What's happened
Supporters of ex-PM Khan face mass arrests as Pakistan's government bans protests. Police used force in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi to disperse rallies calling for Khan's release amid ongoing political tensions. Supporters say charges are politically motivated.
What's behind the headline?
The Pakistani government’s crackdown on PTI supporters reflects a broader effort to suppress political dissent amid ongoing tensions between Khan’s party and the military-backed establishment. The mass arrests and bans on gatherings aim to weaken PTI’s street power, which remains significant despite the repression. This strategy indicates the government’s intent to prevent Khan from mobilizing mass protests, but it risks escalating unrest and further polarizing the political landscape. The international community’s response may influence Pakistan’s internal stability, but the government appears committed to maintaining control through force. The next phase will likely see continued suppression, with Khan’s supporters potentially shifting tactics or increasing clandestine activities. The political crisis underscores the fragility of Pakistan’s democracy and the ongoing struggle for civilian political space.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that police used batons and tear gas in Lahore and Karachi, with many arrests including Rehana Dar, a PTI politician, and others in Rawalpindi. The New Arab highlights the heavy police presence and the suppression of protests across multiple cities, with PTI claiming thousands of supporters detained. Al Jazeera emphasizes the scale of arrests, particularly in Lahore, and Khan’s call for peaceful protests despite government bans. All sources agree that the crackdown is intense and politically motivated, aiming to stifle PTI’s street influence while Khan remains popular among supporters. The contrasting perspectives mainly lie in the tone: The Independent focuses on the police actions and arrests, The New Arab underscores the widespread repression, and Al Jazeera highlights Khan’s continued call for peaceful resistance despite the crackdown.
How we got here
Khan, a former cricket star and prime minister, was ousted in 2022 amid political and military tensions. Since his arrest in May 2023, his supporters have organized protests, which the government has suppressed through bans and arrests. Khan's convictions on corruption charges in January further intensified the conflict, with his party claiming political persecution.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why is Pakistan cracking down on PTI protests?
Recent events in Pakistan have seen a heavy crackdown on protests by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party, PTI. The government has used force to disperse rallies, arresting many supporters amid ongoing political tensions. This raises questions about the reasons behind the crackdown, its impact on political stability, and what might happen next. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this situation to help you understand what's really going on in Pakistan today.
More on these topics
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Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi HI PP is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Pakistan and the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
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Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country with a population exceeding 212.2 million. It is the 33rd-largest country by area, spanning 881,913 square kilometres.
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The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is a political party in Pakistan established in 1996 by cricketer and politician Imran Khan, who served as the country's prime minister from 2018 to 2022. The party is led by Gohar Ali Khan since late 2023. The PTI ranks