Despite the formation of a new government, the political turmoil is unlikely to subside anytime soon. Ousted prime minister Imran Khan has once again demanded fresh elections and threatened to call for protests if his demands are not met.
Addressing a large rally in Lahore – the third such public gathering since he lost power to file pressure on the new government – Imran asked him supporters to be ready for his call to march towards Islamabad if his demand for new elections is rebuffed. The question whether the government will accede to his demand and if incase elections are held, will Imran Khan be able to come to power.
In a veiled warning to the establishment, Imran Khan gave an ultimatum to those who have ousted him to rectify their “mistake” by holding early elections or else his supporters will reach the federal capital to overthrow the “imported government”. Imran said he doesn’t want confrontation and the narrative that he has spreading could put him on a dangerous path.
The narrative which he earlier stated that there was a foreign conspiracy to oust him from power also seems to have fallen apart after the latest meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC). The civil-military huddle issued a statement that security agencies found no evidence of conspiracy. Imran Khan has stated the military is more important than him and has never spoken against the armed forces.
The upcoming months could be disruptive for Pakistan’s politics. Imran Khan could prove to be a highly-effective opposition leader and had already warned he would prove to more destructive when pushed out of power. He famously camped in Islamabad for 126 days in protest against election rigging in 2014 and continues to draw large crowds at public gatherings.
The situation suggest that Imran Khan remains a popular leader even after being ousted. There are still doubts being raised over how long the fragile coalition of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will remain intact. Imran Khan’s narrative that he is a crusader against foreign interference will certainly become more relevant in comings days.
The coming months could see the political crisis get worse. The government might cave in to demands for early elections, knowing well it is the only way for last political and economic stability.
