Arrest of Imran Khan Fallout

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested from a court in the capital Islamabad in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust, as he was indicted for allegedly selling state gifts from 2018 to 2022.

While the arrest itself was not unexpected, the aftermath unleashed a wave of destruction. Workers and supporters of the PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) took to the streets. However, two notable points emerged. Firstly, the first and second tier of PTI leadership was conspicuously absent physically. Secondly, a significant segment of the so-called “burger crowd” was missing in action. The atmosphere was devoid of the usual festive fervor and enthusiasm. Instead, the focus shifted to serious work.

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Sim connected mobile phone networks were shut down to make co-ordination for destruction difficult and TV services became unavailable in many cities in Punjab. A dam of audio leaks burst, revealing conversations that shed light on those who gave instructions to proceed towards the Core Commander residence in Lahore. Allegedly, Senator Ijaz Chaudhry and his son Ali Chaudhry were implicated in one audio, while Dr. Yasmeen Rashid and Mr. Ijaz Minhas were implicated in another. Two other audios also emerged, providing damning evidence of the planning by certain individuals against the best interests of the country.

Differences and disagreements are a natural part of politics. However, resolving them through civilized dialogue is the only way forward. Unfortunately, Mr. Khan seemed unwilling to engage in such discussions. His tendency to accuse institutions, individuals, and even nations (such as the United States) exemplifies what not to do in politics. Diplomacy is an art, and if a party leader cannot exercise diplomacy to safeguard the interests of his own party and his nation domestically, one may question their ability to represent Pakistan’s interests on the global stage.

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Leaders around the world are arrested and often face imprisonment or protracted trials, but they do not incite their followers to destroy public property or engage in conflict with the state. It is concerning that the leadership itself remains physically distant from such incidents.

The situation has taken an ugly turn. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has placed Khan in physical remand, which could potentially be extended or converted into judicial remand. Bail may be sought in the latter case, although its awarding seems unlikely given the gravity of the charges. Fawad Chaudhry has also been arrested, with more arrests expected to follow.

Once the dust settles, a power struggle within the PTI is inevitable as the party determines who will lead it.

The time for reckoning has come.

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About the author: Yasmeen Aftab Ali is a lawyer, academic, and political analyst. She is the author of the book titled ‘A Comparative Analysis of Media & Media Laws in Pakistan.’ She can be contacted at yasmeenali62@gmail.com and tweets at @yasmeen_9.

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