/insulting the opposition parties leaders and representatives.

“Similarly he gives free hands to his aides and supporters for plundering national exchequer and resources, misusing their offices and pleasing nears and dears by adopting nepotism based policies,” Shaid believes.

Likewise, Mr Khan also made controversial the civil military establishment. “At the same time he had also developed grouping within the judiciary and grabbed support of several judges who were occupants of important offices.”

Pakistani police arrested 316 PTI supporters for allegedly attacking police officers and causing chaos outside the Federal Judicial Complex on March 18.

Through one or the other ways, Mr. Khan had made some blunders like “selling out foreign gifts, making derogatory remarks against Army Chief and army like institutions.”Now besides others cases under Article 6 of National Constitution are also registered against him.

Though almost cases registered or trailed against him in courts but his supporters considered it part of victimization on political grounds. On such grounds only his supporters are considering Khan’s arrest and disqualification illegal, unconstitutional and unethical.

Situation in Pakistan quite alarming

We can’t ignore the fact that Pakistan’s political landscape is not heading in a good direction at the moment, said a Pakistani political pundit.

“As a Pakistani citizen, the current political dilemma is really cornering, and given that our country’s financial situation is already fragile,” he told Harici on condition of anonymity.

No Pakistani supports a corrupt politician, he said, but added that the current government failed to pursue Khan’s case peacefully, rather it reacted violently and sent as many forces as it can to arrest a former Prime Minister.

“I am not okay with the statement coming from Khalilzad, but at the same time it would be unwise to say that the US has no stake in Pakistan’s internal affairs,” the expert said.

The Khan case is not only an internal issue, he said, adding that the world, especially the US, is concerned and at least doesn’t want any political conflict in Pakistan while already lost the war in Afghanistan.

The US is not much interested in a peaceful Pakistan, he said, meanwhile warned politicians to become mature in order to stop Pakistan from political instability as the current situation could eventually turn the country into a war zone.

Pakistan faces a triple crisis

This is not the first tweet from Khalilzad about Pakistan as in 14 of this month he wrote that Pakistan faces a triple crisis: “political, economic, and security” and said that despite great potential, it is underperforming and falling far behind its archrival, India. It is time for serious soul-searching, bold thinking, and strategizing.

“The sequential cannibalizing of its leaders through jailing, execution, assassination, etc. is the wrong path. Arresting Imran Khan will only deepen the crisis. I urge two steps: 1. Set a date for national elections in early June to avert a meltdown,” he wrote in his tweet at that time.

“2. Use this time for the main political parties to confront what has gone wrong and propose a specific plan to rescue and put the country on a path to stability, security, and prosperity. Whichever party wins the election will have a mandate from the people on what must be done,” he furthered.

However, the Pakistan foreign ministry office strongly reacted to Khalilzad’s opinion and told him that his feedback is not needed.

“Pakistan does not need lectures or unsolicited advice from anyone on how to cope with the challenges we face today. As a resilient nation, we will come out stronger from the present difficult situation,” the office said.

Meanwhile, police arrested 316 PTI supporters for allegedly attacking police officers and causing chaos outside the Federal Judicial Complex on March 18.

Islamabad police in a tweet today accused PTI supporters of “incitement, arson, vandalism, and attacks on police.” It also warned that further raids will be carried later to arrest more people who fought with police to resist Khan’s arrest.