In a new development, the exodus of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s colleagues from his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf continues in the wake of a brutal crackdown by the military-backed establishment. A few important questions have arisen due to this recent development. Firstly, will Mr. Khan be disqualified from holding public office by the time the elections are held later this year? Secondly, will he have enough candidates with credibility to put up for the 342-member assembly? Of which, 272 seats will be up for direct election.
As Mr. Khan has been in the crosshairs of the coalition government and especially the military, he has managed to survive so far due to the support of the country’s President, appointed by him, and Chief Justice of Supreme Court, who has granted him relief from time to time. However, with both these functionaries due to finish their terms in the next three months or so, those protections will no longer be available.
Pakistan’s establishment, comprising its generals and politicians of the country’s older political parties, have too much to lose from a possible PTI victory for them to bother about democratic niceties. For this reason, they might seek a way to ensure Mr. Khan is not a part of the political equation, even if such a step carries with it the risk of international condemnation.
Despite being popular among the masses, Mr. Khan’s apparent irreverence towards the military, a suffocating presence in the country almost since its independence, has placed a target on his back. He carries the taint of several charges leveled against him, including misappropriation from the official toshakhana or the state treasure-house. However, these pale in comparison to the serial acts of corruption his rivals are guilty of.
Mr. Khan’s status as a national cricketing icon, one who secured the first World Cup victory for the country, remains intact. His rabble-rousing brand of politics endears him to many, especially young voters. Even if candidates Mr. Khan puts up are unknown, there is a reasonable chance the PTI would do well in the national election if he was around to lead it.
It is this clear and present danger that might force Pakistan’s establishment to take drastic action to ensure Mr. Khan is not a part of the political equation. Such a step will risk international condemnation and shine a spotlight on the democratic niceties of the country. However, the establishment seems willing to do whatever it takes to prevent a PTI victory and its inevitable repercussions.
