Imran Khan’s arrest in Islamabad High Court was sudden but not unexpected. For some time now, the government and its allies have been trying hard to arrest Imran Khan. There has been a crackdown in Zaman Park. This process was not stopped even in Ramadan. In fact, Imran Khan has been barely surviving due to the security guarantees given by the courts, but the threat was always looming over him.
Is this related to the London Plan?
Imran Khan has often mentioned the London Plan, which is believed to have been developed under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif. This plan reportedly involves the top leadership of PDM and all their allies. Some of the key points of the plan are described below:
Imran Khan should be arrested and detained, and multiple cases should be filed against him so that he remains incarcerated for several months. Meanwhile, the party should be weakened by disqualifying its members, and an election should be held to ensure a win. This plan is what Imran Khan has referred to as the London Plan. Now that Imran Khan has been arrested, we need to see if he receives prompt relief from the courts. If not, he may remain in custody for an extended period of time.
What happened in Islamabad?
Imran Khan had gone to the Islamabad High Court to secure his safety in some cases. While he was at the registry branch for biometrics, Rangers personnel stormed in, pushed back the resistance, shattered glass, and dragged Imran Khan away with them. Khan’s lawyers claim that he was also subjected to torture on the spot, and his injured leg was beaten with a cane. However, Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has denied these allegations.
It is uncommon for an accused to be arrested by NAB or police from the premises of the Islamabad High Court. The High Court has therefore issued a contempt of court notice to IG Islamabad and the concerned authorities, and ordered the registrar to file an FIR against them. However, the High Court deemed this arrest lawful, despite previous concerns from legal circles that it was illegal.
How was the response?
The arrest of Imran Khan sparked a highly intense and stormy public response. At first, there was silence for a couple of hours. However, as soon as news spread, PTI workers in different cities came out, burnt tires on roads, jammed traffic, closed markets, and held protests at various locations. The protests eventually turned aggressive and violent, resulting in vandalism and citizens being stranded on the streets for several hours.
Of greatest concern, PTI activists entered cantonment areas in various cities. In Lahore, they reached in front of the Corps Commander House, while in Pindi, they attempted to enter the GHQ. This was a mistake that could have been avoided. While the arrest of the Tehreek-e-Insaaf leader was a natural cause for protest, it should have remained peaceful and political. PTI workers and supporters seemed to have crossed red lines, and it remains to be seen what type of reaction this will attract.
What does PTI have to say?
The leadership of Tehreek-e-Insaaf remained largely inactive during the protests. In a city like Lahore, Insafin leaders should have come to the front to guide and control the workers, but no one other than Dr. Yasmeen Rashid seemed to be able to do it. This was a disastrous political mistake. Acting Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi issued a statement in which he appealed to the workers to remain calm, but this alone could not stop the angry workers. If Imran Khan had recorded a statement earlier appealing for peaceful protests, it might have been more effective. However, late at night, Secretary General Asad Umar stated on TV channels that not all protesters were PTI workers. There were ordinary people among them who were not bound by the party’s orders or policy line.
Was the reaction inadequate?
PML-N leader Ata Tarar claimed on television channels that the protest by PTI workers was not significant and only a few groups protested. However, this is a baseless and untrue statement. In Lahore, which is considered a stronghold of the Muslim League, the Tehreek-e-Insaaf protest was intense and caused everything to shut down. The mobile phone service, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social media platforms were shut down on Tuesday, May 9. This is a rare occurrence in the modern history of Pakistan. It’s not difficult to imagine how the news of shutting down social media platforms would have caused Pakistan to gain negative attention around the world.
What could happen next?
The current situation is expected to worsen in the coming days as the arrest of Imran Khan was done so aggressively that it seems unlikely that he will be released on bail anytime soon. The recent decision of the Islamabad High Court also made it clear that Khan will not get immediate relief. The situation is expected to escalate further as arrests of PTI workers involved in vandalism and violence are expected to take place in the coming days with the help of videos. Imran Khan has formed a committee consisting of party members, and its action plan is yet to be announced.
Will Tehreek-e-Insaaf be banned?
There is speculation that the government may attempt to ban Tehreek-e-Insaaf and charge Imran Khan with treason. While anything is possible, it is important to understand that the government cannot simply ban a political party without approval from the Supreme Court. The Constitution and the law require the Supreme Court’s confirmation before a ban on political parties can take effect, in order to protect their rights.
PTI has made a serious mistake by allowing the arrest of Imran Khan at the Islamabad High Court. However, due to the aggressive response of PTI workers at GHQ, Corps Commander House, and other locations, the government and NAB have now gained the upper hand. The protests have resulted in attacks on important places, vandalism of vehicles, and other violent acts. As a result, Tehreek-e-Insaf is now under severe pressure, and the emotional justice workers who do not understand this will come to realize the harsh reality in the coming days.
