Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political career has been a turbulent one, marked by his rise to power through his promises of reform and accountability, as well as his eventual fall from office amidst allegations and growing discontent. His recent incarceration, combined with his accusations against the current government, has only intensified the political divide in Pakistan. While behind bars, Khan has leveled serious allegations against the government, accusing them of manipulating the judiciary through constitutional amendments and using legal tools to ensure their grip on power. His calls for nationwide protests have stirred tensions, with Pakistan’s political landscape more polarized than ever.
The core of Khan’s recent criticism lies in the government’s proposed constitutional amendments, which he argues are designed to undermine judicial independence and centralize power. This battle is not just about legal reforms, but about the deeper power struggle between Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Khan’s message from his prison cell has been clear: the current government is attempting to erode the judiciary’s autonomy to neutralize political opponents and entrench itself. In a letter to the United Nations, Khan decried these amendments as a violation of democratic principles and judicial freedom, claiming that they aim to pave the way for political victimization. “The constitutional amendments being proposed by the current regime are not just an affront to democracy, but a direct attack on the very foundations of our judicial system,” Khan wrote. His call for protests against these measures has been taken up by PTI supporters, leading to widespread demonstrations across major cities.
The PTI leadership has been vocal in supporting Khan’s stance. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated, “The government is deliberately trying to weaken the judiciary because they know that a strong, independent judiciary stands in the way of their political survival. They want to control every institution that could hold them accountable.” Similarly, former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi described the amendments as a “legal coup” designed to dismantle checks and balances that are essential for a functioning democracy. PTI leaders have repeatedly warned that these moves will push the country towards authoritarianism, a claim the government has dismissed as fear-mongering.
From the government’s perspective, however, the amendments are a necessary step towards judicial reform and accountability. PDM leaders argue that the judiciary has been politicized for years and has often been used to settle political scores. Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar defended the amendments, saying, “These changes are meant to ensure judicial transparency and reduce political interference in the judicial process. The judiciary should not be a tool for any political party to weaponize against its rivals.” He went on to accuse the PTI of using the judiciary during Khan’s tenure to undermine political opponents, adding that the amendments would ensure no party could manipulate the courts for political gain.
Amid these legal and constitutional wranglings, the shadow of Khan’s imprisonment looms large over the political discourse. His incarceration has been controversial, with PTI leaders accusing the government of orchestrating his downfall through a series of politically motivated cases. Khan has been entangled in a web of legal challenges, ranging from corruption allegations to charges related to violent protests organized by PTI supporters. His supporters claim that the charges are an attempt to sideline Khan from the political arena ahead of the upcoming elections.
In the eyes of his opponents, however, Khan’s imprisonment is a consequence of his own actions. The ruling PDM has repeatedly pointed to the legal cases against Khan as evidence of his involvement in corruption and abuse of power during his time in office. “Imran Khan’s narrative of being a victim is nothing but an attempt to distract from his own legal troubles,” said Maryam Nawaz, a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Chief Minister of Punjab. “He has to face the consequences of his actions like any other citizen.”
Despite these legal challenges, Khan remains a potent political force, and his imprisonment has only emboldened his supporters. PTI activists have taken to the streets in large numbers, protesting not only Khan’s detention but also what they perceive as an orchestrated campaign to silence opposition voices. These protests have led to clashes with security forces in several cities, further escalating tensions. The government’s heavy-handed response to the demonstrations, including arrests and detentions of PTI activists, has drawn criticism from human rights groups who argue that the government is using the police to suppress dissent.
This volatile political environment has sparked concerns among observers about the future of democracy in Pakistan. With Khan rallying his supporters from behind bars and the government facing accusations of authoritarianism, the country finds itself at a dangerous crossroads. Many fear that the escalating political conflict could destabilize Pakistan at a time when the nation is already grappling with economic challenges and regional instability.
Moreover, the broader implications of this power struggle cannot be ignored. Pakistan has a history of political upheaval, where governments have frequently used legal tools to sideline opponents, leading to long-term instability. Khan’s incarceration and the government’s proposed amendments have revived old fears that Pakistan’s democracy remains fragile, vulnerable to manipulation by those in power.
The international community, too, is watching these developments closely. Khan’s appeal to the United Nations, highlighting concerns about judicial independence and democratic erosion, has raised eyebrows. While the UN has not formally commented on the situation, Khan’s move underscores the global attention on Pakistan’s political trajectory. International watchdogs, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have called for transparency and fairness in Khan’s legal battles, warning against politically motivated prosecutions.
Looking ahead, the stakes are high for both Khan and the PDM government. Khan’s call for nationwide protests is likely to intensify in the coming weeks, particularly as his legal battles continue. PTI leaders have vowed to keep the pressure on the government, with Barrister Gohar stating, “We will not stop until the people of Pakistan have their voices heard and their democracy restored.” On the other hand, the government seems determined to push ahead with its agenda, including the proposed constitutional amendments.
The coming months will likely see further legal battles, street protests, and political maneuvering as both sides vie for control of the narrative. Whether Khan’s imprisonment becomes a rallying point for PTI’s resurgence or a sign of his political decline remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Pakistan’s political crisis is far from over, and its outcome will shape the country’s future for years to come.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
