Severe crackdown against Imran Khan's supporters leads to mass arrests
- More than three dozen members of Imran Khan's party were sentenced to 10 years in prison by anti-terrorism courts for involvement in protests.
- Prominent party leaders and supporters faced severe crackdowns following Khan's arrest, raising concerns about procedural impropriety.
- The actions taken against the party are widely viewed as politically motivated efforts to undermine Khan's influence and challenge the government's stability.
In Pakistan, a wave of mass arrests has unfolded following the ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022. Many members and supporters of Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have been sentenced to 10 years in prison for their involvement in protests that erupted after Khan's arrest in May 2023. Anti-terrorism courts in Lahore and Sargodha handed down sentences, which included a prominent opposition leader, Malik Ahmad Bhachar. His conviction reflects a broader pattern of legal actions targeting PTI and its leadership since Khan's removal from office. Khan's arrest sparked widespread unrest, prompting violent protests targeting military and government property, including police stations and military installations. Following his arrest, approximately 4,000 individuals were detained during protests that resulted in numerous confrontations with security forces. While anti-government demonstrations intensified, authorities responded with a crackdown aimed at suppressing dissent, particularly against PTI members. Concurrently, Khan has been embroiled in various corruption charges, which his party and supporters argue are politically motivated efforts to prevent him from regaining power. In these trials, many of Khan's close associates have been sentenced alongside him, while others have faced separate admonitions. Notably, some members, including former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, were acquitted under similar charges, raising concerns about the inconsistency and fairness of the legal proceedings. Defence lawyers have highlighted the rushed nature of these trials, characterized by expedited hearings. Such actions have been perceived as part of a systematic strategy to dismantle PTI's influence and maintain the government coalition's grip on power. Furthermore, with Khan now facing more than 150 charges, the political landscape remains fraught with tension, suggesting that the government's approach may inadvertently fuel Khan's popularity among supporters and challenge the stability of the coalition government. Additionally, international observers have criticized the actions taken against Khan and his party as violations of constitutional rights, indicating that deeper political strife may linger in the country.