Pakistan is burning after the arrest of Imran Khan from Islamabad High Court. Imran’s supporters have torched the Governor’s House as well as several army offices. According to the Government of Pakistan, 5 officers have been seriously injured so far in the violence and arson.
Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also appealed for a nationwide protest on Wednesday. PTI supporters will gherao the houses of top army officers in Lahore and Punjab province. PTI says that one of their workers has been killed in police action.
This is the first time after the formation of Pakistan, when its army is on the radar of the public and any political party. Stones have also been pelted on the army in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore, Rawalpindi. Imran’s supporters say that he was arrested because of the army.
Britain and America have issued a statement on the deteriorating situation in Pakistan. The current situation in Pakistan has increased the concern of India as well. India is keeping an eye on the neighboring country. The Government of India is concerned about the security of the Diplomatic Mission and Indian diplomats in Islamabad.
India needs to be on the most alert from the situation flourishing in Pakistan, why? Let’s know it in detail…
1. Army on the radar of the protesters- According to Michael Kugelman, director of South Asia at The Wilson Center, such an attack on the army in Pakistan is unimaginable. The way Imran supporters have raided the army’s property, its credibility is in danger.
After the formation of Pakistan, the Pakistan Army has played a major role in gaining power and running it. Questions have also been raised many times regarding the interference of the army, but never this kind of attack has been done on the army. Imran supporters say that the army has crossed the red line.
Due to the presence of the army on the radar of the protesters, India will have to remain alert. Because to divert the attention, Pakistani army can carry out any incident. Whenever the credibility of the army in Pakistan is in danger, Pakistan attacks India.
Sensing the danger, India has issued an alert on the LoC and directed to increase vigil on the borders. Intelligence Bureau and RAW have also been put on alert, so that they can get information about the plan of Pakistan Army.
In 2011 and 2013, Pakistan’s army has done a cowardly attack on the Indian army. In 2013, 12 Indian soldiers were martyred. Apart from this, Pakistan also tries to infiltrate the border of India through terrorists.
2. One has to remain alert in the field of business as well- There is a possibility of political instability in Pakistan after the arrest of Imran Khan. According to Pakistan affairs expert Waqir Sajjad, Imran has been arrested to keep him away from the election.
Sajjad further says- PTI has sent a clear message to the supporters that the army and the government together will blame Imran, due to which Imran will not be able to contest the next election. General elections are proposed in Pakistan in October 2023.
If this kind of atmosphere persists in Pakistan till the general elections, then India may also face a setback in the field of business. The Government of India had recently informed the Parliament that in April-December 2022, there was a total trade of $1.35 billion between the two countries.
India buys cement, leather goods and dry fruits etc. from Pakistan. Violent atmosphere prevails in Pakistan, if the supply stops, then India will have to consider another option.
3. The issue of security of diplomats also- In 2019, India had recalled several diplomats after the spat. However, the Embassy of India in Pakistan is still functioning. From officers to small employees have also been deployed in the embassy.
The way the situation is getting worse in Pakistan, the issue of security of these employees has also become important. The Government of India has said to keep a close watch on the situation in Pakistan.
The Government and the Diplomatic Mission working there need to be on alert so that the Indian High Commission does not come under the grip of the protesters. Otherwise Pakistani protesters will not take time to execute the big incident.
Why did Imran’s issue get entangled in Pakistan?
Imran Khan was on the target of Pakistan’s army and government only after leaving power. Imran was continuously attacking Shahbaz government and senior army officers through statements.
Recently, Imran Khan had called the army chief of Pakistan as the emperor. Khan had said that the army people consider the general public as slaves. Imran had also told himself a threat from the army.
Many questions have arisen after Imran’s arrest in Pakistan. For example, what will happen next in Pakistan? What can be the attitude of the army towards the people of Pakistan?
1. Martial law is discussed the most- In Pakistan, the Supreme Court has ordered elections in Punjab and Sindh provinces by May 14. The Supreme Court had said that if elections are not held, it would be considered contempt of court.
Meanwhile, the arrest of Imran is also being linked to this. Imran’s supporters say that he has been arrested only because of talking about democracy.
After the arrest of Imran in Pakistan, there is a lot of discussion about the imposition of martial law. It is being said to implement it to stop the way the army camps are being attacked.
With this, the Shahbaz government will get two benefits immediately. Firstly, elections will not have to be held in Punjab and Sindh due to imposition of martial law. The second advantage is that Imran’s supporters will not be able to go uncontrollable due to the imposition of martial law.
Martial law has been imposed in Pakistan four times before. After the imposition of martial law, the power will shift from Shahbaz to the army chief.
2. Relief to Imran, elections can be held- The matter of Imran’s arrest has reached the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Pakistan Supreme Court has given relief to Imran in many cases till now. Many of these cases were of Imran vs army.
If Imran gets relief, then the army will be directly challenged. If martial law is not implemented then elections will have to be held in Pakistan. In such a situation, Imran will have the upper hand.
Imran has said in a video message that he is the last hope of democracy in Pakistan. That’s why people get out of the house. If elections are held in Pakistan, it will prove to be a big blow for the army.
Things will get worse after Imran episode
After the arrest of Imran Khan and the violence in Pakistan, there are possibilities of the situation getting worse there. Pakistan’s leading newspaper Dawn has written in an editorial – On one hand the country is on the verge of defaulter and people are suffering from inflation. On the other hand, the political temperature is being increased by arresting Imran Khan.
The newspaper has further written – After the arrest of Imran, there will be ruckus in the country, everyone knew this. Why was he arrested then? There is a big question on the policy of the government. Will arresting Imran Khan solve the problem?
Michael Kugelman says that after the kind of situation in Pakistan, the International Monetary Fund would hardly consider giving funds. Pakistan, which is facing economic crisis, is still dependent on the IMF.
Overall, the situation in Pakistan can get worse due to the onset of political crisis along with the economic crisis.
Know as you go what has happened in Imran’s case so far?
In the Qadir Trust case, Imran Khan was arrested by the Punjab Rangers from the Islamabad High Court. Imran had come here to appear in a case.
After the arrest of Imran Khan, his party appealed to the people to take to the streets. Supporters created a lot of uproar in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Faisalabad.
– Islamabad High Court heard the arrest. In its decision late last night, it was declared legal. Here, raids were conducted at the houses of several PTI leaders.
– Britain and America issued a statement and advised Pakistan to adopt a democratic way. Britain also issued a tour advisory for its people.
– The Government of Pakistan said in a statement that Imran Khan has been kept in the guest house. A court will be set up there and their case will be heard.
– Imran Khan’s party has reached the Supreme Court and demanding his release calling the arrest illegal. Imran Khan The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the matter.
