​Protest nation: On the state of Pakistan

Another mass protest. Another shutdown of the capital city. And another violent crackdown on the protesters by the security forces. Pakistan is witnessing circles of crises, with a prolonged showdown between the military-backed government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. In the latest episode, PTI supporters marched towards the capital, after Mr. Khan made the “final call” for protests, demanding the release of their leader and other party functionaries. The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had taken many preventive measures — thousands of PTI workers were arrested, security forces blocked city entrances with shipping containers and tens of thousands of forces were deployed. Still, many of the protesters managed to reach D-Chowk, the main protest town square in Islamabad. The PTI later called off the rally temporarily after the protesters were pushed back by the security personnel. But their main demands remain unchanged, and given the pattern of protests in Islamabad in recent years, it could only be a matter of time before the PTI launches another ‘long march’.

Mr. Khan, in jail for more than a year, has a list of grievances. Once a favourite of Pakistan’s powerful establishment, he had back-to-back political and legal setbacks after falling out of favour with the generals in 2022. He faces over 150 criminal cases. There was a crackdown on the PTI ahead of the February elections and it was barred from using its popular ‘cricket bat’ poll symbol. Still, PTI candidates, who contested as independents, emerged as the largest bloc in the new Parliament. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan People’s Party joined hands with smaller parties to form a coalition government, with the establishment’s blessings. Mr. Khan says the election was rigged and the cases against him politically motivated. Despite the crackdown, the PTI possesses enormous street power and Mr. Khan’s calls from jail for protests have set the country towards a prolonged showdown. And this is happening at a time when Pakistan, which has entered into a deal with the IMF for a $7 billion bailout package, is struggling to stabilise an economy battered by hyperinflation, a falling currency, and depleting reserves. Political instability is making the painful economic recovery even more complicated. The military and government have, so far, taken a no-compromise approach. Their attempts to break the PTI and Mr. Khan’s political base have barely been successful. Mr. Khan has proved that he can continue to challenge the establishment even from within his jail cell. For political stability and a healthy economic recovery, Pakistan’s establishment should be willing to heed the pro-democracy protesters.