No-Confidence Vote Shakes Pakistan

Asif Khan

Islamabad: Pakistan is navigating an exceptionally challenging phase. While the country’s political path has been marked by adversity since its inception, the current political turmoil presents an unparalleled threat to its endurance. This turmoil seemingly stemmed from the orchestrated removal of Imran Khan’s PTI government through a vote of no-confidence in April 2022.

For many, this was a regime change operation instigated by America and its allies in cahoot with Imran Khan’s political foes, dismayed by a change in Pakistan’s foreign policy, particularly about Russia and China.

With Imran Khan at the helm, Pakistan played a pivotal role in the Afghanistan conflict, which resulted in America and NATO withdrawing their forces somewhat unceremoniously. Pakistan also took a firm stance on Kashmir and Palestine issues, much to the annoyance of India and Israel, both considered to be strong American allies in the changing world order.

Therefore, Imran Khan had to go.

At home, Imran Khan’s open and unabated criticism of Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari’s families, two of Pakistan’s political elite families in control of two of the largest political parties, namely, PML-N and PPP, did not endear him to them.

He was blamed and personally held responsible by the Sharif family for the imprisonment of Nawaz Sharif, the political oligarch of the PML-N, while in the same breath accusing Zardari of stealing the public purse.

This made him an obvious target for the political elites, who went about his demise mercilessly in order to dislodge him. ‘This suited the American game plan’. Also, in months leading to his removal, he had also lost favour with the military establishment, thus becoming very exposed and isolated on too many fronts.

Therefore, America and its allies, the established political parties, and the all-powerful military lined up to ensure Imran Khan’s downfall.

The removal of Imran Khan and his PTI government paved the way for the’stop-gap’ government of PDM, a coalition of PML-N, PPP, and various dispirited political factions that had nothing in common but their dislike of Imran Khan. Shehbaz Sharif became the prime minister of a makeshift political alliance comprising almost all opponents of Imran Khan.

Read More:https://thepenpk.com/2023-political-landscape/

With PDM in power, a merciless strategy was put into action to isolate and discredit Imran Khan. Immediately, all the initiatives and reforms of the PTI government in health, industry, tourism, and education sectors were unapologetically halted with punitive disregard.

All was done, despite the fact that the country was heading towards bankruptcy with rising debts, political turmoil, economic ruin, declining currency, rising inflation, rocketing costs of living, and isolation on the world stage. To add to the agony of the dwindling national reserves, overseas remittances also reduced significantly.

After 15 months of disastrous performance, PDM vacated its tenure, replacing it by another interim government led by Anawrul Haq Kakar from the province of Baluchistan, ‘with a single agenda responsibility to clear the path for the country’s now that Imran Khan and his PTI party were removed out of the way’. The date for the next general elections was set for February 8, 2024.

However, the situation on the ground remains extremely volatile. The credible public opinion polls consistently point to the popularity of Imran Khan’s PTI throughout the country in all provinces. This despite a belligerent organised campaign to character assassinate him and his staunch allies.

On May 9th, Imran Khan was arrested from inside the Islamabad court as he was attending the court hearing by the security forces, and his lawyers were brutally assaulted in the court. The images of his arrest caused countrywide protests throughout Pakistan.

The public’s response was instantaneous. People were on the streets demanding his immediate release. In some cities, things went out of control, and some miscreants attacked military installations. This provided an opportunity for the authorities to indiscriminately arrest scores of PTI’s supporters, including women. These are still waiting for fair trials.

Read More:https://thepenpk.com/2023-pakistans-trials-tribulations/

On May 11th, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared the arrest of Imran Khan by the Islamabad Court to be illegal, ordering his release. However, in the 48 hours that ensued, widespread allegations of police raids in Punjab on the homes of PTI activists were reported.

Imran Khan was again arrested on August 5, 2023, and sentenced for three years on account of selling state gifts. This sentence was later rescinded by the apex court, ordering his release. But the authorities had no intention of releasing him. He is being held on the alleged charges of leaking state secrets under the Official Secrets Act. The authorities have even stooped so low as to question the legality of his marriage.

It does not stop there. The PTI is prevented from holding rallies. Its candidates are being stopped from lodging their election papers. There are reports of police being directed to harass and intimidate candidates and their families. Authorities are turning a blind eye to the harassment of PTI candidates by their opponents. Overseas Pakistanis’ right to vote has been withdrawn

The Chief Election Commissioner and the Chief Justice of Pakistan are silent on human rights violations and the crackdown on PTI activists. In contrast, a convicted and fugitive former prime minister has been brought back without recourse to justice in a deal hatched by Imran Khan’s political opponents, the military establishment, and American agents.

It is not about Khan, Sharif, or Zardari being right and wrong; it is about the survival of Pakistan as a self-respecting nation. It is about the people of Pakistan fulfilling their aspirations to elect a government of their choice, not having one imposed on them. It is democracy at stake that has been denied for too long over the past 76 years.

The writer, a dedicated community rights activist and media figure, has spearheaded various community organizations, notably the Pakistan Kashmir United Forum, Pakistan Club, and Overseas Pakistan Solidarity.