Pakistan's Political Crisis: Imran Khan, PTI And Unrest - Explained

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's supporters reached D-Chowk in Islamabad's Red Zone, where most official buildings are located to protest the arrest of Khan. Khan has been accused under 150 charges, and is currently under arrest in the Cipher Case, where he is accused of selling information of national interest to outsiders. 

A Brief Political History of Pakistan

Following the 1971 Bangladesh war, Pakistan has been shuffling between civil government and military dictatorship. The political landscape was dominated by Bhuttos and Sharifs who formed Pakistan's People's Party (PP) and various permutations of Pakistan's Muslin League. The military took over during intervening periods of political void. Imran Khan upset the existing ecosystem, by starting  Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (Movement for Justice, PTI) in the late 1990s.

2022 Onwards : Pakistan Remains Turbulent

Imran Khan first came to power as Pakistan's Prime Minister. However, on 10th April 2022, Khan was ousted following a no-confidence motion. After his ouster, he started a movement calling for Pakistan's general elections. Khan led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to dissolve two of its assemblies, triggering elections in 60 per cent of the country in early 2023. He was arrested on 9th May 2023, leading to country-wide protests. Many PTI leaders were also arrested along with Khan. The PTI leader was released two days later on 11th May 2023. Many PTI leaders resigned from PTI and formed their own parties.

Khan was arrested again on 5th August 2023. On 24th August 2023, Shehbaz Sharif completed his term as the Prime Minister. Following Sharif's term, a caretaker government formed under Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on 14th August 2023.

Imran Khan's sentence was suspended on 29 August 2023. However, he remains arrested due to the Cipher Case, which alleged Khan was exposing the country's official secrets in 2023.

As of 2024 the new President of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shebaz Sharif remains in power. he assumed office on 4th March 2024. However, Imran Khan continues to be a popular leader. While Imran Khan remains under arrest, he has urged his supporters to continue protests, fighting till the end. 

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